*Coe** **College** Playground of Science*

   Peterson Hall, Coe College, 1220 First AVE NE

 *Peterson Hall is on **College Road** (**13^th St.**) opposite the Clark Alumni House.*

October 22, 2009   6:00  -- 9:00 PM

FREE!  (but close parking fills up quickly)

 Kids! Bring your parents to the seventh annual "Coe Playground of Science" night at Coe College!  The Coe College Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Math Clubs will lead the fun in Peterson Hall October 22,

2009 from 6:00 -- 9:00 in the evening.  There will be interactive demos that teach kids of all ages about the natural world around them.

 In previous years, they have shattered grapes, levitated things, made dragon's breath,  played with numbers, flung pumpkins, played with strong magnets, made snow, learned about life, saw how chemistry allows us to create useful substances, made ice cream with liquid nitrogen which is over 300 degrees below zero, and saw molten glass pour from a crucible. Come have fun and learn about our natural world (all ages welcome).

Homeschool Roller Skating

 *Who:* Homeschool families and friends

 *What:* Roller skating -- large rink + mini rink

            Also visiting with other kids/parents

            Snack bar

            Pool table (games at 50 cents each)

            Popular tunes, both secular and Christian

            Skating games: Four Corners, Limbo

            Non-skating dance: Cha-Cha Slide

 *How much:* $5.00 for skaters -- free for non-skaters

 *Where:* Super Skate - 5100 Northland Ave NE

                Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-6206

                (319) 377-3767

 *When:* 1:00 -- 3:00 PM

                Friday, September 18, 2009

                Friday, October 16, 2009

                Friday, November 13, 2009

                Friday, December 11, 2009

                Friday, January 15, 2010

                Friday, February 19, 2010

                Friday, March 19, 2010

                Friday, April 16, 2010

                May -- August dates to be determined

 *Why:* Physical activity

            Socialization  ;)

 *Questions:* Contact Heidi Haney at Heidi.B.Haney@gmail.com

 *Who:* Homeschool families and friends

 *What:* Roller skating -- large rink + mini rink

            Also visiting with other kids/parents

            Snack bar

            Pool table (games at 50 cents each)

            Popular tunes, both secular and Christian

            Skating games: Four Corners, Limbo

            Non-skating dance: Cha-Cha Slide 

*How much:* $5.00 for skaters -- free for non-skaters

*Where:* Super Skate - 5100 Northland Ave NE

               Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-6206

                (319) 377-3767

*When:* 1:00 -- 3:00 PM

                Friday, September 18, 2009

                Friday, October 16, 2009

                Friday, November 13, 2009

                Friday, December 11, 2009

                Friday, January 15, 2010

                Friday, February 19, 2010

                Friday, March 19, 2010

                Friday, April 16, 2010

                May -- August dates to be determined

*Why:* Physical activity

            Socialization  ;)

*Questions:* Contact Heidi Haney at 366-1465 or Heidi.B.Haney@gmail.com

   Peterson Hall, Coe College, 1220 First AVE NE

 *Peterson Hall is on **College Road** (**13^th St.**) opposite the Clark Alumni House.*

October 22, 2009   6:00  -- 9:00 PM

FREE!  (but close parking fills up quickly)

 Kids! Bring your parents to the seventh annual "Coe Playground of Science" night at Coe College!  The Coe College Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Math Clubs will lead the fun in Peterson Hall October 22,

2009 from 6:00 -- 9:00 in the evening.  There will be interactive demos that teach kids of all ages about the natural world around them.

 In previous years, they have shattered grapes, levitated things, made dragon's breath,  played with numbers, flung pumpkins, played with strong magnets, made snow, learned about life, saw how chemistry allows us to create useful substances, made ice cream with liquid nitrogen which is over 300 degrees below zero, and saw molten glass pour from a crucible. Come have fun and learn about our natural world (all ages welcome).

Hi Everyone - Hope you are all working or finished with your CPI form.  Remember, this year all CPI forms all over the state have to be submitted to the local school district by August 26th  NOT before the first day of school in your district as previous. 

