04/07/2017
History Day Friends,
I have been in the education profession 30 years, the last 16 as state coordinator of the Arkansas program. I started using National History Day with my students when I was a ninth grade teacher. I believed then, and I still believe, it is the single most effect way to teach young people critical thinking skills, research and communication skills, and personal responsibility. I have seen NHD transform classrooms of students from lackluster, reluctant kids to energetic, self-determined learners. thanks to the generosity of one wealthy family, NHD was able to increase its staff, give generous awards to outstanding teachers, and provide learning opportunities to many young people. the Behrings have withdrawn that support, and we do not have a replacement for those funds. That means NHD will have to cut back programs and staff if those who have benefited from their efforts do not step up to the plate now to make up some of the difference.
Arkansas students are very fortunate to have state support that allows our students to participate at very little cost to them or their parents. Even most, or all of their travel expense to the national contest are paid. I am asking you to consider making even a small donation to NHD right now.
We have about 8,000 Arkansas students engaged in History Day this year at the classroom level. If we sent one dollar for each of those students to NHD we would be doing our part to support this critically important program. How much is History Day worth to you and your children? Please donate something as soon as you can. It will make a difference!
While the program is as strong as ever, we find ourselves facing a financial challenge. One of our major donors has decided to go in a different direction from National History Day and put his support elsewhere. Unfortunately, this news came to us quite recently, with only a few months left in our f...
