AUBURN – Charles “Chip” Morrison, president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, made a visit to Walton Elementary School’s fifth and sixth grade classrooms recently. He shared with the students an important message: “Stay in school.”

As part of the Auburn School Department’s Vision 2020, teachers at Walton are working with community members to help students “communicate effectively, collaborate successfully, think flexibly and transfer their knowledge and abilities to new situations, technologies and contexts.” Morrison is one in a series of speakers from the Auburn area who have joined Walton’s fifth and sixth graders with the intention of enriching student learning through community involvement.

Morrison “graciously agreed to come in and speak with Walton’s fifth and sixth graders to inspire students to realize the importance of education,” said Garrett Goldsmith, fifth and sixth grade teacher at Walton. “Morrison told the students about his job at the Chamber, the businesses that he works with and the kinds of jobs that are available today.” Morrison also engaged with the students about the careers they hope to have as adults.

He ended his discussion by telling the students, “The more education you get, the more options you’ll have.”