The Governor is coming. HERE.
The first thought when told that the LMC is going to be Media Central for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is Oh God No.  The second thought was 'how cool!' and what can I do with this opportunity!?  I asked the MAME Listserv, of course!  Hauled out my best PC manners and try to make my advocacy pitch if possible.

 

 

 

I had a LOAD of MAMEster input from "Good Luck!" to "grab her and tell her our plight!!!"  The most clarifying insights were from award-winning MAME member Gigi Lincoln, who hosted Granholm-and-entourage just the Monday before our Wednesday visit! It reminded me of that old book "What to Expect When You are Expecting" though we were 'expecting' a full-grown woman.  And you would think that the governor's office would prep host sites well ahead, but they don't--no neonatal vitamins, either!  We were informed that the advance team would arrive two hours ahead and the media team an hour ahead. Whatever that meant, we would find out.  I just tried to look like, "Sure, I know what to do, we get dignitaries in here all the time with men talking into their sleeves...".  Oh, and remember to not look furtive.  Or crack jokes.  Oh Lord help me.

Gigi and I emailed back and forth, back and forth, and then she called. The setup for the day was the same for both schools: media center, 6 students, 6 mix of teachers and administrators, and the Governor. The pre-meeting with this panel was to happen immediately before the press portion of the afternoon with questions and answers afterward and an opportunity for photos with Jennifer herself.                                                                                            
                                                                     Gov. Granholm and Gigi Lincoln

The funniest thing on the day of the visit was that all of the women but one wore black!  Most wore black and white, but BLACK was the somber color du jour.  I wonder what that meant...and, if you peruse the photos in the link and at Lakeview, almost everyone wore black there, as well!  huh!  I mean, the economy is in the red...we are all blue...
The advance team scoped out everything: security, potential entry areas, approach, locked/unlocked doors, crowd control, etc.  I made myself useful and offered to do what the lead man-in-black wanted.  Mr. Mendez relaxed after a bit and was friendly, plus the huge cookie table and cold water did not hurt!  I casually brought up the plight of SLMS in our state and, a little later, showed him the MEA Voice Cover story on just that very thing.  He suggested that my principal present it to the Guv! My principal, Mary McFarlane was thrilled to have such good press from the MEA and went along whole-heartedly.  Immediately, I marked up the copy with the MAME website, the LRS site, my email address, and arrows to the statistics and scooted it back to the table for him, trying not to sweat. Whew!
The press secretary wanted the LMC flipped-all of the round tables from one half to the other half, and the rectangle tables moved to where the round ones were, in the shape of a "U". Now.  Ooooooooooo kay.  About 6 of us, dressed to the nines, did the deed with extra hands here and there.  Nice.  Sweat is key when a working woman is about to meet Her Governorship!
As the motorcade approached (our loading dock area for crying out loud), the men-in-black casually moved as if in a bad ballet, and everything was a state of calm.  Only two photographers were allowed in the pre-meeting meeting and I was one! My nearly new extra wonderful splurge of a Nikon helped me make the leap from Out to In. These few minutes helped ME relax as well as the panel members, and in retrospect, it was a superb idea to tuck away for the future.
The Governor was gracious, well-spoken and welcoming; she spoke (the video is online with the News Herald article), the staff members spoke, and students spoke afterward. The choir sang a capella, everyone posed for photos and could not be more accommodating (I was surprised at that)! The traditional place for group photos in the LMC is on the big staircase, so everyone went there.  Our lovely Victorian fireplace mantle and surround, the nook with books and the totally fake bonfire photographed well.  Oh and the kids did, too!  Also, I don't think there are many bad photos of our Governor-perhaps that is one gubernatorial requirement? We should inform the candidates!  Whiten your teeth and smile!  Best foot forward!
Governor Granholm made sure everyone who wanted a handshake and photo got just that. She spent about 5 minutes with our cub reporter from the school newspaper who did well despite being completely flabbergasted (without managing a nosebleed) earlier.  Once he had a clipboard, he felt better (old trick). The press secretary swept down only after some invisible signal between her and the Governor happened. I was watching like a hawkess and did not see it.  Secret handshake?

She looks cheerily darling and I look, well, tired as if I had moved furniture all day.  Wait...

What began late Monday afternoon with only a note (The Governor may be here on Wednesday), ended just before 4 p.m., when we packed the last remains of the 10 dozen giant cookies to go to the main office, folded my yellow tablecloth and removed the big vase of my garden's daffodils and forsythia from the 'buffet'.  Man did I sleep well that night!  And I'd do it all again in a Downriver minute! One never knows when the opportunity to make a difference drops into your life, so, like the Lion King, Be Prepared!

 

Lakeview HS Article from the Battle Creek Enquirer