Gov. Huntsman Visits Edith Bowen School

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. paid a visit to the Edith Bowen Laboratory School on Utah State University's campus March 16. Joining the governor during his stop at the school was Utah State University President Stan Albrecht and Carol Strong, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, among others.

Gov. Huntsman talked with students in Ginny DiRaimo's 4^th grade class.

The visit was a follow-up to the governor's State of the State address, which the students watched and then wrote responses to Gov. Huntsman. The students offered the governor feedback and suggestions in the letters. The students also quizzed the governor on issues and policy matters facing the state.

Gov. Huntsman said he was so impressed by the letters that he decided to visit the school.

Following an official welcome in the school's entry where the Edith Bowen Honor Choir, under the direction of Jill DeVilbiss, sang, the governor moved on to DiRaimo's classroom and sat down with the students. He read some of the letters they had sent to him, and he responded to several.

"Your thinking is the most important in the state," he told the students. "My friends have had their day. We're investing in your future."

One student suggested that Utah create an "Adopt a Stream" program, much like the Adopt a Highway plan. Another asked about nuclear waste coming to Utah and another addressed the water shortage by suggesting that squirt guns be outlawed.

The youngsters also presented Gov. Huntsman a key to the state of Caskadia Voneto, a state created by the students in their studies. They plan to hold elections soon for the state, and the governor asked for a ballot.

Before leaving, the governor encouraged the students to consider careers in politics. He also asked the students to continue writing to him.

The students' other classmates at Edith Bowen school didn't miss out on the governor's visit. The classroom session was broadcast to the entire studentbody via a closed circuit system.