Forms can be downloaded in PDF format at www.the-niche.org or at HSLDA if you are a member.  If you want a form you can fill out on your computer, email me at     kidsrus @ louisacomm.net  (remove the spaces) and I will send you the forms.  I was unable to type into the PDF format, so I went to the trouble of retyping the forms for my own use, but I am willing to share,  

One thing I think is very important is support and fellowship with other homeschool families.  Please join a local homeschool group or start one if there isn't one around or that has a different philosophy than you.  Homeschool support groups can be as simple as just meeting once a month to more active groups that have co-op classes, contests, etc. etc.  NICHE will direct you to local groups in your area that you can check out and contact; you simply have to ask them for the information. 

Augustana's Fryxell Geology Museum –

820 38th Street

Rock Island, IL. 61201

Phone: 309-794-7318

http://www.augustana.edu/x11053.xml

Augustana's Fryxell Geology Museum is located inside the Swenson Hall of Geosciences on the campus of Augustana College. One of the largest and finest collections of rocks, minerals and fossils in the Midwest. The museum boasts over 2,000 rock, mineral and fossil specimens including a complete skeleton of the dinosaur Cryolophosaurus and a large fluorescent mineral exhibit. Open to the public, free-of-charge SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday, and weekend afternoons from 1 p.m.

to 4 p.m. JUNE - Open weekdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

CLOSED JULY THROUGH MID-AUGUST,

July 2009 NEWS from THREE SISTERS

What crazy weather we’re having! Most people are thinking of vacations, but if you're following threesisjulia on twitter, you'll see that Three Sisters has been thinking ahead to the new school year.

HLR Programs

We’ve added a track of programming for the younger set, grades 2 and under, to accompany our programming for older kids. We’ve also set a program on knights, with a real live armored knight, on Sept. 9. More details are on our website. Registration for particular programs will be available on our website, approximately one month before the program. For short term news, we’re using our blog for updates. Following or subscribing to the blog is an easy way to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Sept. 9 – Knights. A full-time professional knight will present a one hour program for all ages at 10 a.m. Held in partnership with the West Des Moines HSAP. $5/family. No cap!

Sept. 21 – Water Travels with Dewey. Learn about the water cycle with a half hour puppet show and a sequencing activity to aid in retention. Grades K – 2. No cost. Cap of 35 children.

Oct. 26 – Recycle Me! Kids learn about making good choices about items the use every day. Hands-on. Grades K – 2. No cost. Cap of 35 children.

Calendar

We’re looking forward to partnering with support groups to publicize their events. Our first submissions are listed below. Let’s hope for a great turnout. Event submissions are welcomed and approved through calendar@homelearningresources.com. Approved events may be included in our monthly newsletter. We keep a calendar in the sidebar of the blog as well as on the Calendar page on our website.

July 18 -- Jonathan Lewis, editor of _Home School Enrichment_ magazine. Cornerstone Church (US Hwy 30) speaks from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Schedule: The Socialization Deception, Break, Why I’m Glad to be a Homeschool Graduate, Q and A. Admission: $3. Questions: (515) 231-3088

August 26, 2009 -- 5th Annual Not Back to School Picnic, sponsored by IAUnschoolers Yahoo Group. Potluck Picnic. Raccoon River Park , 2500 Grand Ave. , West Des Moines . Shelter Coneflower A. Noon - 4 p.m. More info from brownsplus2 at yahoo dot com or graber at mchsi dot com.

Other daytime educational events during July include Jazz in July (www.MetroArts.org), nature programming (contact your county conservation board), and library summer reading events (check your local library).

Until next month, Julia

THREE SISTERS is a small Iowa company founded by three bargain-loving home school moms. It has produced homeschool sales and a conference. It remains open to producing other events, including HLR Programs. The founders revel in the fact that sisterhood does not rely on bloodlines.

Time: 10:15am-11 am

Day: Every Thursday May 21 through August

Cost: FREE!!

Ages: All ages are invited

Details: Enjoy stories and tails about reptiles and amphibians, interact with the animals in the shelter, and even more fun!!

