Melania Trump received a rapturous reception from more than 102,000 college football fans after appearing on the stadium screen during LSU’s SEC clash with Alabama in Baton Rouge.
The First Lady waved and smiled as she was shown on the jumbotron at Tiger Stadium, before the broadcast returned to the action on the field.
Her appearance came after she announced a multimillion-dollar partnership between Louisiana State University and her Fostering the Future programme, which will provide scholarships for LSU students who have come through the foster care system.
“This achievement will give young people from foster care an anchor of stability, a strong educational foundation and a chance to build a wonderful life,” Ms Trump said at an event with LSU president Wade Rousse.
The White House said more than 7 million dollars (£5.3 million) in private donations had been secured for an endowment fund supporting the scholarships. MMR Group Inc, an electrical contracting company based in Baton Rouge, committed 5 million dollars, while donors to the LSU Foundation provided more than 2 million dollars.
Ms Trump said there were 14 scholars on the programme at LSU and nine at Alabama, forming part of a total of 100 students being supported across 26 schools during the semester.
“As adults, we have a moral obligation to our children, especially those in foster care,” she said. “But, as you know, we must act to truly make a difference. The foster care community doesn’t need words.”
She concluded her remarks by saying: “Now, let’s go and enjoy the game.”
The Fostering the Future initiative was promoted across the LSU campus and at Tiger Stadium before kick-off. It is an offshoot of the Be Best campaign, which was Ms Trump’s signature issue during Donald Trump’s first term as president.
Mr Rousse presented her with an LSU helmet bearing the Be Best logo, along with a team jersey carrying a Be Best patch. He said every player would wear the patch during the game.
