When Samantha Pesiri lost 70 pounds, it changed her life, but she never expected it would draw the attention of the White House.
On Wednesday, during a health conference in Washington, D.C., first lady Michelle Obama shared the story of the 15-year-old girl, a Stamford High School student who embarked upon the dramatic transformation last year.
At the time, Samantha weighed 193 pounds and was at risk of developing diabetes.
"And all it took for Samantha was one caring adult and a couple of opportunities for active play, and this young woman was able to regain control of her health," Obama said. "So just imagine if we could have that kind of impact in every school and every community in America."
Obama delivered the remarks during the Building a Healthier Future Summit, sponsored by The Partnership for a Healthier America and Obama's own "Let's Move" initiative. It focused on reducing childhood obesity.
To that end, Obama highlighted the efforts of Samantha and her physical education teacher, Jenna Bartolo. They began their work last year, when Samantha was nearly 200 pounds and had been diagnosed with asthma.
"That was my turning point," Samantha said. "I didn't like changing in gym, and I hated sitting at lunch. People would make fun of what I ate, saying things like, 'You don't need that.'"
So the teenager reached out to Bartolo, who runs an after-school cardiovascular wellness program and agreed to guide Samantha toward a healthier lifestyle.
In her speech, Obama applauded Samantha's ambition, Bartolo's leadership and the outcome, which has yielded positive changes for the teenager.
"She joined a softball team and a cardio club at her school," Obama said. "And she said that as she got healthier, she gained more confidence. And in her letter, she told me that she's been so successful that other people have actually asked her to help them get fit and healthy."
Obama had learned about Samantha this month, when the teenager penned a letter to the White House.
"I felt so accomplished," Samantha said. "I really wanted more than just family to know."
Shortly afterward, a package arrived from the nation's capital. Inside was a handwritten response from the first lady.
"I was very surprised," she said. "I was overwhelmed. I didn't think she would actually write back. I thought it would have been a person typing, saying, 'Thanks for your letter, it was great.'
