“The world that we create for ourselves and others matters,” Robinson said. “The truth that children need to hear is that knowing history, understanding the stories we tell and the narratives we create impacts all of us.”

Guests at Wednesday night’s inaugural Student Leadership Dinner were surprised with a visit by Chet Edwards, who made the dinner his first official public appearance since leaving office as congressman for District 17 this past November, a position he has held for the past 20 years.