U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) was at Normal West Community High School Monday afternoon. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) was back in his home town Monday to speak with students at Normal West Community High School.

Kinzinger was part of the first graduating class of Normal West. His main message to students: what you do in high school matters.

"Not just in school, that matters, but the relationships you make; be good to each other," said Kinzinger. "It amazes me how 20 years later people remember the interactions I have with them in high school, some good and some bad.

"So while everybody can't be perfect with their interactions with their friends, remember that the mean things you say hurt, and they last, and the good things you say last too."

Kinzinger was also able to receive his Normal West Wall of Fame plaque. He called being inducted as part of the school's first Wall of Fame class in 2013 is a great honor.

"I wasn't the best student, but to be able to come back and receive this is a huge honor," said Kinzinger. "It's great seeing what Normal West has been able to do since I've been gone."

Kinzinger no longer represents the Twin Cities area after being redistricted in 2013, but he said he'll always be a congressman from Bloomington-Normal. He added there's still work he can do to help support the area.

"I think infrastructure development, creating an environment for the strong economy of McLean County to continue to thrive and then come back and visit a lot," Kinzinger said.

Normal West also presented Kinzinger with a lifetime pass to all future school activities.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].