“Your courage is a candle in the dark,” former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said to students at Roberts Academy at Mercer University on Sept. 9.
This was among several lessons shared during his visit to the Academy, where he signed copies of his new children’s book, Veto, the Governor’s Cat, spoke to Roberts Academy and Tift College of Education students, and toured the school.
Roberts Academy, which opened Aug. 14, is the only transitional elementary school of its kind in Georgia outside of metro Atlanta. Its mission is to prepare students with dyslexia in second through fifth grades to achieve academic success through dynamic educational programs.
Deal, who served as Georgia’s governor from 2011 to 2019, wrote his book in memory of his late wife, Sandra Deal, who was a passionate advocate for literacy.
The book is inspired by the real-life adventures of Veto and Bill, two cats originally brought to the Governor’s Mansion to guard its garden from chipmunks. After the Deals left office, the cats moved with them to Habersham County.
The book is illustrated by Cheryl Riner Hodge, who accompanied Deal on his visit along with his daughter, Carrie Deal.
“It’s nice for everybody to see a different side of him. And it’s definitely been a cathartic process for him to write this book for my mom. It’s certainly a promise fulfilled, and it’s been so well-received,” Carrie Deal said.
Deal, a current University trustee, earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees at Mercer. He also was appointed Distinguished University Professor of Government.
“He said (the book tour) is like being on the campaign trail but a lot more fun,” Carrie Deal said. “It’s been great seeing him talk about something that mom was so excited about and that we know is so important across the state, and that’s the literacy of our children.”
During his time with students, Deal shared about the characters in his book, including Oliver the Owl, Priscilla the Porcupine, and Racquel the Raccoon. He even did several impersonations of the characters, which elicited quite a few giggles out of the Academy’s students.
“The characters, each one of them, teach (Veto) a lesson that we need to learn as a society and as children in particular,” Deal said. “Things like kindness, the ability to have friends. Even though they may not look or act or be able to do the same things that you can, you can still be friends. And, of course, how to deal with loss.”
Tillman Kitchens, a third grader at the Academy, said he enjoyed Deal’s visit.
“I really liked his story. I loved how he used his imagination, and even though his wife died, he still kept pushing and never stopped writing (the story),” he said.
Among those in attendance during Deal’s visit were several students from Mercer’s Tift College of Education. The Academy will partner with the College to ensure future educators learn about dyslexia and how to best teach their future students.
“I am thrilled to have welcomed Gov. Deal to Mercer and Roberts Academy,” said Dr. Thomas Koballa, dean of the Tift College of Education. “His visit provided an invaluable opportunity for Tift students to learn firsthand from a leader who understands the importance of literacy and education. The College’s partnership with Roberts Academy is a testament to our commitment to equipping future educators with the skills and knowledge needed to support dyslexic learners.”
The event was a full-circle moment for Joy Wood, the Academy’s head of school, who fondly remembers meeting Sandra Deal in 2019.
“We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Deal for his visit to Roberts Academy,” she said. “It was an honor to welcome him here, especially because I had the privilege of meeting Sandra Deal when she read to my students at my former school in Atlanta. Her kindness and commitment to literacy made a lasting impact, and we are honored to be a part of her continued legacy.”
Roberts Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment.