Strongsville Students Become State Representatives for the Day

Sometimes, it’s good to judge books by their covers. 

Over the summer, Rachel George, a sixth grader at , wrote the titles of several books she had read on the back of a bookmark, Whitney principal Jim Carpenter said. 

The bookmark served as an entry form for Rep. Mike Dovilla’s (R-Berea) “Representative for a Day” contest, and Rachel’s selection proved to be the winner. 

Rachel and her second-grade sister, Colleen, just recently made the trip down to Columbus, met Dovilla and were granted a behind-the-scenes tour of the Ohio Statehouse. 

Rachel, who wants to be an attorney one day, was “thrilled” to be there, said Carpenter.

“One of the great privileges of serving as state representative is the opportunity to welcome young citizens and their families to the People’s House,” said Dovilla in a prepared statement. “The enthusiasm Colleen and Rachel brought with them to the Statehouse demonstrated how meaningful the ‘Representative for a Day’ program is for future leaders of the Buckeye State.” 

Dovilla has pledged to extend the contest through the winter to recognize and reward children for their commitment to reading and learning, he said. 

In doing so, the state representative will renew his partnership with the Cuyahoga County Library in 2012, and fresh sets of bookmark entry forms will soon be found at area branches.