Third-grader Karen Wadena said Monday was the best day of school ever.

She celebrated Minnesota's first-ever Third Graders Day with her 25 classmates and everyone at Naytahwaush Community Charter School on the White Earth Reservation. That's because it was Karen who advocated for Third Graders Day, and got the governor's attention and support to proclaim March 3 a day just for third graders.

"Before there was a classroom party, [Karen] wanted to do something for the whole school too," said school director Beth Zietz. "So we brought all the kids down to the gym ... all of her schoolmates applauded her, which was really nice."

Zietz said there are 122 students at the charter school where Karen said her favorite subject is math and she wants to grow up to be a cat lady.

"I feel really good. My mom's proud of me," the 9-year-old said at the end of the busy school day.

Third Graders Day was filled with root beer floats, cookies, cupcakes and No. 3-shaped balloons, she said. Karen planned to cap off the day by watching her interviews on several TV news stations in Fargo and Minneapolis that reported on her advocacy.

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"I'm very happy right now because I'm waiting for me to be on the TV," Karen said.

It all started when Wadena noticed there was a National Fourth Graders Day, but not a day for third-graders. She thought it wasn't fair and decided to write to Gov. Tim Walz in a letter to the editor that appeared in the Minnesota Star Tribune in early February.

"I saw how the fourth grade was having fun on their day this year. Some people in other grades were saying it was unfair. Some people were saying it was fair because that is their day. That is what made me think, "Woah, can we have a National Third Graders Day?" Karen wrote with the help of staffer Desiree Reine.

Karen wrote in the letter that Reine helped her look up the history of the fourth-graders day and discovered two teachers in New Jersey created it.

"I figured I could work with my teachers and create National Third Graders Day. My teachers and I propose March 3 be named National Third Graders Day."

Walz did just that.

In his proclamation, he said third-grade students are known for "their natural optimism, curiosity, enthusiasm, and ability to embrace new experiences and challenges" and "are at a pivotal stage in their academic journey, demonstrating significant growth in reading, writing, math, and critical thinking skills."

"Many third grade students are driven by a strong sense of justice and morality and strive for fairness in the classroom and beyond," he wrote.

In honor and recognition of third-grade students, their achievements, and their impact on the state, Walz encouraged everyone to join in celebrating Third Graders Day.

Third-grade classrooms across the state held parties Monday, all thanks to Wadena.