Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker walked the halls of NHS learning and sharing thoughts of public schools and budgets on Thursday April 13.

The governor’s visit to NHS April 13 in the morning resulted in a tour of the school, a speech, answering questions, and art students sharing why art in our school is important. Gov. Scott Walker (Rep.) talked with a small portion of students in Pickard Auditorium about his budget proposal and investing in K through 12 education.

Extra police presence at most entrances and security covered the governor because of  threats of shooting and violence. District Communication Director Jim Strick and administrators were also present to escort Gov. Scott Walker from location to location. Students were told to take different entrances to get to class because of police blocking off doors. Students and staff were not allowed to leave their classrooms during each mod. Staff members were also told to shut their door until the bell rings. Safety during the governor’s visit was a visible priority.

Certain leadership classes were chosen in the morning to listen to Walker’s speech. Students had many thoughts prepared and were able to ask him straight up questions. However, the feedback from students was not all positive. Multiple students, mostly upperclassmen, complained that he would not answer their actual question. He would tend to repeat the same answer to every student. Even more students complained that it is not equal, or right for only a few classes to listen to his speech.

NHS senior Charley Hrobsky was active in a leadership class that was chosen to go down to the library Thursday morning. Hrobsky said, “I liked that he opened up an amount of time for questions, even if he only allowed three questions. Hrobsky and many other students and staff responded that Walker did not really answer questions. A majority of students felt disappointed with this. Hrobsky had no idea why he chose NHS besides his connections with the mayor and superintendent. “I wish he would have stayed after his talk longer and left more time for questions and healthy debate,” she said. She was not the only one to say this, as multiple students and faculty agreed.

Before his question and answer session Gov. Scott Walker (Rep.) enjoyed a thorough walk through of art students’ murals and creations. A few art students were chosen to leave second mod halfway through to express and present the importance of art in our school. A mural outside the cafeteria was showcased representing diversity that brings us all together. Every student at NHS is different, but when people come together to work on art, emotions become agreeable. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity to share NHS’s pride.

The governor and his security left NHS April 13 with a new experience. Gov. Scott Walker said, “This was my first time here actually,” smiling. Handpicked students and staff enjoyed the experience of meeting their governor and expressing the importance of art in our schools.