[QUESTION]: So, Mrs. Obama, how does it feel being First Lady?
MICHELLE OBAMA: Well, that's a good question. I still -- I think I'm still trying to figure that out. But, you know, I'm excited and honored. There's a lot of work to be done in the country, and I think my husband is a good man for the job, and if I can do anything to support him -- you know, whether it's learning more about centers like Mary's Center and the work that they're doing -- and taking that information back so that it can help him think better about how to shape policy.
But it's -- I feel like I have a privilege being able to come out and hear about good programs, and meeting young people and to talk. It's one of the best jobs I've ever had. So I'm honored.
[QUESTION]: I want to ask on -- if there's anything that's (inaudible) plan to help our school system?
OBAMA: Well, I think that most recently in this stimulus package that you hear so much talk about is one of the main things is thinking about how to make sure that kids from all communities who are headed to college have the kind of support they need; making sure that teachers have the resources they need so that as the economy struggles that we don't lay off teachers because they don't have the money that they need.
And in fact that's what's happening in our economy. You know, you've seen around the country that, you know, programs that are losing resources, and some of the schools are pulling out all their athletic programs and all the extracurriculars that make school fun, because we're -- you know, we don't have the resources to put in the schools, and the thing we want to make sure is that we don't lose teachers. I mean, that's the last, you know, resource.
But we also need to make sure that you guys have the grants that you need to get into college, if you decide to go. So there's money in this package to make sure that as we try to get the economy back on track, that there are resources for schools and for kids who are headed to college. That's just some of the ways, but there's so much work that we need to do beyond that, you know. I mean, the infrastructure of the schools are falling apart, and people need capital to keep buildings running, you know, moving. So there's a lot of work left to be done, for sure.
But, you know, coming from public schools -- and I'm a graduate of public schools -- I grew up in Chicago on the South Side, and my parents didn't have a ton of resources, so I know how important it is, and so does Barack, of having the kind of resources we need to make sure that every child, regardless of where they live or where they're from or how much money their parents make, that they have the right to good resources and a chance for college. So we still have a ways to go.
[QUESTION]: We were saying that we need more resources for our students to be able to go to college and things like that. And actually Mary's Center has a scholarship program -- we're still working on it -- to try to help seniors have money and other resources to go to school, and it's been very helpful. And I've been here for three years at Mary's Center, working in the Teen Program, and they help us with our homework and with anything we need, whether we have problems at home or anything else.
OBAMA: So you're thinking about college?
[QUESTION]: Yes.
OBAMA: So what year are you?
[QUESTION]: Pardon?
OBAMA: What year are you?
[QUESTION]: 2010.
OBAMA: 2010, so that's coming up, then. So, one of the things that I didn't realize, as I was talking to Maria -- I know that the resources here are pretty extensive for a health center. I don't know if you realize, but many health centers around the country don't have the ability to provide this broad range of resources. I mean, most of them just barely have the resources to provide medical care. The fact that here you've got pre-school, you've got teen centers, and you've got help for college, and you -- you know, this is the kind of center that's taking care of not just women and children, but the whole family -- that's a unique and important model.
So in so many ways you all are lucky to have this kind of center, because communities all over the country need this kind of resource -- in some way, shape, or form -- because as you know, it's hard if you don't have a place to go. I don't have to tell you all that. But this has been a treat for me to see.