Acclaimed Author and Former White House Staffer Marisa Renee Lee Returns Home to Inspire Wappingers Junior High School 8th Graders

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY – May 19, 2026 – Today, eighth-grade students at Wappingers Junior High School had a special visitor: Marisa Renee Lee, a bestselling author, grief advocate, Harvard grad, former appointee in the Obama White House–and proud Wappingers CSD alumna. In addition to administrators, Lee was joined by Maliya Taylor, president of the John Jay HS Black Student Union, as well as WJHS student government representatives.

Lee spent the day engaging directly with students, sharing reflections on her journey from the very same hallways of her youth to the West Wing of the White House. Students asked Lee about her favorite subjects in high school and college, favorite teachers, and best memories from her time in the WCSD.

A major highlight of the discussion centered on her time serving under President Barack Obama. She described the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the administration, advising students to be sure to take time to take care of themselves when in a high-pressure job.

One student asked which commander-in-chief she would choose to work for if given the chance to travel back in time. "Either Abraham Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt," Lee told the students, citing the profound impact both presidents had during some of the nation's most defining crises.

The visit concluded with a message of encouragement from Lee, urging the future high schoolers to stay curious, support one another, and never underestimate the power of their own voices.

Media Contact: Richard Zipp, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services 845-298-5000 x 40103 | richard.zipp@wcsdny.org 

About Marisa Renee Lee Marisa Renee Lee is a prominent author, speaker, and advocate known for her work in racial equity, grief support, and public service. A graduate of the Wappingers Central School District, she went on to serve as a senior advisor in the Obama White House and continues to inspire audiences nationwide through her writing and speaking engagements.