Every Next Generation Leader at the Table: Lt. Governor Molly Gray Visits Burr and Burton
This week Burr and Burton Students had a chance to speak directly with Molly Gray in her first visit to campus as Lieutenant Governor.
Gray had breakfast with Headmaster Tashjian in the Rowland Center where they filmed an impromptu interview in which students got to hear her speak directly about the issues that are most important to her as Lieutenant Governor.
In the interview, which became part of the day’s virtual assembly, Gray made it clear that she’s out to engage Vermont students in the democratic process: “Our future is the next generation . . . ” She said, appealing to students. “Really lean into service . . . this is the moment where we need every next generation leader at the table participating and getting excited about what we can do.”
Afterwards, Gray attended two World and US History classes and sat in on Associate Head of School Meg Kenny’s advisory.
In the advisory, students had the chance to ask Gray questions about her work. After Gray briefly introduced the topic of an aging population and therefore a shrinking workforce in Vermont, one student asked, “How do you think we should deal with the shrinking workforce?”
“It’s my number one focus . . . How many of you are passionate about climate action? We need to be thinking about what jobs we can go into as a state and as a nation that really make significant change . . . We need to make sure that Vermont is a place where the next generation can thrive. If you go out and explore the world, which I hope you do–or if you stay in Vermont, which I also hope you do–you need to know that there’s a landing pad here for you.”
In December, Gray announced that she’s running for the U.S. congressional seat that’s being vacated by Representative Peter Welch. In describing this choice to students, she referenced her earlier refrain about leaning into service and leadership, “We all have to ask ourselves this question at times–do you step back or step forward? I decided to step forward, and run for congress.”
Just before the group dispersed, Gray returned to her message about engaging in democracy: “We need all of you–we need the next generation to feel that this government is yours. It’s not mine because I’m Lieutenant Governor; it’s all of ours.”
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