Student suggestion gets presidential reply

Ricky Carrillo, 8, a third-grade student at Roche Elementary, received a letter Monday from an influential person — President of the United States Barack Obama.

The letter was in response to one Ricky wrote during Christmas break, suggesting an idea to stop drunken drivers from killing innocent people.

Ricky’s suggestion was simple — to shut down all of the beer factories, thus eliminating people from drinking and driving.

He received the reply Monday.

“He was so excited and speechless when his principal and I went into his classroom to present him with his package from The White House,” said his mother, Beatrice Carrillo.

The letter, dated Jan. 24, thanked Ricky for writing. It also included a signed photograph of President Barack Obama.

“I always appreciate hearing from young Americans like you, and I am glad you took the time to share your views with me,” the letter, with a signature stamp, said.

It went on to talk about creative ideas and inquisitive minds of students and praised his eagerness to engage in discussing important issues.

“Remember, you can achieve great things when you work hard, believe in yourself and try each day to help those around you,” Obama’s letter said. “Our country is counting on you to be the best student you can be, so set your sights high, seek out new challenges, and know I expect great things from you as you chart the course of our Nation’s unwritten history.”