In what is a continuing devotion by Michelle Obama to the Washington D.C. student population First lady Michelle Obama mentoring program started Monday to give local high school girls access to women at the White House.

Thirteen of the girls joined the first lady and 18 White House staffers, including advisers Valerie Jarrett and Melody Barnes, in the State Dining Room to kick off the program, which Mrs. Obama said was one of her top goals on becoming first lady.

Opening REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY

AT GIRLS MENTORING PROJECT KICK-OFF

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, good afternoon.  It is so good to welcome you here to the White House.  You know you're in the State Room?  It's the room where we hold a lot of big, important dinners.  And usually the President is standing here and there are tables to the side and there are people dressed in gala, but now this room is for you, and we are so excited to have you all here.