INDIANTOWN – Sadie Schupp is a sparkling, bright-eyed, blonde-haired second grader at Warfield Elementary. She and her classmates recently learned about the American government in English Language Arts (ELA) using MCSD's new Benchmark curriculum. Students were given the task of researching a governmental person of their choice and writing an essay. Schupp took the initiative to investigate the role of a mayor.

The mayor of Indiantown told the Independent that she was surprised when Schupp's mother notified her about the essay and the child's desire to meet Mayor Clarke. Clarke said the child understood the governmental differences, "A mayor runs the city while a president runs a country." The mayor said she was honored to visit and address the class about her position as a policymaker. Also, being a leader who wanted to hear from them as her constituents.

"I was privileged to go to the school and meet the young stars." Clarke added that she wrote a personal note of thanks and encouragement to Schupp. She also gave the child a journal and writing supplies.

Clarke said she found the correlation between Schupp's essay and the current creative writing contest, with the Florida League of Mayors and the Florida League of Cities, remarkable.

"The contest has sixth thru eighth graders writing essays on, 'What would you do if you were elected mayor?'" Clarke said arrangements for Indiantown Middle School students to participate were ongoing. The first-place winner will receive $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100 in gift cards. The deadline for the contest is Jan. 30. The mayor added that she desired to be instrumental in creating a foundation where creative writing would be perpetual in Indiantown.

On Oct. 21, Clarke visited Warfield Elementary during Florida City Government Week. The mayor and other council members greeted students and parents as children arrived for class.

"We opened our doors for future leaders," said Clarke but returned the conversation to Schupp. "She's bold," the mayor announced. "Only in the second grade, but she's bold. It's refreshing." She concluded that she encouraged the young writer to "always look up and keep reaching for the stars" because that being "a bestselling author" wasn't out of the question. "Sadie has a writer's edge."

In July, the Florida State Education Board approved revised civics curriculum standards, shifting to a more robust instruction on the United States government and capitalism advantages. The adoption has received both praise and criticism from education officials and policymakers.