Hunter Blackstone proudly displays the letter he recently received from President Barack Obama after writing the President about the BP oil spill. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) The recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico captured Hunter Blackstone’s attention from the start. The then second-grader expressed concern to his father, Chris Blackstone of Millen, that the family would not be able to vacation in Destin, Fla. as planned due to the spill. He then set about the task of engineering a solution to the problem.

Hunter drew out a plan on notebook paper suggesting that a large pipe could be placed over the well and the oil then pumped to a container on the surface of the ocean. He sent his plan to his grandfather, Dr. Jack Blackstone, in Little Rock, Arkansas who in turn sent it to President Barack Obama.

Recently, Hunter was thrilled to receive a letter from President Obama regarding his efforts.

“Thank you for writing to me about the BP oil spill. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to address this crisis….This is a difficult time for many Americans, and I am encouraged by the thoughtful and compassionate letters from young people like you who care deeply about making this right,” President Obama wrote. Hunter, now a third grade student at Jenkins County Element ary School, continues to follow news reports of the clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.