Assignment to Write "Friendly" Letter Draws Visit from Gov. Ehrlich

The assignment for Jodi Cohen's second-graders recently was to write a "friendly" letter - say, one that asks Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich to come to their school for a visit.
No one would have been surprised had the governor been unable to take the time. But maybe the offer was persuasive enough; maybe the class's letters were just so friendly that he couldn't say no.

Whatever the reason, Ms. Cohen's second graders found themselves the center of the governor's attention on a recent morning as he breezed in for a half-hour visit to the Stevenson-area school.

Gov. Ehrlich had wanted to read a book to the class - "The Sea Monster That Ate Annapolis" - but his busy schedule left little time for anything other than a fun and informative chat with the children. At a time when gubernatorial visits to schools have been rare outside of election seasons or major policy announcements, Gov. Ehrlich's drop-by was a real treat.

With cameras clicking and reporters scribbling, Ms. Cohen's class had plenty of questions for the state's chief executive.
"Why did you want to become governor?"
"Good question. I often ask that myself," the governor said, chuckling, before discussing his reasons.
"What did you want to be when you grew up?"
"Well," the governor began, "first I wanted to be a football player, and then a lawyer, and then a Congressman."
"Who were your heroes when you were a boy and who are your heroes now?"
"My parents, obviously, were people that I looked up to when I was growing up, and I still do, and I look up to the President today and to a very famous British statesman named Winston Churchill."

The governor wasn't all question-and-answer, however. He talked with children about the importance of reading, especially over the summer when they were out of school. He won a promise from the children that each would read at least 10 books during the out-of-school months.

In the back of the classroom, Fort Garrison Principal Sue Hershfeld snapped photographs of the school's prominent visitor. "This has meant so much to these children," she said. "They've been talking about it all week."

In addition to Gov. Ehrlich, State Delegates Dan Morhaim and Robert Zirkin were on hand to greet the class and governor as well. After joining the governor to sign several books for the class, they, Gov. Ehrlich, and the entourage of news crews and dignitaries departed, off on their busy day.
And Jodi Cohen and her class, their friendly letter having proved very persuasive indeed, got back to work.

Story and Photos by Charles Herndon Communications Officer