Jennifer Hudson received her very own day from the city of Chicago.

Maybe Lakisha Jones will soon enjoy the safe honor in Flint, Michigan.

For now, though, the American Idol contestant is probably thrilled enough that students at Eisenhower Elementary think so highly of her.

They think she's a terrific singer. They think she's beautiful.

And they identify with her: The American Idol finalist attended 4th-6th grades at their school.

Today, proclaimed "LaKisha Day" at Eisenhower, children in every classroom had a chance to express their feelings for Jones through poetry, letters, drawings, banners and posters. They're also rehearsing for a Jones-inspired fashion and talent show set for May 4.

"I love you because I think you love me," kindergartner Samantha Maienbrook, 5, said she planned to write in her letter to Jones.

The kindergarten class drew posters of Jones, such as the one by teacher Karen Collins below, that the school will send to Jones.

The kids' creations will be laminated and given to her mother, Northern Academy teacher Beverly Jefferson, who has promised to deliver them to LaKisha when Jefferson returns to Hollywood on April 8, Principal Patti Davis said.

"(Jefferson) told me, 'LaKisha will be so excited to see what those children did,' " Davis said.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.