First Lady Melania Trump visits western NC elementary school, commends community for its resilience and discusses AI
First Lady Melania Trump visited Mountain View Elementary School in Ashe County on Sept. 15, where she spoke about the strength and resilience of the community there, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, according to a recent press release. She visited the area in January 2025, at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, where her husband delivered remarks on recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
During her remarks this week, she spoke about the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024, but the press release said she “highlighted the forward-looking spirit of North Carolinians” who were affected by the storm. She told her audience that she was “so proud” of all of them because she believed their story was “incredible.”
“North Carolina is the definition of resilience,” the First Lady said. “Toughness in times of adversity is ingrained in the Tar Heel State’s character. It is easy to discover resilience within the courage of Ashe County’s families, the strength of this community, and the determination of its people to rise when needed.”
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Mrs. Trump praised the community for the many ways they supported each other during and after Helene, and she specifically noted the impact that teachers and schools had on recovery efforts.
“Teachers became anchors of stability, and your school turned into more than a place to learn,” she said. “It turned into a lifeline, providing food, water, supplies, counseling, and hope.”
The First Lady recognized Mountain View’s Assistant Principal Cynthia Harless, calling her an “American hero” for checking on the school after Helene struck and continually volunteering at the school’s distribution center, “providing critical supplies to families and neighbors in need.”
Ashe County Schools thanked the First Lady for her recognition of their work and the reminder of their community’s ability to come together when its most needed.
“We are incredibly blessed to call Ashe County home — and so thankful for the people who continue to show what it means to care for one another,” said the district in a Facebook post. “We’re thankful for how all our schools, administrators, educators, and volunteers stepped up during Helene and since.”
Explore more of EdNC’s Helene coverage
Mrs. Trump was also joined by Carrie Robledo, a second grade teacher in North Carolina, who was the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champion. The press release said the First Lady “praised Ms. Robledo’s innovative work introducing young students to artificial intelligence.”
“Ms. Robledo built something that no hurricane can destroy, and no flood can wash away: knowledge. And knowledge is power,” the First Lady said.
BE BEST Fostering the Future — Mrs. Trump’s initiative to support education — along with the California tech company NVIDIA, and the AI Learning Platform StudyFetch, gifted 1,500 students in the district AI Literacy training licenses and 100 Robotics Learning Kits.
“These new tools allow students to explore artificial intelligence and physical AI, develop technical skills, and bring their creative ideas to life,” the release says.
Watch the video of the First Lady’s remarks here, and read her full remarks below:
Hello everyone and thank you for welcoming me back to North Carolina. It’s such an honor to meet the inspirational people from Ashe County and Mountain View Elementary School. I am so proud of you all.
To Dr. Cox, Mr. Graybeal, educators, students, administrators, and the brave families of Mountain View, thank you for welcoming me here today. Your story is incredible.
North Carolina is the definition of resilience.
Toughness in times of adversity is ingrained in the Tar Heel State’s character. It is easy to discover resilience within the courage of Ashe County’s families, the strength of this community, and the determination of its people to rise when needed.
Almost two years ago, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina with incredible force. Record-breaking rainfall led your state legislature to describe it as “multiple 1,000-year flood events.” Hundreds of roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed. Over one million people lost power, and many neighborhoods lost water, communications, and other vital services. Including, Ashe County.
Tragically, 108 lives were lost.
For children here at Mountain View Elementary, the storm took away much more than just your daily routine. Your neighborhood was flooded and your school was transformed into a distribution center. For too many kids across the state, the familiar daily routines of classrooms, teachers, and friends were suddenly gone.
But, as the water levels rose, you stepped up for one another. Families welcomed others into their homes, brave individuals rushed toward the danger to assist, and faith leaders gave comfort.
Teachers became anchors of stability, and your school turned into more than a place to learn. It turned into a lifeline, providing food, water, supplies, counseling, and hope.
Mountain View’s Assistant Principal Cynthia Harless is an American hero. When Hurricane Helene struck, Cynthia drove to check on the school. Soon thereafter, floodwaters washed away the roads, leaving Cynthia and her family unable to return home. Rather than focus on her own hardship, she spent the next four weeks volunteering at Mountain View Elementary’s distribution center, providing critical supplies to families and neighbors in need.
All of America saw your town’s strength, Mountain View.
Resilience, however, is more than just being strong and rebuilding what was lost. True resilience means having the courage to look ahead and move society forward, creating a better future for our children.
And less than two years after Helene, North Carolina did just that.
Through the Presidential AI Challenge, students and teachers from North Carolina took the national stage, inspired by what’s possible. One of America’s 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champions came from right here in North Carolina.
Ms. Carrie Robledo, a second-grade teacher at Star Elementary School, created “AI Insect Detectives.” She introduced young children to artificial intelligence using science, curiosity, and the natural world. Ms. Robledo traveled three hours to meet us here today. Carrie, you are a national champion — please come up and join me.
Think about that remarkable journey: from floodwaters to the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. Ms. Robledo built something that no hurricane can destroy and no flood can wash away: knowledge.
And knowledge is power.
Knowledge gives everyone in this town the chance to move beyond Helene and to imagine new possibilities. It gives the next generation the choice to help create a beautiful world in the future — a better America.
That is the lasting spirit of America. We may face hard times, but we do not fail. We choose to grow like a rare young flower pushing through the cold earth after a storm.
North Carolina has shown that resilience can blossom even in the most difficult times. In this community, the storm didn’t have the final word.
Ashe County and Mountain View Elementary — you are the spirit of America! It is wonderful to be with all of the students at Mountain View today. You kids are the stars!
Shortly, I will visit your classrooms, and I cannot wait to see what you have been learning.
I am especially excited to hear about your work with AI. As you begin this new school year, remember to take your education seriously, stay curious, and always challenge yourself. And, I have a special surprise to help jumpstart that curiosity.
BE BEST Fostering the Future and NVIDIA have joined together to provide 1,500 students in Ashe County with Study Fetch subscriptions. We have also arranged to provide 100 Jetson Nano Developer Kits for the young ones here at Mountain View Elementary as well as for other schools in the district. Dream big and use these AI tools to build something never created before. Maybe one of you will create the next great robot. And if you do, make sure you bring it to the White House to show me!