Hillary Clinton to speak at Mishawaka High School

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is introduced prior to delivering a housing policy speech

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is introduced prior to delivering a housing policy speech, Monday, March 24, 2008, during a campaign stop at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Mar 27, 2008 at 8:46 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 27, 2008 at 5:43 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — After days of uncertainty it's finally clear where Hillary Clinton will speak when she visits the area Friday.

Senator Clinton speaks at 10:45 a.m. Friday morning in the gymnasium at Mishawaka High School. The event is open to the public and doors will open at 8:45 a.m.

At 2 p.m. Thursday the Democratic Party will hold a press conference at the high school. After the press conference they will begin making signs to welcome Senator Clinton.

School administrators have been in meetings all morning long and will continue throughout the day to prepare for Senator Clinton's visit. But so far the school is being very tight lipped about exact details.

Debbie Block with the Democratic Party says this is an exciting time for all of Mishawaka.

WSBT News was told the superintendent of Mishawaka Schools contacted board members Thursday night to get their opinions on Clinton’s visit, but did not take a formal vote.

The decision for Hillary Clinton to speak at Mishawaka High School came after South Bend schools turned down an offer to have the speech at Washington High School.

School board members tell WSBT a majority of them were against the visit.

Board member Bill Sniadecki, who supported a Clinton visit, says Superintendent Robert Zimmerman told him the school's focus should be on education and he did not want to put students in harm's way.

That decision had Democrats scrambling to find another place for the former First Lady to speak.

Two school board members came to the WSBT Studios Thursday morning to talk about the decision.

Bill Sniadecki wanted the visit to happen.

“It's an opportunity that we probably won't have again. At least the last time [was when] Kennedy was here 40 years ago,” Sniadecki said. “It was chance not only for the west side of South Bend but also for our kids to use this as an educational tool, and be part of history.”

Board member Dawn Jones had some initial concern that if other candidates came to town that they should also be accommodated. But she thinks it would have been a great educational experience.

“I believe that it's something that the students would never forget,” Jones said. “And it might be something that would motivate them to become active in their community and in politics and the whole voting process from now on. This would be an experience that would definitely teach them that their vote matters.”

WSBT News tried to contact Superintendent Robert Zimmerman for an interview. According to a spokesperson, "he has nothing to say on the matter."

Click on the link in the Related Content box to read a press release issued by the school corporation explaining Supt. Zimmerman's decision.

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