DES MOINES, Wash. -- Spirits are soaring at Des Moines' Aviation High School over a special invitation this weekend.
While President Barack Obama makes two campaign stops in Seattle Sunday, he has invited students from Aviation to attend a fundraiser at the Paramount Theater.
The president says he wants to highlight the school's success, but Republican critics are calling the invite a ploy.
Aviation High School is a national model for STEM schools that focus on science, technology, engineering and math. Curriculum specializes in preparing students for careers including astronauts, engineers and astro physicists.
"It's simply a political ploy," says Peter Graves, representing Washington State Republicans. "It's nothing more than touting policies that he can't claim credit for."
"In a way, we're also using the president as a prop," says one student. "He's going to talk to a whole room of donors...about our school."
The school was founded long before Obama took office, but, so far, he hasnt taken credit for it.
Tickets for the fundraiser start at $1,000.
Aviation High School is part of the Highline School District.
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