Make sure to BRING A PILLOW TO SIT ON!!

Free will donation appreciated, but not required.

Reservations not required, but big groups are encouraged to contact us so that we are prepared. :)

Hope to see you all there!!

Robin & Jason--Iowa Reptile Rescue

www.iowareptilerescue.com

contact@iowareptilerescue.com

641-840-0170

    Date: Fri May 8, 2009 11:00 am ((PDT))

Eastern Iowa Home School Conference: Still time to register for early registration! Register early until 5/9/09. Twenty-five workshop sessions on a wide variety of topics! Lunch is included. Join us for a great time connecting with other home schoolers! Registration also taken at the door, but registering early helps us to plan.

 http://www.eihsconference.com

 Dr. Bette Klein

 May 15 – Catching Croakers, 8 p.m. Chichaqua Longhouse, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, northeast Polk County

May 15 – Family Friday Night, Fascinating Frogs, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines

May 18 – Registration begins for summer reading programs at many local libraries

May 19 – Nature Friends – Birds, 6:30 p.m. Jester Park, Granger

May 23 – Night Hike, 8 p.m. Prairie Flower Campground, Saylorville Reservoir

May 29 – Family Friday Night, Playful Pandas, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines

May 30 -- Mammals of Iowa, 1 pm., Yellow Banks Park, southeast Polk County

June 5, 6 – Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators Conference, Des Moines

June 9 – Nature Tales, 2 p.m. Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

June 12 – Family Friday Night, Feathered Friends, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines

June 13 – Night Hike, 8 p.m. Cherry Glen Campground, Saylorville Reservoir

June 17 – Nature Play Date, 10:30 a.m. Greenwood Park, Mary Miss Pond, Des Moines

June 17 – Nature’s Story Hour/Animal Habitats, picnic lunch at MacRae Park, upper shelter, Des Moines

Until next month,

Cathy Frueh                                 Julia McGuire
Managing Partner                      Founding Partner   

Have you looked over the TOS 2009 Freebies Directory?  There are over 40 "try before you buy" companies listed.  These freebies will be on line and available all through 2009, so you have lots of time to check them all out. http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/freebiedirectory/2009/index.html

Let me give you an example of just one of the companies featured. 

 The official 3rd Annual Not Back to School Days Rally™ at Disneyland (California) – September 14-17, 2009 - is bringing you the first-ever homeschool conference at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, and you won't want to miss it!

 We now have a conference packet available for download, you can view the latest updates on speakers and exhibitors, and you can register in one convenient place:

http://www.southwest-home-education.com/Conference2009/conf2009.htm

 Membership in the sponsoring organization is NOT required to attend this conference - it is a national conference open to all.  We have worked very hard to obtain the lowest group discounts, and the most unique speakers and exhibitors.  This is a homeschool conference unlike any other, plus a super great deal on the best family vacation!

 Deadlines are quickly approaching – check the conference packet for all the deadlines and get your room reserved today.  If you want to make payments, or you need to do fundraising, please contact me TODAY (this week).  We are running out of time to set these two things up. 

 You can make three equal payments, and this is set up manually, so contact me offlist with an email of everything you want included in your payments and I will invoice you.  Don't wait, the deadline was extended to the end of this week to get the first payment in.

 On fundraising, I need 100 families to commit to selling raffle tickets.  Again, please contact me offlist.  You will need about 2-3 months to sell your tickets and raise the points to go, so if you want this option, you need to sign up by April 17th.  We have to have 100 families who are wanting to do this fundraiser to make it work.

 Hope to see you at Disneyland in California this September!  I have left my email and phone number at the end of this post – so you know it's not spam – it's a real homeschool conference at Disneyland!

 Dianne McLean

fieldtrips@sw-home-edu.com

928-542-1387

Spread the word!

 Iowa Energy Basketball

Thursday, April 9

WellsFargo Arena, Des Moines

Tickets are $8

 The Iowa Energy Basketball team is a NBA Development League team, minor league affiliate of the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. Iowa Energy is planning a Faith and Family Night on Thursday, April 9th and has invited homeschool families to take part. This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy top notch basketball and child friendly entertainment. The highlight of the night will be a Preachers & Sneakers game during half time.

Contact:

Jenna Croft, Account Executive

 (515) 462-2849

------------

PEN IN HAND-MINI-CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 21, 2009

 Location

Midwest Writing Center

Bucktown Center (3rd floor)

225 E. 2nd St.

Davenport, Iowa  52801

563-324-1410  

Schedule

Doors open at 8 a.m. Light refreshments provided.

8:30 – 10:15 a.m.                    "The Road to Non-Fiction"

                                                   with Dr. Roald Tweet

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.                  BREAK

10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.          "How to Break into Print (and Get Paid, Too!)" A Panel of Authors

                                                  Mike McCarty, Mark McLaughlin, and Leslie Langtry  

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.                    LUNCH (on your own)

1:15 – 3:00 p.m.                      "Writing Through Parenthood"

                                                with Leslie Klipsch

1:15 – 3:00                                 "The Playful Pen" for writers between the ages of 8 and 13

                                                  with Sarah Gardner    

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.                      BREAK

3:15 – 5:00 p.m.                     "Blah, blah, blah, Blog, blog, blog"

                                                 with Sean Leary

 Descriptions

 "The Road to Non-Fiction"

 Discover how to craft creative non-fiction in a responsible way.

You'll explore the research process of turning an idea into a published work.

 "How to Break into Print (and Get Paid, Too!)"

 All aspiring writers look forward to the day when they can see their work in print.

Some wonder if self-publishing is their best--or only--option.  During this informative

discussion panel, attendees will learn how professionally published authors broke into print.

They will learn the pros and cons of self-publishing, and discover how to present proposals

and projects to editors who pay writers for their work.

 "Writing Through Parenthood"

If you have children or grandchildren, nieces, nephews or neighbors, then you have stories to tell.

Children are a master muse and this workshop will help you put pen to paper, encouraging

participants to capture in words the images, stories, pleasures and challenges of parenting with

written results that are perhaps more precise, focused, and telling than a photograph.

"The Playful Pen"

 Using our imaginations, we'll explore secret rooms, super powers, and take turns on the

authors chair.  Fun for kids who don't like writing as well as those who do.

"Blah, blah, blah, Blog, blog, blog"

What is a blog? How can it help you as a writer? How can it help your writing career?

Sean Leary, an experienced and prolific blogger, as well as the author of almost 20 books,

will detail how to set up your own blog and how to use it for creative inspiration, marketing your work and more. To see Mr. Leary's blogs,

go to www.seanleary.com and click on his blog links.

Cost

Early bird registration (until March 15): $20 per workshop; $60 for all four workshops After March 14: $25 per workshop; $75 for all four workshops

Extra goodies

With your registration, you'll receive light refreshments, free parking and a great learning experience.

To register

Call 563-324-1410 or email mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org

Click here for registration form.

Conference is sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Dr. Roald Tweet  is Professor Emeritus of English at Augustana College in Rock Island,

where he served as the Conrad Bergendoff Professor in the Humanities, and he has written

and lectured extensively about the Upper Mississippi and its past. His publications include

A History of the Rock Island District Corps of Engineers, 1866-1893 and The Quad Cities: An

American Mosaic. His first published work on the river went to print in 1975 and resulted from

research conducted while camping along the Mississippi with his family. The project, supported

by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, led to the commission from the

Corps of Engineers to document the history of its Rock Island District. Says Mayor Mark Schweibert

of Mr. Tweet, "from the visual and performing arts to Mississippi River historian, his long and

distinguished service has enriched our entire area." 

Mike McCarty is a former stand-up comedian, coffeehouse musician, and managing

editor for a music magazine. His work has appeared in Midnight Premiere, Science Fiction Chronicle,

Starlog, Gallery, The Brutarian, Scifiweekly.com, the latest edition of

the HWA's on Writing Horror, Horror Garage, Writer's Block, Dark Testament,

The Zone (U.K.), Dead of Night, Horror, Hellnotes Delirium Magazine,

Excitable Boys and other magazines, anthologies, newspapers and websites.

 Mark McLaughlin

Mark McLaughlin's fiction, nonfiction and poetry have appeared in hundreds of magazines, anthologies, newspapers and websites. His books of short stories include Hell Is Where The Heart Is, Motivational Shrieker, Slime After Slime, Pickman's Motel, and a three-way collection with Shane Ryan Staley and Brian Knight entitled At The Foothills Of Frenzy. He is the Poet Laureate of the Davenport, IA newspaper, The Leader, and his poetry collections include The Spiderweb Tree, Professor LaGungo's Exotic Artifacts & Assorted Mystic Collectibles, and Men Are From Hell, Women Are From The Galaxy Of Death. He is the co-author, with Rain Graves and David Niall Wilson, of the poetry collection The Gossamer Eye, which won a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Poetry. In 2007, Sarob Press in England will release Monster Behind The Wheel, a horror/adventure novel written by Mark with collaborator Michael McCarty. Visit Mark and Michael online at http://www.myspace.com/monsterbook

Leslie Langtry

Leslie Langtry is the author of a trio of thriller/romance novels, 'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy,

Guns Will Keep Us Together, and Stand By Your Hitman, all published by Dorchester Publishing.

Langtry's books follow the lives of a family of assassins, The Bombays. Leslie Langtry is, in fact, a

mom and a Girl Scout leader, and has never assassinated anyone, either professionally or for recreation.

Okay, she knits, but she almost never garrotes anyone with the circular needles. Instead, she lives with

her husband, Tom, and two children, Margaret and Jack, in the Quad Cities - with no immediate plans to

train either child as an assassin. She wants to make that perfectly clear.

Leslie Klipsch

Leslie Klipsch contributes a bi-weekly parenting column to Pregnancy.org and has written on the subject

in Chicago Parent Magazine, Chicago Baby Magazine, Literary Mama, and ePregnancy Magazine. Her

essays, articles, and poems appear regularly in local, regional, and national publications including the Chicago

Tribune, Radish, Radiant, and Quad Cities Magazine, where she is the associate editor.

Sarah Gardner

Author of "How To Study Birds," a chapbook collection in its second run from Dancing Girl Press, Sarah Gardner is a poet and teacher whose workhas appeared in many distinguished journals. She has received fellowships for her writing from Blue Mountain Center as well as the Vermont StudioCenter. Her recognitions include an International Merit Award from The Atlanta Review and second place honors from the Juniper Creek poetry contest. She has been proudly affiliated with Houston's Writers in the Schools, a program the brings creative writing instruction to at-risk youth. Currently she lives in Iowa and teaches for St. Ambrose University. Sarah holds an MFA from Syracuse. Her work has appeared in many national journals including The North American Review, The Cortland Review, Calyx, and Cranky.

Her honors include an International Merit Award from The Atlanta Review. The Calculus of Owls, her second collection of poems, is due out from Dancing Girl Press in August 2009. Currently she lives in Iowa and teaches for St. Ambrose University. www.sarahjgardner.net

Sean Leary

Sean Leary began his professional arts career at age 10, writing articles and drawing cartoons for the national newspaper

The Comics Buyers Guide. Throughout his teens, twenties and thirties he continued to write and illustrate for various newspapers

and magazines, and played in ahandful of punk and new wave bands, collaborating with such future luminaries as Erik Larsen

(``Savage Dragon'') and Jimmy Chamberlain (Smashing Pumpkins). Sean is the publisher of The Dingo, a humor anthology

featuring stand-up comics and humor writers from across North America. Sean has been published and been involved in the

publishing of 18 books, including eight solo works: Sean Leary's Greatest Hits Volumes One and Two (collections of pop

culture columns), Exorcising Ghosts (graphic novel), Your Favorite Band and Dingo Boogaloo (screenplays), Every Number

Is Lucky To Someone (collection of short stories), The Girl Of Dreams And Magick (collection of poetry) and My Life As

A Freak Magnet (humorous memoir). He is currently working on three books -- Sean Leary's Greatest Hits, volume three

(a collection of pop culture columns); Animal Magnetism (a sci-fi novel); and Toiley, The Hungry Toilet  (children's book) --

and two screenplays, Time Changes and Notorious Jerks. For more information about him and his various works, see www.seanleary.com.

http://home.comcast.net/~tgeorges/write/index.html

I haven't checked these out, but my friend, Valerie, from RC4JC yahoo group speaks very highly of them.  Thanks, Valerie.    

Nancy

Homeschool Freebies
Jamin, Freebie Finder      Here are some great freebies for you high schooler!

 Homeschooling Teen is a brand new E-Zine for homeschooled high schoolers! It is published once a month and each issue is filled with fun, fellowship, humor, and human interest stories. This is a great opportunity for your homeschooler to submit his or her writing to be read by other homeschoolers. Whether you want to write, or just read, this newsletter is free! You can learn all about it    http://homeschoolingteen.wordpress.com/

 Math Matters: Off Road Algebra employees 21st century learning tools and methodologies to help make math relevant and fun! This 30-segment video resource focuses on ninth grade pre-algebra and algebra revolving around the world of off-road motorcycle racing. Team HotChalk worked with a group of young HotChalk-sponsored cyclists, videotaping them jumping off ramps along dirt bike tracks and racing up the golden summer hills of a ranch overlooking the ocean in central California. Math teachers scripted out the 'real world' algebra problems and the step-by-step solutions are explained in each segment. What a fun way to learn algebra! You can learn all about it

http://www.hotchalk.com/mydesk/index.php/math-matters/387-math-matters-offroad-algebra

 Christiancourses.com offers online classes for teens and adults on various Bible topics. Classes are offered on the Old and New Testament, Bible Basics, Know What You Believe and much more!   http://christiancourses.com/

http://rbc.christiancourses.com/course/index.php for complete course listings. 

 Happy Homeschooling,

 Jamin

Welcome to Freebie Fridays

This week I have some great resources to help you save time, get organized and make your homeschool more fun!

Time Saving Kitchen Tips is a free E-Book that will help you discover how to cut time in the kitchen.  This E-Book includes information on how to organize menus and the kitchen, food purchasing and money saving tips, and even how to do fewer dishes! You will eat better and cook less!

How To Homeschool is a free E-Book that is written by a veteran homeschool mom  who shares all her favorite homeschool resources.   You will find great tips and resources in this free E-Book.

Homeschooling ABC's is offering a free E-Book called Get Together - Networking with Other Homeschoolers. Learn about the importance of connecting with other homeschool families and how to connect with them.  This E-Book covers both finding a real life support system and an online one.

Calling All Leaf Collectors - In many locations in the United States and Canada, the fall foliage is starting to peek through the green of summer. We're doing something fun at TOS! We're inviting everyone to send us a photo of their leaf collection. It's very simple! Just take a photo of your leaf collection, then go to this page, read the disclaimer, click the "Submit" button, and provide the requested information and photo. We'll then display your leaf collection online. The deadline for submission is November 7th, 2008. Join in the fun and share your fall colors with homeschoolers from around the world!

Happy Homeschooling,

Jamin

American Legion National Oratorical Contest

 2008-2009 is the 72nd year of the American Legion National High School Oratorical Competition. This competition is designed for all contestants to discover a deeper understanding of the US Constitution.

 The competition is a prepared oration on these 4 topics from the US Constitution:

 Amendment 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 Amendment 3

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

 Amendment 4

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 Art 3, Sec 3

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

 The 6-8 minute oration is delivered without written notes before the Legion's selected judges. The first level begins in December 2008 and then moves into local and regional competitions. The national finals are in Indianapolis in the early spring of 2009. State winners earn $1,000 scholarships. National winners receive $18,000.

 To learn more go to

http://legion.org/programs/youthprograms/oratorical