Thanking those who help keep us free
Scholarships awarded to the families of military personnel 

What started as the brainchild of two girls—Rachel and Kelsi Okun—who wanted to show the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces how much they are appreciated has evolved into a program that has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to the families of military personnel.

Created in 2005, the nonprofit, nonpartisan ThanksUSA has awarded more than 1,300 need-based, postsecondary scholarships from the contributions of federal, corporate, foundation and individual sponsors. Scholarship recipients represent each of the 50 states and the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard and Reserves.

"It just goes to show that when you put your mind to something, you can make anything happen," says Rachel.
ThanksUSA is an acronym for Treasure Hunt Aiding Needs of Kids and Spouses of those serving the United States of America. The centerpiece of the group's activities is indeed a "virtual" treasure hunt. The game can be played for free. The treasure hunt includes a clue book and interactive online game.

The Okun sisters—working with their parents, neighbors, family friends, and teacher and AFT member Carolyn Ferek—designed a 12-chapter book of clues for the national treasure hunt. Each chapter focused on a particular state, and contained trivia questions and puzzles to guide hunt participants toward answers. With more than 200 questions, the clue book takes participants on a historical and cultural journey across the United States.

The organization launched its third nationwide treasure hunt in November. The 2008 quest focuses on the histories of nine individual states, along with the histories of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, and home ownership.

The "virtual" treasure hunt celebrates America's history and its values, which our troops defend around the world each and every day, ThanksUSA CEO Bob Okun points out. "ThanksUSA is an educational double play: Students can learn more about American history in an exciting way online while helping the overall effort to provide the families of the troops with the gift of education."

More than 10,000 contestants are expected to register for the 2008 treasure hunt. Teachers and students can sign up as individuals or participate as a classroom.

The 2008 treasure hunt, scheduled to launch in late November, will run through Aug. 15, 2008. Prizes will be drawn throughout the contest. There are entry deadlines, as well as drawings, throughout this period. (Visit the Web site for a list of dates.) Prizes will be given to participants who successfully complete chapters. During the school year, $1,000 gift certificates will be awarded to youth groups and classrooms. And in the summer, iPods and computers will be awarded to individuals. A grand prize will be awarded to the individual who correctly answers all of the questions.

ThanksUSA hopes to award several hundred scholarships in 2008 to the spouses and children of military members serving on active duty.

Information on scholarship applications and sponsorship opportunities, as well as registration instructions for the American History Treasure Hunt, can be found at www.ThanksUSA.org.

Colorín Colorado
Event focuses on English language learners and their families

Hundreds of teachers, educational assistants, parents and children gathered at an Albuquerque, N.M, high school in September for the "Together We Can/Juntos Podemos" bilingual conference. This daylong literacy conference was sponsored by the AFT, the Albuquerque Teachers Federation and the Albuquerque Educational Assistants Association. The event focused on supporting preK-5 students who are learning English as a second language.

On hand to welcome participants and provide support throughout the day were ATF president Ellen Bernstein, AEAA president and AFT vice president Kathy Chavez, and AFT New Mexico president Christine Trujillo. The keynote speaker was Rudolfo Anaya, a widely acclaimed author of Chicano literature.

Also featured at the event was Colorín Colorado, a Web site for parents and educators to help primarily Latino English language learners build literacy skills. The site's name is based on a children's rhyme popular in Spanish-speaking countries.

The Colorín Colorado section for teachers and other educators is a joint project of public broadcasting station WETA's Reading Rockets program and the AFT.

This event is the second conference of its kind to be jointly sponsored by the AFT and an affiliate; last year a similar program was offered in Austin, Texas.

Participants attended professional development workshops taught by University of New Mexico professors, ATF members and AFT staff. The children had their own arts, crafts and storytelling program. Everyone received free Colorín Colorado and AFT materials, including children's books, DVDs and instructional videos. Participants also had a chance to win one of 20 books signed by Anaya.

Teachers and educational assistants benefited not only from the Colorín Colorado materials for native Spanish speakers but also from the multilingual tip sheets in 11 languages that will help serve Albuquerque's growing Vietnamese and Middle Eastern ELL student populations.

Educators everywhere can benefit from the tip sheets and other free materials offered online at www.Colorin
Colorado.org.