Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
When asking a child a question, one thing is certain, the truth will come out.
Jay Polen has asked students of Craig County’s schools the same question for several years now. Polen represents the Retired Teachers Association as he goes to the schools and asks students this question.
This year he posed the question: “What do you love about Craig County?” to fourth graders.
“I like asking the students this question, as you get honest answers that are their ideas,” Polen said.
“This is my home too!” Polen shared with a warm smile. “I love it here.”
He has been asking students for several years this question and said that he thoroughly enjoys reading the answers of the students, “I love Craig County because…”
- In the summer you can go fishing and swimming in your pool and it snows a lot in the winter and there is a lot of wildlife, and you can go hiking in the summer Trinity
- It has so much fun stuff. My family and friends are here. Summer days we jump in a creek. Craig county is a good school. I love Craig County sports. Craig county is fun. Bryan
- I can get to Bibos walking. I love the wildlife, the mountains, and there is little traffic So I can go to the gas station to get a snack. Colton
- The random house burnings, birds screaming at each other at 3:00 AM, jerks stealing cats and random fireworks that sound like gunshots. It is really something else. Lily
- I love all the fish, the land, the people that live here, my mom and dad. My favorite thing is the sights to see. Austin
- The school is amazing, and you just got to get used to it. The stores got everything that you need and are friendly. James
- I know a lot of people in it, the deer, foxes, bears And birds. It is where I love to be and of course my family! Emily
- because I do demolition Derby in Craig County and I run Power Wheels and I watch my dad run full size. It is a blast and fun to run derbies! I ride my four-wheeler. I drift it. It is fun. Trever
- I can see my friends and work and play sports with my friends. And all my teachers are really nice. Jayce
- I can come to school and learn and have a teacher I can depend on and when I go home I can spend time with my family. I can come to school and if I need help my friends are there to help me. I love my friends and family and my teacher taught me a lot. I need to learn even though I didn’t listen all the time but all the time I didn’t do all I needed to do but my parents helped me through. Kamber
- It’s quiet, peaceful, everyone knows each other, you feel safe and there’s a beautiful view of the mountains. Also in the summer you can swim in a Creek. McKenna
- The creeks, the animals, my friends, the teachers, my dogs, my family, and the people that retired did a good job. Ellie
- It is so silent. There is so much land everywhere. There are so many trees and animals that are good for food. I love to get to explore the forest! The Creek is full of minnows and crawfish. There are butterflies and plants! Ronan
- All my church members and friends are here. I also like it because there is not a lot of cars around so I can walk around. I like Craig County the most because of the fresh air. Grace
- It’s very small and all my friends and family live here. The mountains look beautiful at sunset. It’s never too hot or too cold and the wildlife is beautiful and all the teachers at school are so nice. Allie
- It is so quiet, lovely, pretty, hot, cold and I can swim in the pool and Creek. I can go to the park and see my friends. I can go to school and learn. Skylyn
- I have lived here my whole life and I love it. People are so nice, and it is private.
- I can go to any place but Craig County is my favorite. Everything you do is amazing. It might be small but I call it home. Thank you Craig for being a place I can rely on. Braylon
- The mountains, the view, and my school. I get to see my friends and I have a wonderful family and a small but happy town. Liam
- It is a small peaceful place. What I love the most about Craig is my friends and family. The school is small but a great place. When I come in school I always look forward because I always know that they will brighten my day. That’s why I love Craig County. Akira
- I love going outside, seeing my friends, playing basketball and I love the scenery. It is a nice place. Easton
- People are so nice here and the school is so lovely and it’s so small and cute. I like how small it is and Craig is patient with you. This is the most best school ever. Kayla
- I like it best because it has 3000 hunting and fishing spots. Micoln
- The best place to be is in the mountain and you can walk. Our town is small but all the people are kind. Braxton
- All the memories like my birthdays and my family and my friends and I love how I’m playing, traveling to softball with my BFFs and being at school with some of my favorite teachers and Mrs. Stevens. Payton
- I get to see all of my friends and family and have fun outside with my friends and family. I have been living here for 10 years and grew up here and I love my dogs and cats. Ainsley
- Rose are red Violet or blue I love Craig County so do you. Dallas
- Whenever I walk into town I always see some of my friends and just see so many kind people walking around Craig. I always need to say hello and I have so many memories and whenever I look up I get to see the beautiful view. Madalyn
- It is a wonderful place from long summer nights to short winter days from swimming in the pool. And my Girl Scout meetings, going to school to see your friends. Craig will always be my home. No matter where or when I go. Even if it is small it is the best of all. Anastasia
- I have friends and family here. Camping in Craig with family is a lot of fun. I like the school in Craig County because I get to learn new stuff from nice teachers. Sarrina
- It is peaceful and beautiful and the mountains are amazing the view. Kylee
- My friends and family. My friends make me laugh and the view is really nice. I love my dog Bubba and my cats and my crabs. I definitely recommend coming to McCleary. Lily
- The mountains, rivers, sunsets, the Friends I make, and the friendly citizens and the dogs that live in Craig County. Toby
- There are rarely any crimes here. It’s so peaceful and everybody’s nice. Also the view here is terrific! Mountains and fields and forests everywhere! It’s nice to take a walk around town. I enjoy places like mikes icehouse, Bibos, Subway, and Pinetop. There are so many places to go! And Craig is not too busy like Roanoke or Salem. The school here is amazing! You’ll have friends here young or old that will always be by your side through thick or thin and you’ll know when they’ll be at school that day! Craig is the best! Mason
- I love the scenery like the mountains, all the animals are amazing, like bobcats, deer and turtles. I also love Craig’s Creek. It is home to many organisms like toads and fish. Many people love this county and I could agree! The views are beautiful and so are the sunrises. It is amazing to live here in Craig. I would love to visit other places but Craig is probably my favorite. I grew up here on a farm. There are many farms here. I would rather call it Craig country! Ha ha Emery
In reading their responses, many shared the same, yet others were very verbal and specific.
