Clinton tours his library with schoolchildren

By The Associated Press

Former President Bill Clinton was joined by a couple of busloads of school children Friday when he toured the exhibits in the museum at his presidential library.

Clinton was still in Little Rock after a Wednesday ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the library’s opening. During his talk at that event, Clinton said it is nearing time to update the displays.

Princess Pearson, 11, a student at Gibbs International Magnet School in Little Rock, was among the children who spent time with Clinton. The students didn’t know ahead of time they’d have a special visitor.

“I was very shocked,” Princess said. “They told us to turn around, and there he was.”

She said Clinton spoke about a range of topics, including his time as president and Arkansas governor, and what he’s been doing since leaving office.

Wyn Evans, 11, another Gibbs student, said he was impressed that Clinton had “so much confidence” and “how he made America change so easily.”

The students were toddlers when Clinton left office and said they didn’t remember him being in the White House, though both said they’ve learned about Clinton’s presidency in school.

“I don’t think he’ll be forgotten,” Wyn said.

Gibbs art teacher Susan Purvis, wife of Joe Purvis, a kindergarten classmate of Clinton’s in Hope and organizer behind the effort that turned Clinton’s boyhood home into a museum, said she was impressed with how Clinton connected with the children.

One student was born in Korea and another was born in the Philippines, and Clinton addressed each directly, Purvis said.

Plenty of students were able to shake Clinton’s hand before it was time to go, Purvis said.

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