Published: July 03, 2008 09:06 pm      

Children show off their knowledge of our nation’s birth

PRINCETON — Lots of facts and stories surround the struggle that gave America its freedom, but local children were working to drink it all in just before the Fourth of July.

Children attending Energy Express at Mercer School took a few moments from their arts and crafts Thursday to answer a few questions about the Revolutionary War and its connection with July 4. The program, operating for six weeks at Mercer School, Oakvale School, Bluefield Intermediate and Lashmeet/Matoaka School, gives children reading activities and nutritious meals while schools are closed for the summer.

Thoughts turned to the nation’s birthday when questions about the Fourth of July were asked. For instance, after the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, who did they know was going to read it?

“They sent it to the king,” said 10-year-old Amber Burton.

And what was this British king’s name?

“I know his name, but I just can’t think of it right now,” Amber replied after a moment. “We talked about it in school before the summer. I know who signed it (declaration) first and who had the biggest signature. It was John Adams.”

Exactly why did the American colonies rebel against England?

“Taxes?” ventured 9-year-old Treylen Whittaker.

“They were sending tea and making us pay taxes on it,” Amber added. “The king got really mad because we were blocking the ports.”

Matthew Belcher, 8, wasn’t quite sure about the king’s name, either. He tried another question with Amber and they both made some very good guesses.

Where did General Washington and his army spend a cold, dreary winter during the war?

“Alaska?” Amber replied.

“Antarctica?” Matthew guessed.

Younger Energy Express kids were thinking mainly about their plans for the three-day weekend. Six-year-old Maddie Blankenship said the fireworks were her favorite part of the holiday, and the pink ones are her very favorite.

Nathaniel Bailey, also 6-years-old, thought carefully before naming America’s first president. “George Bush?” he said. His favorite fireworks are the blue ones.

Six-year-old Ruby Cole made a very good guess and got the other half of the first president’s name.

“Washington D.C.?” Ruby said. She planned on playing with her mother and making Fourth of July arts and crafts with her.

The children were sure whose side they would have taken if they had lived during the very first Fourth of July.

“I would have been on George Washington’s side,” Amber said. “I like George Washington. He was a really cool guy.”

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com