Joanne Williams
Editor

(Photo by Joanne Williams/TCJ: Nine-year-old Addie Harris has taken letter-writing to heart in her correspondence with the President.)

 

Imagine writing a letter to the president and getting a response.

Fourth-grader Addalyn Harris does not have to imagine. She made it happen.

Nine-year-old Addalyn attends Olivet Middle School. 

She said she has been interested in the government and found George Washington interesting. She shared what she knew about him, especially his visage on Mount Rushmore. 

One day, it popped in her head, Addie said, that she should write our current president.

She did not think it likely she would hear back. But, with the typing assistance of great-grandmother Diane Maihofer of Olivet, Addalyn dictated her letter, mailed on October 31, 2025.

It reads, in part, “My name is Addie…My great grandma is typing this for me, but these are my opinions and feelings about the Constitution and you…I think the Constitution is great….When I was younger, I thought George Washington was the coolest President, but now I think that both of you are very cool…I have been wondering what you are doing right now…I have to go now. Please send me a letter telling me how you feel.”

Maihofer confirmed that Addie said all that was included in the letter. “I am very proud. She is a thoughtful young lady,” Maihofer said. Addie has three younger siblings that she helps care for and enjoys karate, dance and swimming. “She gives it her all,” said Maihofer.

On December 15, 2025, her father greeted her by saying she had a surprise waiting. Addie thought it might be a cat or a dog, but then she saw the letter from the White House. “I was so excited. I started jumping around,” she said.

The letter, on White House stationary, does indeed bear the signature of Donald Trump, who wrote: “Dear Addie, Thank you for your wonderful letter. The First Lady and I are inspired by your kind words and heartened by your support…Always remember that you are surrounded by people who love and care about you. Stand strong in your beliefs and tough in your defense of the values that make our Nation great.”

Addie said this is the first letter she has ever written to a president. It might not be her last. She will be proudly sharing her letter with her classmates for show and tell.

Addie enjoys reading, especially graphic novels, When she grows up, she is thinking of becoming a judge.