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MISSOULA, Mont. – March 3rd, the third day of the third month, is officially “Third Graders Day” in Montana by proclamation of Governor Greg Gianforte.

The proclamation came at the request of Blakely, a Bonner Elementary student.

“I just feel so thankful and happy for everybody in Montana that are third graders and that are going to be third graders,” Blakely said in a video posted by Gianforte. 

Gianforte said Blakely sent him a letter asking him to sign a proclamation recognizing Montana’s third grade students, which led to him to sign the proclamation and visit her classroom.

“At Bonner elementary today, we had fun encouraging her classmates to be passionate about the things important to them,” Gianforte said in a Facebook post.

The proclamation describes how third graders are “at a pivotal stage in their academic journey, demonstrating significant growth in reading, writing, math and critical thinking skills” and declares “Third Graders Day” to honor and recognize the students and their achievements.