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When Michael Godbey dropped a letter and a Lincoln County Patriots mask in the mail to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, he had no idea what kind of publicity his school was about to receive.

Godbey is principal of Lincoln County High School, and on Oct. 20, he penned a letter to Gov. Beshear explaining that the school district is happy to join him in the fight against COVID-19.

“We are doing everything we can to follow CDC and Healthy-at-Work/School Guidelines to keep our students and staff safe,” the letter said.

Godbey said he looked up the address to the governor’s office and sent the mask, but he didn’t really think anything would come of it.

“I was very surprised to see the governor wearing our mask,” Godbey said. “I had seen him wearing other masks during the press conference that had been sent to him is how I got the idea.”

He said after mailing the mask and letter nearly a month ago, he had forgotten about it. That is, until Monday, Nov. 9. That was the day Beshear wore the mask, and Godbey found out when his mother-in-law saw it on TV and told him.

As the COVID battle continues, Godbey said the school district is taking measures to make sure safety is everyone’s focus.

“We are doing everything we can to get our students back in the building,” he said. “We require everyone to wear masks while in the building, we have our hallways divided and students social distanced when possible. Our custodians are taking extra cleaning precautions. It is our goal to get our students back in the building where we can better meet their needs. Our staff has done a phenomenal job meeting the needs of our students. They have embraced the distance learning model and are working hard. We all know nothing can totally of replace the effectiveness of in-person instruction.”