Governor Dayton honoring promise, coming to St. Mary's in Bird Island

BIRD ISLAND -- Students at St. Mary's School in Bird Island are preparing to host Governor Mark Dayton next Friday afternoon.

The Governor's office confirmed plans for the Governor's visit today, said School Principal Tracy Bertrand. The governor will be accompanied by State Senator Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls.

The visit honors a promise he made to St. Mary's student McKaia Ryberg. She had invited him to visit her school.

The governor had discovered Ryberg's talents when she sang the national anthem at a Tim Orth Foundation event as a sixth grader in 2010. She accepted his invitation and has performed the national anthem at both the Governor's inauguration one year ago and during an October, 2010 visit by President Barack Obama to Minneapolis.

Principal Bertrand said the school is excited about the upcoming visit and hoping to host an event for all 123 of the elementary students.