Most days, Fennville seems a long way from the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.; but during a recent visit, Congressman Fred Upton made it feel a whole lot closer to home for fifth grade students at Fennville Elementary School.
Upton visited the school to share stories and details of his work over the years to represent the citizens of Southwest Michigan, and to deliver a special message about the role of young people in politics. Upton encouraged the students to go ahead and get involved now in politics, which he said are really just efforts to improve their school, community, state, nation, and world.
Of course it was an involved fifth-grade student who brought Upton to Fennville Elementary School in the first place. Joey Skerbeck had attended an Allegan County Republican Club meeting with his mother, and at the meeting had the chance to meet the congressman. During their conversation Upton encouraged Skerbeck to invite him to Fennville to speak to his class, so Joey did: working with teacher Chad VanderMeulen and Principal Albert Lombard, the fifth grader made it happen.
During his visit Upton told students stories of his journey into politics to represent the people of Southwest Michigan, which started in the 1980’s, and then stories of working with other politicians to pass laws, including every President going back to Ronald Reagan.
Upton also told the students he enjoyed visiting schools. He said education has been key for his success, and one of the most important skills he uses now started for him all the way back in elementary school, and that was developing into a good reader. Upton said that he still reads constantly and has to do so every day in order to do his job in Washington D.C.
Students were able to ask questions, from the personal to the political, and Upton answered all of them as specifically as he could, with one exception. When a student asked who would be supporting in the next President election, Upton said that it was too early for him to say, but that almost everyone running in both political parties was someone he considered to be a good person, and even a friend.
While each student took something different from the visit, several important messages stood out. Student Wendy Gonzalez heard Mr. Upton telling her that she had to stand up for what she believe in.
“I like that Mr. Upton knows he has to be courageous when he does his job,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes he even has to stand up to other people in the government when he doesn’t agree with a new law, and sometimes even the President. It’s important for all of us to be able to stand up for our beliefs, even when other people don’t agree.”
For Skerbeck, the biggest message was the encouragement he received to get involved.“Politics matters to fifth graders because we care about helping society,” Skerbeck said. “As Mr. Upton said, it’s important that we take an interest in our own community, starting with helping our school. I know my classmates want to make the school better, and that’s where we can already start making a difference.”
Author: Corey Harbaugh, Fennville Public Schools
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