Wheaton students 'meet' George Washington

In a year filled with political mudslinging, students at Whittier Elementary School got back to the roots of public office.

Or, at least, they got a chance to get into the mind of the country's first president.

George Washington recently stopped by the Wheaton school, and during his visit he picked up some nuggets of advice from France's King Charlemagne, Confucius and Cleopatra, too.

"The George Washington Follies" is a child-centered show performance by Face to Face Productions of Chicago.

It's based in 1789, just as Washington is set to assume the role of the nation's first president. Seriously doubting his ability to lead, Washington questions what characteristics are essential, explained Gina Moticik, of the school's PTA, which paid for the performance.

As George drifts off to sleep, he's visited by some famed leaders of the past who offer their wisdom, both from successes and failures.

"We thought this would be a good one with the presidential year, Moticik said.