Receiving presidential letters seems to be a family tradition for the Underwoods of Hinesville.
Patrick Underwood III, a fourth-grader at Joseph Martin Elementary School, and his sister Eboni Underwood, a second-grader at Joseph Martin, recently received letters from President Barack Obama praising them for earning straight As in school.
The children’s older brother, Patrick Underwood Jr., received a similar letter from the president three years ago. Their father, Patrick Underwood Sr., received a letter from President Bill Clinton in 1998 when he attended Liberty County High School.
“Me and my sister sent (the president) our report cards and wrote him a letter,” Patrick “P.J.” Underwood III said.
“They made honor roll all year,” Patrick Underwood Sr. said.  “I couldn’t promise they’d get a letter like their brother.”
The younger Underwood children sent their letters at the end of the 2012-13 school year in late May. Their father said he was surprised his younger kids received letters as did his oldest child.
“I’m going to have to buy some frames,” he said.
Underwood Sr., owner of the online store Hat World, said the children follow a consistent homework routine. As soon as they arrive home, they do their assignments, he said.
Underwood Sr. also credited his wife, Wendy Underwood, for instilling a love of learning in their children.
“She started taking them to the library when they were still in the stroller,” he said.
Both children said they like school. P.J. claimed math is his favorite subject.
“It makes me remember that someday I want to make money,” he said.
“His poppy (grandfather) calls him ‘banker.’ He loves math,” Underwood Sr. said.
Not to be outdone by her brother, Eboni said she, too, likes math, and she enjoys learning about the environment. She said she likes science, too.
Underwood Sr. said his oldest son, now a seventh-grader at Lewis Frasier Middle School, will attend the Junior National Leaders Conference next August in Washington, D.C. Patrick Underwood Jr. was to have attended this summer, but the event was canceled due to the sequestration, his father said.