Smart, U.S. Secretary of Education meet with local school

Zachary Holden
Staff Writer

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan set out on a two week long bus tour across America on Sept. 12. The second to last stop was in Richmond at Thomas H. Henderson Middle School.

Shaka Smart joined him to speak with the students about the importance of education and physical fitness. The children were outside playing games when Duncan and Smart joined them for some small talk.

“Are you kids going to go to VCU?” Shaka asked a group of three.

“Sorry, but I’m going to Yale,” responded one.

“That’s a good school too, I guess,” Smart said jokingly.

The two moved inside to meet and greet some more school kids, as well as a few officials from the Richmond Public School system.

The highlight of the afternoon was when the event moved into the gymnasium and basketballs were provided. Duncan and Smart picked up basketballs and began to play as about 150 middle school students filed into the gym and the play began. Five students joined their special guests in an altered game of HORSE.

As an All-American and co-captain of Harvard’s basketball team during his college years, Duncan showed that his skills have not diminished. Making almost every shot he took, he quickly showed up Smart and the participating students.

Duncan then gave a speech to the children about the importance of education for their future.

Smart also stepped up and told them how vital learning and fitness are to one’s life in general.

“It’s a fact that kids with good physical fitness have better grades and do better in school,” said Smart repeatedly.

He wanted to make sure all of the students were rooting for VCU this season, to ensure the whole city was behind what he referred to as “Richmond’s team.”

“Are there any University of Richmond fans here?” asked Smart. With two or three hands raised, he joked, “That looks to be an accurate representation of UofR’s fans in the city.”

Before Smart took his final shot on the court, four feet behind the three point line, the announcer stopped him.

“Let’s make a bet- if Shaka makes this shot, VCU goes to the Final Four this year,” he said to the crowd.

Getting his attention, Smart said “No. If I make this, we win it all.”

His shot swished through the net, and the mass of children erupted into cheering applause. CT