When McNabb Elementary Pre-K student Maverick Melton started thinking about his fourth birthday, he knew exactly what he wanted: a Barack Obama-themed birthday party. He also knew who he wanted to invite.
So Maverick did something about it.
With help from his family, the then-3-year-old wrote a letter to former President Barack Obama, introducing himself, sharing some of his favorite things and personally inviting Obama to celebrate his Aug. 15 birthday.
What began as a fun way to build Maverick’s confidence, curiosity and love of learning soon turned into an experience his family never expected.
In his letter, Maverick shared his love of dinosaurs, baseball, dancing and singing, along with his admiration for Michael Jackson and Obama. He even described his “job” collecting golf balls that land outside the net near a Topgolf close to his grandmother’s home and returning them to the front desk.
I take my job and work in the community seriously, just like you.
“I take my job and work in the community seriously, just like you,” Maverick wrote.
Then came his big question: “Will you celebrate my 4th birthday with me?” He added that his family would happily “settle for a birthday shoutout or card.”
What came back was much more.
As you celebrate, know that young people like yourself embody the hope we hold for our nation’s future.
Maverick received a personal birthday letter from both Barack and former First Lady Michelle Obama, along with signed golf balls featuring the presidential seal — an especially fitting surprise considering Maverick’s golf ball story.
“As you celebrate, know that young people like yourself embody the hope we hold for our nation’s future,” the Obamas wrote, encouraging Maverick to continue doing his best, helping others and dreaming big.
Maverick’s presidential birthday wish also came to life at his Obama-themed party celebration, where his family recreated a presidential-style delivery of the Obamas’ gifts, complete with Secret Service-style agents and a black SUV. The surprise video went viral, reaching more than 22,000 views.
You wrote a letter. You shared what you believe. Never be afraid to use your voice like that.
And the unexpected responses to Maverick’s letter didn’t stop with the Obamas. His story also caught the attention of Missouri state Rep. Marty Joe Murray, who represents District 78. Murray sent Maverick a birthday letter of his own, encouraging him to continue using his voice.
“You wrote a letter. You shared what you believe,” Murray wrote. “Never be afraid to use your voice like that.”
Murray also invited Maverick to visit the Missouri House of Representatives chamber for an introduction and encouraged the young student to reach out again in 10 years if he is looking for an internship.
For Maverick’s mother, Chassity Crittenden-Melton, the experience has become a reminder of what can happen when children are encouraged to express themselves and act on their ideas.
“As his mom, this experience has reminded me that even our youngest learners have a voice worth using,” Crittenden-Melton said. “One simple letter opened doors to encouragement, civic engagement and conversations we’ll cherish for years to come.”
Maverick’s story is also rooted at McNabb Elementary, where he began his Spring ISD journey last school year through the district’s free Pre-K3 program. His mother described his experience at McNabb as wonderful, and Maverick has now returned as a Pre-K4 student to continue learning and growing.
And while his educational journey is just beginning, Maverick has already shown that even the youngest voices can make an impact when they have the confidence to speak up and ask.
And perhaps the best way to sum up Maverick’s story comes from the lesson his mother shared with him and that he, in turn, shared in his letter to Obama:
Believing is good, but doing is better.