Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton sits with students in the lunch room during her visit Monday, April 11, 2016, at W.R. McNeill Elementary School. Lt. Gov. Hampton toured the school to learn about the Leader In Me program. (Miranda Pederson/photo@bgdailynews.com)

Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton urged students at a local elementary school Monday to “never lose that drive for service.”

Hampton visited W.R. McNeill Elementary School to learn about the school’s Leader In Me program, a leadership program based on Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” During her visit, which was arranged through the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Hampton toured the school and met students. 

“Don’t ever put elected officials up on a pedestal, because all we are are public servants,” Hampton told a group of about 40 students on the school’s leadership team. 

Coming from a background in the U.S. Air Force, Hampton sees holding a public office as an “extension of service.” She asked students to share community projects they’re working on, such as picking up trash and helping raise money for sick kids. Hampton also commended the students on their leadership training and encouraged them to hold on to what they’ve learned. 

“Take what you’ve studied here, just be sure to take that with you, because that will serve you well,” she said. 

Before meeting students, Hampton toured the school with Principal Kelli Brooks, who explained the Leader In Me program by pointing out posters and bulletin boards scattered throughout the school’s halls. 

The Leader In Me program teaches kids to develop seven habits to be successful in life, such as being proactive, planning ahead and listening before talking. It’s been adopted in Bowling Green Independent Schools and Warren County Schools to promote employee “soft skills,” such as showing up to work on time. 

Signs throughout the school encourage kids to adopt mottos, such as “Begin with the End in Mind.” Hampton jokingly pointed to a sign encouraging students to think win-win and said “I’m thinking budget process,” referring to deadlocked lawmakers in Frankfort.  

While meeting with students in Sarah Wilder’s fifth-grade class, Hampton talked about working in the box industry and took questions about her background. 

After a student asked why she wanted to be lieutenant governor, Hampton said she “just wanted to help improve our state.”

She later ended her visit by chatting with students having lunch in the school cafeteria. Hampton declined to talk to the Daily News, saying she wasn’t doing interviews Monday.

“I loved that she brought the message of service to our kids,” Brooks said of Hampton’s visit.

Allison Crabtree, a fifth-grader of the school’s leadership team, said Hampton’s visit was fun. 

“I learned that being a leader impacts what you’ll do in life,” she said, adding that “She is impacting the world now.” 

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.