Sen. Edwards keeps promise to Kipps students

Posted April 26, 2012

Students listen to Virginia Sen. John Edwards during his visit to Matthew Fentress' fifth grade class at Kipps Elementary School on Thursday. Photo by Mike Shaw | The Burgs.

Kipps teacher Matthew Fentress presents Virginia Sen. John Edwards with a Kipps t-shirt. Photo by Mike Shaw | The Burgs.

BLACKSBURG – Matthew Fentress’ fifth grade class at Kipps Elementary School asks a lot of questions.

That’s something Virginia Sen. John Edwards quickly found out when he made a special trip to visit Fentress’ students on Thursday.

The visit, which has been in the works for several months, spawned from students’ questions after the November 2011 elections.

Fentress said students began asking questions about different political positions and what public servants do for the school system and the community.

“I stopped in the middle of the history lesson I was teaching and told them we should write these public servants and invite them to speak to our class,” Fentress said. “Many of them have responded and visited our classroom and we feel very fortunate that [Edwards] was one of them.”

During Edwards’ visit, students asked a variety of questions ranging from what his favorite food is to which one of his teachers influenced him most during his time in school.

Edwards said he enjoys spending time in the school system.

“I think it’s very important to get around and speak to school children, speak to the teachers and find out how things are going and to see what’s on their mind,” Edwards said.

“This class is very inquisitive and they had a lot of good questions.”

Fentress said one of the Virginia Studies Standards of Learning requires students to study the three branches of government.

“When people like Senator Edwards comes to our class it brings the Standards of Learning to life for the students,” said Fentress. “It also shows them the importance of being a good citizen and demonstrating good character.”

Edwards answered questions for roughly 45 minutes before shaking hands with each student in the classroom.

“The children were very impressed with his vast knowledge, his love for his job as a state senator and how he enjoys talking to students like them,” Fentress said.

By Mike Shaw
The Roanoke Times | 381-8627