First Lady Melania Trump returned to North Carolina to visit Mountain View Elementary School in Ashe County, nearly two years after her initial visit to a community devastated by Hurricane Helene.

“True resilience means having the courage to look ahead and move society forward, creating a better future,” the First Lady said.

This visit shared a different story: one of resilience and a community determined to move forward. Mrs. Trump’s return denoted a new chapter in the western North Carolina regional recovery. Her first visit came in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, when the focus was on comforting survivors, thanking first responders, and confronting the extraordinary destruction left behind.

Mrs. Trump highlighted the forward-looking spirit of North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene, and their accelerated journey to the forefront of artificial intelligence technology.

Joining the First Lady at Mountain View Elementary was Carrie Robledo, a North Carolina second-grade teacher and 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champion. Mrs. Trump 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.

First Lady Melania Trump’s inaugural Presidential AI Challenge became the most expansive federally led artificial intelligence competition in American history, engaging more than 20,000 participants from all 50 states.

“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,” said the First Lady—celebrating the strength of a community that did not want to be defined by disaster and reflecting on Ashe County’s recovery.

Finally, The First Lady delighted students, teachers, and administrators with a special gift. BE BEST Fostering the Future, NVIDIA, and StudyFetch gifted 1,500 students AI Literacy training licenses and 100 Robotics Learning Kits powered by Jetson Nano. These new tools allow students to explore artificial intelligence and physical AI, develop technical skills, and bring their creative ideas to life.

The First Lady’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

North Carolina is the Definition of Resilience

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 1500 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!