Obama pays Valley kids a surprise visit during Yosemite trip

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A group of Livingston Elementary students got the surprise meeting of a lifetime when the met President Barack Obama in Yosemite.

"The ranger told us we were going to meet a special person," one student explained. "We got the president out of nowhere."

President Obama and the First Lady surprised the kids during their tour at Yosemite National Park.

Fabian Cornejo was filled with so much excitement, he says he had to tell himself one thing.

"Don't be weird to him," he exclaimed laughing.

The surprise visit from the commander-in-chief came on Elizabeth Avila's 9th birthday.

"He said, 'Happy Birthday,' she said. "I feel like I'm famous."

Her friend Brethany felt the same way too.

"We felt like he just came to see us and no one else," she said.

Ariana Sanchez says President Obama gave them candy and gift cards to visit any national park before he left.

"He said that it was an honor to meet us and that we were very lucky," Sanchez said.

And Ariana tells Action News she felt lucky getting to meet his wife Michele.

"She is a role model to me because that means that women can do anything," she exclaimed.

Edit Salazar, along with the chief of police of Livingston, helped organize this secret visit.

"Many of the kids and parents that went don't even speak good English," she explained. "So, it was a great opportunity for them."