By JOANNA MCINTYRE

Staff Writer

Champ, Tech XIX and Dr. Jim King, vice president of student affairs, were the stars of a recent show-and-tell for first-graders at A.E. Phillips Laboratory School.

Karen Roberson, a first-grade teacher at A.E. Phillips, said her class was ecstatic to hear the local celebrities would be their afternoon visitors.

King was asked to visit his seven-year-old son Collin's class Nov. 19 as the "Friday Father."

Each week, a different student's father is asked to educate the class about his career and any other interests.

The fathers usually inform the students as well as plan a fun activity or bring a snack.

King said he was fortunate to be able to tell the class about a career he values.

"This [was] a wonderful opportunity for a parent to spend time in their child's classroom," King said. "I enjoyed introducing characters that I work with on a daily basis."

Before King spoke, Collin introduced every child to Champ.

As part of a planned activity, the students had their pictures made with the visitors.

One of King's other daily duties include coordinating the food service, so he asked Aramark to deliver cookies and Icees to the classroom.

King and his son distributed them as the students asked questions about King's job.

Students also enjoyed taking time to ask questions about Champ and Tech XIX.

King said the students wanted to know how old Champ was. Champ answered visually with his paws. The students counted aloud since they are learning to count by tens.

"The children were so excited to be able to pet the real dog and shake hands with Champ," Roberson said. "When Dr. King walked in with the dogs, the children got excited. They are still amazed by Champ and enjoyed trying to figure out who was in the costume."

The "Friday Father" program has been a unique part of the A.E. Phillips first grade curriculum for many years.

Roberson said the fathers look forward to visiting the classroom as much as the students anticipate their coming.

King said the class has had many Tech visitors.

Head football coach Jack Bicknell and Ryan Moats spoke to the class earlier in the school year.

"I hope it was as fun and fulfilling for Collin as it was for me," King said.

The fathers who participate in the "Friday Fathers" program stay for about half an hour and entertain the class.

"I think it's great that a busy man like Dr. King can take time out of his day to visit his son's class," Dennis Burke, a senior clinical fitness and wellness major, said.