By Danielle Lesure
July 28, 2008

Among a class of 3rd graders in Fallis Elementary School, he stood tall with his sharp grey coat and slender physique. With an unpretentious soul, now a minority among minorities, he acknowledged the true majority. Students of Latino descent, and former refugee students from countries such as Somalia and Sudan, sat on the floor at the front of the classroom with their legs crossed and heads high looking eagerly towards this kid-friendly humble spirit. “Why are you visiting our school,” one Latina girl sincerely asked in a soft voice. Her eyes were big and brown and in them was a newfound pride that came just by directing the question personally to him. He gleefully responded, “In the old days, mayors never got involved with schools ...but when I got elected I said that I was going to visit every single school in this city to get a sense of how you guys are doing...plus, I love to hang out with kids!” “I do too!” eagerly shouted a Latino boy from the front, recognizing his newfound personal connection with the mayor.

“How many of you know Spanish,” the mayor then asked. Most of the class raised their hands in excitement. At this school, 80% of its students were English language learners so it was not surprising for the mayor, nor intimidating. He announced, “When I ran for office, I would tell some people ‘me llamo Hickenloco!’” The children laughed, even those who did not speak Spanish.

After laughter came his famous thought provoking speech that he delivers frequently during site visits in every classroom he enters, even pre-K. “How many of you are going to college some day?” Planting the seed early, every child excitedly raised their hands, with the exception of the Latino boy who earlier found his connection with the mayor. However, this disconnect was resolved when the mayor instantaneously motioned and demanded, “Jesus, you put your hand up too!” Jesus responded, “College is expensive.” “I got news for you Jesus, and all of your class...our city is the only one that will pay for you to graduate from college...it does not matter if your parents cannot afford it or not because its free...all you have to do is work a little harder, read a little more, play game boy a little less.” The mayor was then interrupted from across the other side of his audience by a Latino boy whose voice stood out but face was buried amongst his colleagues, “Did you say play game boy more?” “No,” laughed the mayor. “You need to listen a little more.”

Students then asked the mayor questions about college – what is it like, where do you live while attending, is it fun. After attending to each one, the mayor said, “ College is great because the people who graduate are funnier, look better, and make $1 million dollars more than if they just graduated high school.” “Wow, that’s a lot of money,” said Jesus. The mayor explained, “remember it takes hard work, a little more time on homework, a little less time on x-box or talking on the phone...you need to start right now though, right in this classroom.” The kids nodded in agreement; one even suggested that the mayor give their class more homework. The spirit of hope beyond what they envision now planted a dream in them. Each different, each becoming more real. Whether it lasts for a moment or beyond that moment – I cannot say. However, with all the seeds being planted, I believe that the efforts are bound to bear some good fruit for this city.

Upon leaving the classroom, the children shouted, “Thank you Mayor Hickenlooper!” and waved him goodbye. He waved back with a smile.

Noticing my observation in the back and keen note taking as a researcher, I was approached by his staff member, a short professionally dressed Latina woman with long dark brown hair. She leaned and whispered, “If you think that’s something, please...that’s nothing, I’ve seen him square dance before at a site visit with students.” She explained, “He has a genuine interest for students...very genuine.”

The site visit was over an hour long. We went through every classroom, including remedial reading and special education. With no photo ops, no media coverage, no journalists, no cameras. I only captured this moment by experiencing it with him and the students of Fallis Elementary School.