Students at Creekside Elementary School on Thursday morning crossed their fingers and arms, held their breath and stayed as silent as they could.

They weren’t participating in some crazy physical challenge in gym class, though. The 29 QUEST gifted program students were in the library, hoping desperately to be able to talk to a former first lady.

“We all gotta believe,” one student said. “Everybody cross your fingers.”

But the videoconferencing system they thought would allow them to talk to Barbara Bush wasn’t working. Every time librarian Kim H. Richardson dialed, the line would disconnect as soon as it connected.

Bush was holding a videoconference from the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. The former first lady was set to read from “The Election Book: The People Pick a President” and then take questions from 20 schools in the United States and Canada — including Creekside Elementary School.

As Richardson continued trying to connect, 10-year-old Veronica Evans practiced the question she would ask — and the other students practiced their good behavior.

“Why is it important for students to know the process of electing a president?” she recited into the microphone as her classmates sat up straight behind her and smiled.

Finally, after 25 minutes and numerous desperate phone calls and emails, the connection worked when the presidential library tried connecting to the school, rather than the other way around.

Bush sat on a stage in an auditorium and received questions from students who were there in person, as well as the students videoconferencing from throughout the country.

Veronica got to ask her question, and the former First Lady responded that it is important for students to learn the process of electing a president so they can get involved and campaign for their chosen candidate.

“You need to get active young,” she said. “You can do things that will help.”

Students at other schools asked questions about how busy Bush has been since her husband left office, her advice for students who are having trouble reading and what she would change if she were elected president.

“I might change the strength of the American family,” Bush replied, though she admitted she wasn’t quite sure how to go about that. “I’m concerned about the lack of emphasis on how important the American family is.”

Richardson said she signed up for the opportunity after seeing it on a school videoconferencing newsletter.

“Anything about reading, I’m all over it,” she said. “You need that exposure for your students. I’m here to make my students successful.”

Veronica later reported that she was “flabbergasted” to be able to ask a question, which had been chosen in advance.

“I was happy and excited,” she said.

Parker Hansen, 10, was the designated backup speaker in case Veronica was unable to perform her duty.

“It was cool,” he said.