Students at Ellsworth Elementary got a firsthand lesson in leadership this month — not from a textbook, but from a hometown role model.
Maine State Representative Nicole Grohoski returned to her hometown roots to read Grace for President to a gym full of curious elementary kids – sparking conversations about leadership, representation, and the power of believing in yourself. The book follows a young girl named Grace who boldly declares she wants to be president — and then runs a spirited campaign to prove she’s up for the job. It’s a story about courage, equality, and civic engagement, and it struck a chord with students and Grohoski alike.
“It’s a great book that teaches students that anyone with a passion for serving can run for office and win,” Grohoski shared. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or boy or where you come from. If you want to make a difference, you should be able to do that.”
For the students, the visit was a chance to meet someone who once sat where they sit — quite literally. And it was a chance for Grohoski to get back, and give back, to where she grew up!
“It’s so fun,” she says, smiling. “It’s not the exact same gym floor, of course, but I remember being here. It's good to see them, to understand what questions they're asking, and just to be reminded that they really matter, and that we need to do our best to support students and educators.”
Grohoski says she doesn’t quite remember if any local representatives were guest speakers when she was a young Falcon. Everyone remembers their visits from firefighters and other guests, but it isn’t too common that a representative takes to the schools rather than the State House. Beyond the personal walk through memory lane, Grohoski’s visit carried a deeper message: that government isn’t some far-off concept. It’s a great career path for the next generation - one that stresses the importance of community, connection, and service — and it’s something students can aspire to.
“When kids see someone who went to their same school now in office trying to do good things, it’s a reminder that government is here to make a difference,” she said. “It’s not something to ignore or throw to the side.”
And while speaking to third and fourth graders might not be her most common stop as a state representative, it’s one she values deeply.
“Students are our future — everyone says that, but it’s really the truth,” Grohoski said. “When I go to the State House and I have to vote on bills, it's things like this that I remember that influence my decisions - because it’s a memory.”