The eighth-graders at Blendon Middle School got a jumpstart to the school’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. with a visit from an Ohio lawmaker they’d typically seek out while visiting the U.S. Capitol Building.
U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who wasn’t available to meet with students during their tour of the nation’s capitol this week, visited eighth-graders at Blendon on Monday just before they departed for their trip.
For Beatty, the visit marked her first time in a school since the COVID pandemic started.
“I’m sorry I can’t be at Washington, D.C. when the school visits,” she said to students gathered inside the school’s gym. “But this was even better.”
Students welcomed Beatty and asked her questions about her work as a legislator, why she wanted to run for office and what legislation she is currently sponsoring. They wanted to know about her biggest challenges, her biggest wins and her priorities. Her responses were peppered with advice for students.
“Never be afraid when you have a problem to address it,” she said. “And don’t let it identify you. Don’t let anybody else identify you either. And so, be you. Find out who you are and be you.”
Principal Kendall Harris said a Blendon parent, who has worked with Beatty, helped coordinate the legislator’s visit to the building.