U.S. Rep. Chet Edward emphasized the importance of getting a good education to nearly 200 Bryan Collegiate High School students during a trip to the school Friday.
Edwards and the students were excited about the visit, officials said.
"For a lot of these kids, this was their first encounter with someone from Washington," said James Henry, the dean of students.
Teachers said students had been asking questions the entire week about the congressman and his visit.
"We really fielded a wide range of questions," said Evan Adams, a history teacher. "Some kids wanted to know what a congressman was, and some kids were asking detailed questions about the stimulus package."
Edwards delivered a 20-minute speech to the students in the gymnasium before taking part in a round-table discussion with a small group of students and administrators.
"We are in a more competitive world arena now than we ever have been," Edwards told the students. "The people who are going to make a good living are ones like you here, getting a good education."
He also talked about his enthusiasm for the Collegiate High School program.
"When I came here," he said, "I saw the future. This makes my day. This visit will have me fired up for days."
When Edwards opened the floor for questions, most students asked about the president.
"Will Barack Obama's administration be successful in their endeavors?"
"When will you be able to tell Barack Obama about our school?"
"What kind of advice would you give Barack Obama?"
Principal Christina Richardson, who had been working with others since July to organize Edwards' visit, invited him to the school's first graduation ceremony in May of 2011.
During the round-table discussion, Edwards asked students if they were happy at the school. The answer was an overwhelming yes. He also asked how many in the group of about 10 students wanted to go to a four-year university. Everyone's hand shot up.
The group agreed that the biggest obstacle in attending college was the cost.
Edwards discussed his plans to help lower the cost of higher education.
"Our government doesn't have the responsibility to guarantee your success," he said. "But I do think we have a responsibility to give every young person an opportunity for success."
RSS
Mobile
Daily Emails
We Twitter
