Gov. Sanders tours Hope elementary, listens to district’s plans for future
HOPE, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took a shine to the school motto when she visited Beryl Henry Elementary on Wednesday: “I want to be somebody. I can be somebody. I will be somebody, because I am somebody!”
“We should start all of our morning meetings with that,” Sanders said, according to a news release, as she and state Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva toured the campus.
Sanders and Oliva were joined by Hope Public Schools employees, state and local elected officials, business leaders and community members. Students ambassadors Jayden January and Brycen Burton led the tour.
In one sixth-grade class- room, a student asked Sand- ers, “How much do you make?”
The governor, who has three children, said her salary goes toward purchases for her family.
“I have a girl in sixth grade and two boys. That’s where I spend my money,” Sanders said.
Later, Sanders and Oliva participated in a table discus- sion with Superintendent Jon- athan Crossley, Hope Public Schools employees, students and others.
“The focus of the conversation was Hope Public Schools’ multifaceted approach to education, from birth to college,” the news release states.
Home-to-school adviser Kayla Jones discussed the district’s Baby Bags, which contain diapers, wipes and other necessities. The bags are given to new parents.
Discussion then turned to the nearly $15 million magnet
grant the district received 2022. Principal Kedrick Jones said part of the money will go to the performing arts and additional programs at Beryl Henry over the next few years.
Dr. Mikki Curtis, of the University of Arkansas at Hope-texarkana, provided an overview of the Colle- giate Academy and the Trade Skills Certification programs offered through a partnership
between the district and university.
“We’re excited to be here and glad to see the work that you’re doing. I don’t think there are that many schools that have that level of community partnership for students. The fact that you are keeping your foot on the gas to double the program is going to have a massive impact … for this entire region,” Sanders said in the release.