Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
Gov. Kay Ivey visited Holtville Elementary School, Oct. 7, 2025, for a patriotic program celebrating America’s upcoming 250th birthday — along with the values of education, leadership, and school pride.
As the governor’s motorcade arrived, the Holtville High School band filled the air with lively music, cheerleaders danced in welcome, and student leaders waved with big smiles. Inside the gymnasium, cheers erupted as Gov. Ivey entered, greeted by a sea of waving flags and little smiling faces.
Students and faculty kicked off the program with the pledge, national anthem, and warm messages for the governor, welcoming her to the podium for words of wisdom.
“As your governor, I have lots of responsibilities, but the thing I am most focused on is making sure all of you have the best education possible,” said Gov. Ivey.
She then asked the young audience what they hoped to be when they grew up. Hands shot into the air as future doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and teachers were eager to share their dreams.
“To be a strong steward of our nation, you have to be a strong student first,” said Gov. Ivey. “That means that when you face a hard math problem, you keep working until you solve it, and when you’re reading a book that feels tricky, you keep turning those pages.”
Gov. Ivey concluded her speech with a hearty, “GO BULLDOGS,” earning her a loud and thunderous applause from across the room.
To close the visit, students presented the governor with a bouquet of flowers and a handmade poster, thanking her for her visit and wishing both her and America a happy early birthday.
