Field Trip to Wells Fargo

Yesterday, 3 STA students had the opportunity to visit Chris Rogers at the nearby Wells Fargo, 4141 Lyndale Ave. N.

Who is Chris Rogers you might ask?

Chris is a former NFL player (Vikings; Seahawks). He graduated from Howard University in Washington D.C. He works at Wells Fargo as a personal banker and Community Business Specialist.

In early January, I stopped by the bank and while waiting in line, I started talking to Brain Kruschke, the branch manager. I just so happened (wink*) to have a few flyers about our lunch program "Bring the White House to Our House!" I talked to Brian about the program and $ donations. Brian gave me Wells Fargo's donation request info (aka lots of hoops and red tape AND he introduced me to Chris, who has a heart of gold! flyers

Two Fridays ago, Chris visited STA as our inspiration guest speaker for our Friday morning assembly. Chris' theme: "You Gotta Believe!" He talked to our students about the importance of education and of never giving up on yourself or your dreams. Since he is from Washington D.C., he was the perfect person to talk to our students about representing themselves well when we travel to the White House in March. Chris was also there for my announcement: OUR GOAL = 1,000 LETTERS by January 31st.

That very day at lunch, I gave our students the opportunity to write a letter to Chris. Many students were of course interested in his NFL career! They also thanked him for coming to to the assembly and invited him to come to STA for lunch in our Banquet Hall so they could get to know him better.

SO, yesterday I took 3 very special students to Wells Fargo to DELIVER the packet of letters to Chris. Two of the students (4th graders) wrote letters to Chris, and the other student (5h grader) wrote 20 letters to President Obama in one day!

The students were nervous before we left. Sweaty palms and butterflies. So, while we waited, I taught them how to make a great first impression: a good handshake. We practiced until it became natural and then piled into the car with the letters and headed up the street to the bank...

When we arrived, the students were shy but smiling! Chris and Brian welcomed us and greeted each student with a handshake. "That's a strong handshake," they commented to our students. I was beaming inside and so proud of all three of them!

Chris invited them into his office and fielded questions like the pro that he is, and asked a few too. However, when Chris brought up Beyonce and Brittney as possible singers to look up to, he struck out: too dated, I guess. And before we left, Brian gave each student a Wells Fargo Wagon piggy bank and said, "Once you fill this up, bring it back in and we'll set up a college fund for you."

One student informed me at lunch today that she already has 55 cents in college bank.

Thank you Chris, Brian, and Wells Fargo for inspiring our students, mentoring this community, and spreading the joy. "You Gotta Believe!" and "We Do!"

Love, Ms. G