Once the sounds of silly children's songs and performers with poodles had subsided, our event at the New Mexico State Fair launched with the governor's proclamation that September 16th is "Step Up For Kids Day in New Mexico." Reading that proclamation along with a letter from his boss Senator Jeff Bingaman was Marc Wunder. Later Marc's life-sized old man puppet flirted with Miss New Mexico and joked with kids in the audience.
»See article in Albuquerque Journal
Many of the organizations joining us came up to the podium to talk about their mentoring, after-school and early childhood programs. Booths were manned by more than 35 organizations that gave out balloons and books and did fun kids' activities. Nick, a local 12 year old entrepreneur, gave out business cards while demonstrating his mind-boggling card tricks. He hopes to get some gigs from the appearance. Between performances by dancers and musicians from some of those after-school programs, a candidate forum took place.
Three of the four congressional candidates who confirmed in advance took the microphone to talk about children's issues. Candidates, Carol Miller (I) and Ben R Luján (D) from congressional district three and Martin Heinrich (D) from the first district answered questions from Byron and Melanie, two young leaders from Farmington. Heinrich's opponent Darren White (R) did not make the event.
Miss New Mexico stressed the importance of after-school programs to keeping kids away from alcohol and drugs. Her favorite cause is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and she has been a tireless spokes person for quality after-school programming in New Mexico since she first put on her crown. Kids were not only crowding into the crafts tent to make jewelry and toy bugs, but they were also lining up to vote in the children's presidential election. In our children's election, for their favorite ice cream flavor, chocolate ice cream took first place with 84 votes, followed by strawberry with 66, and vanilla with 63.
