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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.
Where’s Cynthia? Is Cynthia here?
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.