First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed 54 children to the White House Tuesday for the second annual Kids’ State Dinner where a Selma native represented kids from the state of Alabama.

Kindall Murphy, 11, submitted a recipe for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Cookbook and won a ticket to the lunch Monday where she sat with Michelle Obama and received a surprise visit from President Barack Obama.

“I had a wonderful time at the White House today,” Murphy told the office of Rep. Terri Sewell. “I got to sit at the same table and eat with Mrs. Obama. I got to ask her questions and have a conversation with her. President Obama came to our table, shook my hand, and asked me about my recipe.”

To win the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, Murphy submitted a salad recipe that featured kale, broccoli, chicken and apple, which was then included in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Cookbook.

Sewell said she was delighted to welcome Murphy and her mother to the U.S. Capitol where Kindall represented the state of Alabama.

“I was honored to welcome Kindall Murphy and her mother, Mrs. Toby Murphy, to the U.S. Capitol,” Sewell said. “Kindall has the unique opportunity to represent Alabama at the Kids’ State Dinner at the White House and spend time with First Lady Michelle Obama. Kindall represents the very best that our state and the 7th Congressional District has to offer and I am sure she will continue to make us proud. She is a bright, energetic young lady with a terrific future ahead of her.”

Kindall’s mother Toby Murphy said her conversation with First Lady Obama made her feel like she was talking with a friend.

“The First Lady was so pleasant, welcoming, and down-to-earth that I forgot I was talking to Michelle Obama. I felt like I was talking to a friend,” Murphy said.

Sewell said she hopes Murphy’s influence resonates with every young person across Alabama to practice healthy lifestyle habits.

“The First Lady’s initiative to combat obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles is truly inspiring,” Sewell said.

In an effort to combat obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the initiative to get kids excited about healthy eating.

When Murphy saw an advertisement for the program on Disney Channel, she immediately called her aunt and began concocting a healthy recipe to submit.