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Strode Station Elementary School had Kentucky royalty grace its halls last Friday.

The reigning Miss Kentucky, Hannah Edelen, was invited by George Roger Clark High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America and Clark County Farm Bureau to speak to students and make a special presentation.

“Hannah Edelen talked about growing up on a farm and the influence her family, especially her grandmother Bessie, had in shaping her dreams. From a little girl, she always wanted to be a teacher. She figured out that with hard work and the help/influence of others, she would reach her goal, which she did. She told the students about the four things she had to accomplish to become Miss Kentucky — an intense interview, a talent (clogging), stage confidence, and public speaking,” said Principal Ruthann Sharrock.

Edelen also gave an “excellent message” to the students, Sharrock said.

“Her message to the students was R.E.A.D.Y. Read widely, expand your knowledge, ask questions, dare to dream, and yee haw- you are ready! She showed two books she has written about horses Hank and Honey, and she donated a copy to our library. She really showed an interest in our kids in what they thought as she asked them questions throughout. Miss Kentucky was great with our students. Her teacher instincts were evident throughout her presentation,” she said.

Part of Edelen’s platform as Miss Kentucky is agriculture literacy which went hand-in-hand with the special presentation to strode.

“The FFA students built a book barn for our library and donated agriculture books for it,” Sharrock said. “The FFA also donated a binder to our school full of lesson plans to go along with some of the books. Strode is very appreciative of the book barn donation and the books.

A book barn is a bookcase shaped like a barn, complete with a barn quilt piece square on top with the FFA logo. Sharrock said she believes that the majority of the elementary schools in Clark County have had one donated.