Impact Detroit Magazine Impact Detroit Magazine 2013 | Page 62

Bouchet International Academy
Bouchet International:
The Elementary School of Champions
Although, First Lady Michelle Obama attended Bryn
Mawr Elementary School (now named Bouchet
International Academy) some years ago; Principal
Kim Angela Murph-Sims still gets quizzed by the
media. But, just not as much anymore.
She exclaims, “Really Susan, it has been rather
quite. I was bombarded with questions from
reporters during the first election period of President
Barack Obama. I had to constantly explain to foreign
reporters that I was of course not the principal at the
time that First Lady Obama attended Bouchet. Now,
all the media excitement has subsided, but
anytime visitors come to the school; they are
still in awe over the fact.”
As we were touring the school, I noticed the
original kindergarten class picture of First
Lady Obama prominently displayed next to
other student class pictures. I had to smile
because she looked just like Sasha! Looking
at distinctly different class pictures, I began
to wonder which students were leaders and
most likely to succeed in their class and who
among this group of students have the
potential to grow-up to be a Michelle
Obama.
Principal Sims feels honored to be principal

Principal, Kim Murph-Sims

of the school that our first lady attended. She
explained, “I feel the entire Bouchet School
community, is extremely proud that First Lady
Michelle Obama attended elementary school at
Bouchet. I feel she is truly a role model for our
students and their parents, too.”
I discovered from talking to not only Mrs. Sims, but
several parents and teachers that Bouchet
International is a school confronted with many
challenges and concerns, particularly those
associated with being located in an inner-city

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