Sixth-grader seated at Obama’s table for winning recipe

Samuel Davis and his mother, Roslyn, did not expect to sit next to first lady Michelle Obama at the White House State Dinner after the 11-year-old won the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge contest for Louisiana.

The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge is part of the first lady’s Let’s Move campaign, encouraging children ages 8-12 to submit healthy, tasty, affordable and original recipes following USDA’s MyPlate recommendations. The 55 winners attended the Kids’ State Dinner with the first lady July 10. The winners and guests dined on a selection of the winning recipes.

After nearly 1,000 total entries and 55 winning entries, they also did not expect the first lady to talk about Sam’s Southern Savoring Salmon Supreme, also known as S to the 5th Power, in her opening speech. The first lady only specifically mentioned three recipes, and S to the 5th Power was in the spotlight on the fifth anniversary of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.

“It’s totally God for us. We didn’t realize that this is the fifth year, and our recipe was S to the 5th Power.

We had no idea,” Roslyn said.

Samuel, who will be in the sixth grade at Caddo Middle Magnet this fall, created a recipe using salmon, his favorite meat, and his favorite fresh vegetables to create the winning recipe. He drew inspiration from his family garden, which provided the vegetables for his dish.

The fresh okra represents the South, he said, creating a meal with Southern flavors but without the traditional Southern calorie punch. S to the 5th Power is only 443 calories per serving.

Only four of the winners were selected to sit with Michelle. When Samuel and his mother took their picture with the first lady before the meal, she told them, “You’re sitting at my table.”

“We were sitting next to first lady Michelle Obama as if she was at my dinner table. I felt like I was actually watching TV. It was so surreal,” Roslyn said.

“First lady Mrs. Michelle Obama was very friendly. You could talk to her like you talk to your friend,” Samuel said.

For a day already filled with surprises, the mother and son were shocked again when a surprise guest joined them for dinner: President Barack Obama. “I’ve always dreamed of meeting the president.

I had no idea he was going to come in,” Samuel said.

After their meal, the winners toured the White House Kitchen Garden, which was one of Samuel’s favorite parts of the day.

“It inspired me because I learned I could do more with my garden and share it with others,” he said. Gardening is important to Samuel because he said it’s an easy and affordable way to get healthy ingredients.

Roslyn said Samuel is the healthy eating ambassador for their family, tending to the garden and encouraging family members to make healthier choices.

“When my mom makes rice, I tell her to get brown rice because it’s healthier,” Samuel said. He also goes to the grocery store with his mother to help her make healthy choices. He’s excited about the Whole Foods Market location in Shreveport opening this year.

Roslyn is focusing on documenting the entire experience while it is still fresh on their minds; she took over 500 pictures during their visit to the White House. She wants Samuel to understand the magnitude of this experience down the road. She also wants her son to share what he’s learned with others.

“My whole outlook is that he shares it with other children so they can be empowered as well,” she said. Roslyn wants for Samuel and others to remember that the experience was “totally God orchestrated.”

“To go to the White House is one thing. To sit next to the first lady is another,” she said. The experience has allowed Samuel to make new friends from across the nation, experience traveling and learn the importance of setting goals. “He’s learning there’s a world larger than where he lives. We’re not sure if he’ll become a chef, but this whole experience has been so rewarding. He’s learned that if you’re passionate about something, you can achieve it.”

To see Samuel’s recipe and the rest of the winning recipes, go to letsmove.gov/ kids-state-dinner-winners.

–Tara Bullock