Allie Swanson, an eighth grader at Clarkston Junior High School, took the day off Thursday in honor of National Day of Prayer.
She kept busy ? she offered a Reading for Education to more than 1,000 people at the state Capitol building in Lansing.
‘It was really exciting. I was really honored,? Swanson said.
As she got to the podium set up on the Capitol steps, wind blew away the card on which she had her verses written. Fortunately, she had it memorized and delivered her part successfully.
‘I mixed up a couple parts, but I got the point across,? she said.
Her mother, Martha Swanson, is a member of Moms In Touch, an international prayer group. They needed a student for the event, so she asked Allie if she could participate.
‘I was really proud of her,? Martha said.
A few protesters were in attendance, opposed to the event being held on Capitol grounds. Some of the student readers, Swanson included, spoke to one of them.
‘He told us his story ? it was sad,? she said. ‘I wanted to reach out to him.?