BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
MONROE — The faces of the students in Danielle Pugliese’s third grade class at Oak Tree Elementary School lit up as Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-New Jersey) strode into their classroom last week.
“It’s Bonnie Watson Coleman,” exclaimed one of the 24 students in the class.
The congresswoman visited three area elementary schools for her second annual “Valentines for Veterans” event, including Oak Tree Elementary School, a kindergarten to third-grade school in Monroe, on Feb. 9.
Schools Superintendent Michael Kozak, Oak Tree School Principal Patricia Dinsmore, school board members and township council members joined the class for the congresswoman’s visit.
Watson Coleman spoke with the students about an event where students create Valentine’s Day cards for military men and women serving overseas and for veterans who have served. The cards will be collected and delivered to the Trenton Veterans Center.
Last year’s Valentines for Veterans event resulted in more than 100 cards for New Jersey veterans.
“This event offers an opportunity to teach our students about the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and to bring a little light and laughter to the men and women who have served in our Armed Services,” Watson Coleman said.
The congresswoman, who is in her first term, also took questions from the students, many of whom have never met a congressperson before.
Pugliese said her class is excited about government and researched Watson Coleman before her visit.
Many students asked her how it was to be a congresswoman and if the work was hard.
“The work is very hard,” she said with a smile. “I have homework every night on bills that have to be voted and debated on. … I have meetings to prepare myself so the work is very hard, but it is good work where I’m proud to use my values.”
Watson Coleman, whose seat is up for reelection in November, also noted that she has to read a thick book every night for homework.
Nine-year-old Amulya Gowda raised her hand and said if she was old enough to vote she would vote for the congresswoman in November.
Watson Coleman smiled and thanked the youngster.
After the congresswoman’s visit, the students began writing notes in their Valentine’s Day cards to the veterans.
Rishi Shah, 9, said it felt good making the cards for those people who have risked their lives to keep them safe.
“It is very special to me that you are doing a great deed for my country,” he wrote.
Amulya said she felt compassion when writing the card and was happy that she could participate.
“It’s not every day that [the veterans] get a ‘Thank you’ for protecting our country,” she said.
Watson Coleman also visited William L. Anthel Elementary School in Ewing and Ethel McKnight Elementary School in Hightstown.