A Montana third grader is being recognized statewide after writing a letter that inspired a new proclamation from the governor.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently declared March 3 as “Third Graders Day” in Montana, honoring the efforts of Blakely Wagner, an 8-year-old student at Bonner Elementary School who asked the governor to recognize students across the state.
Blakely said the idea came after reading a story with her grandmother about a student in Minnesota who successfully asked her governor to recognize March 3 — written as “3/3” — as a day celebrating third graders.
“So me and my nana read about this girl in Minnesota who made March 3 Third Graders Day in Minnesota,” Blakely said during an interview on the Northern News Network. “My nana asked me if I would like to do that, and I said yes.”
Blakely wrote a letter to Governor Gianforte asking if he would consider issuing a similar proclamation in Montana. She said she was surprised when the governor responded — and even more surprised when he visited her school in person.
Governor Gianforte later traveled to Bonner Elementary to read the proclamation to Blakely and her classmates, recognizing March 3 as Montana Third Graders Day.
Speaking on the radio program Voices of Montana, the Governor said he was impressed by the student’s initiative and civic engagement.
“She basically said, ‘Governor, I think third graders are special.’ She saw another state designate March 3 as Third Graders Day, and I thought it was a great idea.”
During the visit, the governor invited Blakely to speak after the proclamation was read.
“She said, ‘I want to thank you, governor, for doing this proclamation for all third graders in the state of Montana,’” Gianforte recalled. “On behalf of those third graders, she said, ‘You’ve made us very proud.’”
The governor used the visit as an opportunity to talk with students about civic engagement and how government works, answering questions about the branches of government and the role of the governor.
“My message to them was very simple,” Gianforte said. “Your voice is important. Whether it’s a third grader, a high schooler or anybody else, that’s the role of government — to listen to the people.”
Blakely said meeting the governor and seeing her idea become reality was “really fun and amazing.” She also encouraged other students to speak up and share their ideas with leaders.
