TEACHER SAYS KIDS EXCITED ABOUT PROJECT; STUDENT LESSONS PAY OFF WITH VISIT BY BLUNT

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Sabrina Youngs' fifth grade class at Franklin School has been studying the process of government during this school year, and several students thought it might be a good idea to invite a public official to come and explain his job.

One of the students, Terry Enloe, happened to mention that her father, Ken, knew Secretary of State Roy Blunt from when the family lived in Jefferson City. They attended the same church.

So, the class drafted a letter to the secretary of state, asking if he would like to visit the school and talk to students about his duties in state government.

"The request was to just come down and talk to students about what he does and government in general," explained Youngs.

Blunt wrote back that he would be pleased to attend the school. As part of his visit Monday afternoon, he will unveil the recently restored hand-painted silk Missouri State Flag. The original flag, which was accepted as the state's official flag in 1913, was made in Cape Girardeau by Marie Elizabeth Oliver.

Not only will Blunt be sharing with students what he does in government, but he will also be sharing with them a part of the heritage of Cape Girardeau and Missouri.

Blunt will speak to an assembly at 2:30 p.m. Monday of fifth and sixth grade students.

"My kids are all excited about this," said Youngs. "They have made posters announcing the assembly to put around school, and are really involved in it."

Youngs explained that in the fifth grade, students are taught early American history up to the present, and really get involved in the process of government.

"It is real neat to have a government official like this coming down," said Youngs. "It makes it all the more real."

The teacher said she hopes Blunt's visit will help serve as a bridge of learning between today's government and the nation's founding fathers. "Hopefully, the students will make some kind of connection," said Youngs.