releases: http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=3C45095B-F760-4724-9E60-DD4A14C2203B
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=3C45095B-F760-4724-9E60-DD4A14C2203B | Aberdeen News: Noem shares stories of Christmas, more at Aberdeen school | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | SD | Kristi Noem | N000184 | noem.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., shared the meaning of Christmas with third-graders at O.M. Tiffany Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon. In town for meetings requested by area leaders and constituents, Noem visited with the elementary schoolers to read some Christmas stories and answer questions about her job as a representative in the U.S. House. Students’ eyes lit up as O.M. Tiffany Principal Jared Ahlberg introduced Noem. “She has a very important job,” Ahlberg told students. “She knows President Barack Obama.” Christmas is special to her family, Noem told students. There was work to be done every day growing up on a farm, so Christmas was a day the children would all have off. One day, the kids decided it would be nice to give their dad the day off, Noem said. Doing chores someone might have to do every day would be a good gift to give, she told the school children before reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christ” by South Dakota author Tom Roberts. The book, a take on “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” features the story of Jesus. Noem gifted the book to the third-graders. Though her eldest child is in college, the Noem family always comes together to read the book and other stories during Christmastime. It’s important to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it’s also a time to celebrate how special we are to one another, Noem said. “That’s the best thing about Christmas,” she said. “It’s a good time of the year to be kind to someone.” She also shared the story of how Teddy Roosevelt III snuck a Christmas tree into a closet in the White House in 1902, when his father, President Theodore Roosevelt declared there would be no tree. Third-grader Michael Aalseth said it was “cool” that Noem took the time to read stories. Children asked Noem about everything — from questions about the Lincoln Memorial to whether she would consider running for president. The latter is unlikely, she said. “My favorite thing in the world to be is a mom, and my favorite place in the world to be is in South Dakota,” Noem answered. The children were most curious about the White House, meeting the president, life in Washington, D.C., and Noem’s Christmas plans. “I really liked her telling us the answers to our questions and learning more about her,” said third-grader Tristan Leidholdt. He said he learned a lot of things he didn’t know before. “This is my favorite thing about this job,” Noem said. “We can get young kids excited to learn about government and get involved with their communities. It’s pretty special.” Students also asked about a school nutrition bill introduced by Noem that would give local schools more flexibility with their lunch programs. “They can decide how best to feed you guys,” she told students. Noem encouraged students to get involved in their community. “Sometimes, our laws don’t make sense,” she said. “Don’t complain about it. Do something about it.” Noem said she tries to make time for school visits when she travels to South Dakota communities, but most visits are to high schools. She has been to about a dozen elementary schools. While in Aberdeen, she also visited Northern State University, where she attended school for two years. Linda Daugaard, South Dakota’s first lady, visited O.M. Tiffany last year to read to students. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |