First Lady Nancy reading to the children
Nancy Freudenthal visited Sheridan this week. She was joined by her daughter Katie and a campaign volunteer, Laura. On Wednesday the 4th, Nancy read to Pre-School Children at the Sheridan Library. The Sheridan Library went to great effort for the First Lady’s visit, making bookmarks to give to the children with Nancy’s picture and the date of her visit on the bookmarks, so they could remember her coming to read to them.
For lunch they ate at the Senior Citizens Center and enjoyed visiting with folks about the issues on their minds. Afterward, they spent time at the Java Moon for a “cup o’ Joe” to talk with volunteers about the campaign. That evening, they enjoyed a beautiful night walking door to door.
First Lady Nancy Freudenthal talking with students
On Thursday, Nancy toured Woodland Elementary School and Sheridan High School. The school Superintendent, administrators and students shared some of their successes with Nancy including reading and math recovery programs in the elementary school and the “shop” at the high school. Sheridan high school’s shop is one of only 3 programs in Wyoming where graduates can earn a welder’s certificate. Nancy also enjoyed listening to a jazz ensemble and a percussion band, and chatting with students and teachers about the importance of the arts in their schools and in the Hathaway scholarship accreditation criteria.
After the visit to Woodland Elementary, Nancy participated in a Wyoming First Lady’s Initiative meeting on underage drinking and then spoke about her work on the issue at a luncheon Kiwanis meeting. Following lunch, the First Lady, Katie and Laura walked around downtown Sheridan to talk with local business owners. Some of the concerns they heard related to health care, workforce, and the housing shortage. In the afternoon, they toured the Wyoming Girls School and learned about the plan for a new dorm facility on campus. That evening they continued with more Door to Door campaigning.
On Friday, the First Lady talked to four classes at Sheridan College about the importance of voting. She asked each of the students how many of them voted, and explained that typically their generation is quite unrepresented. Nancy talked with students about viewing this time as an opportunity to learn and engage in a “quid pro quo”. She explained that this is the time for students to learn about issues important to them, and for candidates have the chance to ask for their vote. Reinforcing the use of technology in politics today, the First Lady distributed Gov Dave wristbands with the campaign website address on them as a resource for people to learn more about the Governor.
Nancy also visited RENEW to learn more about the program and to tour some of their new facilities. The First Lady visited with members of the RENEW community and shared some of her experiences going door to door on the campaign trail. Many students asked about the First Family and how the Governor and First Lady met. The RENEW students will be participating in a mock election this November, so the First Lady left brochures about the Governor for those who’d like to learn more. After RENEW she continued to walk around downtown to meet more business owners. The First Lady enjoyed being in Sheridan and was glad to spend more time in the community.
