Message from Jeff Hawks

March 3, 2011

"We as leaders must create an environment and workplace culture that inspires employees to reach their potential. They must feel valued, engaged, empowered, and recognized. We earn the right to be heard through our example." –Fred J. Whyte

STATE MUSEUM

The 1st place entries from the 2010 state contest will be on display at the Pennsylvania State Museum beginning on March 13, 2011. Please come and join us for the opening if you are able. See bottom of this page for the announcement.

RADIO SMART TALK

On Friday, March 11, 2011, at 9:00 AM National History Day in Pennsylvania will be on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk program. Several winning students from 2010 will be there, along with Amy Cohen, a teacher from Masterman High School in Philadelphia. They will be joined by Wendy Toole, Regional Coordinator from region 9 (Lancaster, York, Berks, and Adams counties) and yours truly. You can listen in on 89.5 FM in the Harrisburg area, on 93.3 in the Chambersburg area, or online by going to witf.org and clicking on the “listen” link on the top of the screen just right of center.

REGIONAL CONTESTS

Good luck to the students in regions 6, 8, 9, and 10 who are having their regional contests on Saturday! And thanks to the Regional Coordinators, judges, and volunteers who make it happen.

Next week Philadelphia will have their regional contest on March 9 and 10, followed by Pittsburgh on March 12 and 13. Thanks and good luck to all concerned there as well.

STATE CONTEST

The state contest is scheduled for May 11 and 12 at Millersville University. There is still time to register to judge, and a registration form has also been attached. Feel free to fill out your form electronically and return it via email, mail, or fax.

The judge’s orientation will take place in the Lehr dining room in the Gordinier Conference Center at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 11. On Wednesday judges will have a choice between a boxed dinner delivered to your judging location or returning to Gordinier for a hot meal in the cafeteria.

For the most part we have reserved the same rooms for judging, the main exception being the exhibit hall, which will be in the newly renovated gym in the Student Memorial Center just behind Gordinier. If you judged last year and had any problems with inadequate space please let me know, as there is still time to adjust the rooms.

I look forward to seeing you all at the contest this year. Thanks again for making National History Day in Pennsylvania possible.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey G. Hawks