State Lawmakers Visit Nash County Schools for NC Legislators in Schools Week
NASH COUNTY, N.C. (April 14, 2025) – In celebration of NC Legislators in Schools Week, Nash County Public Schools welcomed two state lawmakers on Friday to connect with students and highlight the importance of public education.
At Coopers Elementary School, Rep. Dante Pittman, District 24, was greeted by Principal Courtney Land before meeting with all kindergarten students. He read I Will Be Fierce! by Bea Birdsong, sharing a message of bravery, determination and self-expression.
“It was a pleasure to meet and read to students from Coopers Elementary,” said Rep. Pittman. “Schools like Coopers are the heart of our communities. Seeing those smiling faces and hearing from students reminds us that we owe it to our students to work for their future.”
At Benvenue Elementary School, Sen. Lisa Barnes was welcomed by Principal Kristen Tedford and a team of student ambassadors who led her on a brief tour. She received a presentation from the school’s Student Government Association, met Blue — the school's Reading and Math Dog — and enjoyed a special performance by the African Drumming Club in the media center.
“I am so appreciative of the school ambassadors and student government officers who hosted me at Benvenue Elementary,” said Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes, District 11. “I enjoyed interacting with the students as they led the tour of their school and shared their favorite part of school. Overall, I was very impressed with the students, classrooms and the African Drumming Club performance, which was a special treat!”
Fifth grader Christopher Caudle, president of the Student Government Association at Benvenue, expressed excitement over the visit.
“I think it was pretty exciting that she came to our school,” Caudle said. “Hopefully, we made her think about coming here again.”
He continued, “It means that we — Benvenue — stood out enough to be seen by Senator Barnes. Students made slideshows, and it felt pretty good to make something to present to such a big leader in our community.”
Caudle, who has political aspirations of his own, said the visit inspired him to “go for bigger and better.”
Nash County Public Schools also welcomed Rep. Allen Chesser, District 25, earlier in the week for a full day with students at M. B. Hubbard Elementary School and Nash Central High School. The visits were part of a statewide initiative designed to connect lawmakers with schools across North Carolina, giving them a firsthand look at the teaching and learning happening each day.
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Media Contact:
Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer