Treasure Hunt Five

Welcome back to the Treasure Hunt Five blog. Each week, this blog will focus on one TH5 question to help you succeed in unlocking the historical treasures of the hunt. Every time you unlock a chapter’s treasure, you become eligible to win a prize for that chapter. If you successfully complete the entire Treasure Hunt, you can be a big winner like Meredith Vance, Grand Prize winner of TH4. Meredith won her own treasure chest, complete with jewelry and gems, valued at $10,000!

The Vance Family

“I am so excited! I still can’t believe that I am a winner, I feel incredibly lucky. I love any kind of puzzles or online games, and so I’ve really enjoyed playing the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunts. The puzzles are always interesting and challenging, plus learning the history along the way is a nice bonus! I just want to say heartfelt thanks – for putting on such an enjoyable treasure hunt, and of course for all you do for students and military families. I do have friends and family who are in the military or are veterans, so it is wonderful to know ThanksUSA is there to help and give back to those serving our country. Thanks Again!” – Meredith Vance

Congratulations again, Meredith! Now, let’s look at another TH5 question that could lead you to a real treasure:

Chapter 1, Missouri

B3. Four years after the event ofA1, this town helped give birth to the Wild West when it was the site of a “quick draw” duel between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt Jr. at “high noon” on July 21. Where are we now?

I always like to start with specific dates, so I immediately notice July 21. In addition to the month and day, we can also determine the year by using the first portion of the clue. Referring back to A1, we see the year 1861. By adding four years, we get 1865.

The second part of the clue refers to the actual event that occurred on July 21, 1865: a duel between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt Jr. By combining the names of those involved with the date, our search may look like this:

July, 21, 1865 + Wild Bill Hickok + Davis Tutt, Jr.

This combination of keywords should lead you right to your location. If this doesn’t narrow your search enough, try adding the word “Missouri” to your search. I hope that after you find your answer you take some time to learn about America’s Wild West era! Remember, I am available to answer any of your TH5 questions. You can always leave a comment on the blog, or send me a direct email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org - Good Luck!

Scholarship News

Happy Holidays! No matter which holiday your family celebrates this season, the entire ThanksUSA team wishes you a happy home and peaceful heart. During this season of giving, ThanksUSA is proud to announce that we will be awarding more than a hundred additional scholarships this week! Your donations truly make a difference, so as you celebrate the season of giving, please keep ThanksUSA scholars in mind.

Not only can you make a tax-deductible donation to the scholarship fund, but you can also support ThanksUSA by sharing our website with your friends and family. Additionally, Chase Community Giving is awarding $5 million to charities and you can still help ThanksUSA be one of the recipients. Visit the Chase Community Giving page, type thanks usa (space included) into the charity search and place your vote. Voting ends December 11th, so please vote today. Thank you for your continued support and please check back frequently to meet ThanksUSA scholarship recipients.

Treasure Hunt Five

Treasure Hunt Five is here! Thanks to the continued sponsorship of the ESA Foundation, you can once again take on the challenge of the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt. TH5 features questions on five states, Earth’s resources, and the United States Army. We hope not only to challenge you, but also to educate and entertain you. Visit this blog every week to get hints and tips for discovering the treasures of TH5! To get you started, let’s take a look at the very first question of the first chapter:

Missouri

A1. We begin our trip where, in 1861, a copy of President Lincoln’s inaugural address took seven days and 17 hours to travel by Pony Express from this city to Sacramento, California. This was the fastest mail delivery made in the United States at that time. Where are we?

To find our answer, we must first select some key words from the question. This is a very detailed question which contains lots of clues and key words. You may not need all of them, but I’ll point out many to make sure you understand how to find an answer.

First, remember that we’re looking for a geographical location in Missouri, abbreviated MO. Dates are great clues, so note 1861. Next, the clue mentions a copy of Lincoln’s inaugural address. We’re also told that the copy travelled to Sacramento, California, by Pony Express.

Now that we’ve identified key words, you can type them into your search engine using a plus sign to separate them:

MO + 1861 + Lincoln’s inaugural address + Sacramento, California + Pony Express

Are all these keywords necessary? No…you will probably find your answer simply by reading up on the Pony Express. However, if you’re new to the internet or unfamiliar with search engines, more key words can certainly help.

This “walk-through” may seem obvious and over-simplified to some, but please keep in mind that we have some very eager youngsters tackling TH5. I promise you that there are some very challenging questions in TH5 and I’m here to help you through them all! If you ever find yourself “stuck,” leave a comment on any Treasure Hunt Five blog and I’ll address your particular question in a future blog.  If you prefer, you can even send me a direct email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org and I’ll try to answer you within 2 days.

To give you some extra encouragement, I’d like to introduce another TH4 laptop computer winner, Lisa Woods. Lisa was randomly selected from those who submitted correct answers for chapter 10 (Maryland) of TH4.

Lisa Woods and family

Lisa says, “I loved doing the treasure hunt. I searched and searched and had to redo some of my answers but felt really good when I finished and even better when I found out I won a laptop. Some of the puzzles are tough. I can’t wait for the next challenge!” Congratulations Lisa and good luck with TH5.

Be sure to take a break from the hunt at least once a week to check out this Treasure Hunt Five blog. You’ll meet more TH4 winners and get some great pointers for TH5. Have fun and the best of luck to all!

Scholarship News

Chase Community Giving is awarding $5 million to charities and you can help ThanksUSA be one of the recipients!  Click here to visit the Chase Community Giving page.  Once there, type thanks usa (space included) into the charity search to place your vote.  After you’ve voted, please pass along the website and encourage your friends to vote for ThanksUSA.  Voting ends December 11 so please vote today!

2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will honor 15 organizations across the nation with the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  This award honors those that go above and beyond the law to support their Guard and Reserve employees. 

Now through January 18, 2010, National Guard and Reserve members and their families are encouraged to nominate their supportive employer for this prestigious award at FreedomAward.mil.  Any employer supportive of its National Guard and Reserve employees or their families is eligible for Freedom Award nomination.  Past recipients of the award have ranged from a small family owned farm in Iowa to large corporations, including Chrysler and Microsoft, to public sector employers including the City of Austin, Texas.  Please help ESGR recognize those who deserve this highest honor by submitting a nomination today.

Scholarship News

Stop and read the bulletin boards! This very wise advice comes from stellar ThanksUSA scholarship recipient, Bailey Smith. This Mississippi State University student has been recognized as a President’s Scholar, is a member of the MSU Pre-law society, and is currently the top ranked junior in the Political Science department. Bailey has received multiple ThanksUSA scholarships, including a $3000 Boeing Company/ThanksUSA Scholarship for the 2009/2010 academic year. She extends her gratitude to all who have made her ThanksUSA scholarships possible.

Bailey Smith

Recently, Bailey has declared a double major in Communications and Political Science. To supplement her academics, Bailey participates as a delegate in the Mississippi Model Security Council.  The council simulates U.N. resolutions dealing in world security issues and facilitates simulations for high school students each spring semester. Not only is Bailey eager to pursue an international career utilizing her political science and communications skills, but she also looks forward to serving her country.

Her long-term academic goals include graduating at the top of her class in both majors and then continuing on to law school. Once in law school, Bailey plans to join the AFROTC program and hopes to be admitted into the Air Force JAG program. “I am pursuing this path because I think it provides for optimum stability and opportunity. I believe I work most efficiently in this environment and can serve my fellow-man most effectively through these pursuits.”

As academically motivated as Bailey is, she hopes fellow students will take some time to experience life outside of the classroom. “While in college, we need to embrace the variety in culture and immerse ourselves in new experiences while the opportunities are abundant. We should take nothing for granted and seize every moment while we can.” Bailey is a trumpet player in the Famous Maroon Band as well as the community concert band and is the president of the club sport “S.C.U.B.A. Dawgs” which is a student group that trains and certifies members as SCUBA divers.
I was so intrigued by Bailey’s SCUBA diving, that I had to learn more…which is how I learned of her great advice – read the bulletin boards:

“I adopted a policy when I first transferred to Mississippi State University. I imposed this policy on myself in an effort to broaden my horizons as much as possible. The policy is that I must stop and read the bulletin boards on campus every time I pass one. If I am able to attend an event or lecture– I tell myself to go and meet new people and learn new things. When I read that there was a sample SCUBA diving class offered at the university gym for $5, I went. I loved the thrill of it, the science that went into it, and the people who participated in it. After my first jump from a boat into the depths of the ocean, I was hooked. I had been immersed into a different world– one most will never see. Something about that fact keeps me going back every chance I get and taking all the people I can with me. I would like everyone to “experience the unknown” so-to-speak. I believe it makes you appreciate the world and the beautiful mysteries of it that much more. Also, I believe being a the president of the SCUBA diving club gives me the opportunity to befriend many new people and show them just a small portion of the wealth of opportunity that the university has to offer.”

Isn’t that a wonderful policy? May you all pause to read the bulletin boards and find a new passion in your own life!

Treasure Hunt Five

Thanksgiving Day…a celebration of family and friends, food and football, and the premier of ThanksUSA’s Treasure Hunt Five!!  Yes, the fifth installment of our online American History Treasure Hunt will be available at 12:00 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, November 26th.  Before you begin playing, please verify that the contact information in your profile is accurate…we must be able to reach you if you win a prize!

Speaking of prizes, meet Grace Yrizarry, the chapter 9 winner of Treasure Hunt Four:

Grace Yrizarry with her daughter

Grace says, “I have always enjoyed various puzzles and contests and with the advent of online versions, this interest has provided a new level of challenges. However, the Treasure Hunt from ThanksUSA has been the most rewarding for several reasons: the opportunities for educating oneself and others about our great nation, the chance to spend quality family time in completing the puzzles together, and the true generosity that is shared with those in need. I have participated in the Hunt for 2 years and never imagined that I would be a prize recipient, but I am very blessed and look forward to TH5!” 

Congratulations, Grace!  As a TH4 winner, you will be able to play TH5 on your new laptop computer!  During TH5, I will be posting a weekly Treasure Hunt Five blog.  You’ll be able to learn about other TH4 winners and get some hints for playing TH5.  I encourage everyone to leave comments and questions on the blog.  If there is a specific question that seems to stump the majority of participants, we’ll tackle it here.  Good luck and have fun!

Las Vegas Veterans Day Celebration

Although ThanksUSA celebrates our Veterans and their families every day of the year, we are grateful that our nation reserves a special day to honor heroes, Veteran’s Day. Last week, we had the opportunity to be a part of a spectacular expression of admiration towards our beloved troops while raising money for the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program.

This special Tribute to the Troops weekend began with a “yellow ribbon” charter flight for Wounded Warriors and their spouses, courtesy of American Airlines. Honored guests were treated to a three night stay at The Venetian Hotel, where they enjoyed a special Blue Man Group performance on November 12th. Ticket sales from this special performance were generously donated to the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program!

For the remainder of the weekend, Veterans attended educational seminars and were treated to a show by Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, at the Tropicana Hotel. They toured the Las Vegas strip by helicopter, visited the Hoover Dam, were guests of the Terry Fater Show, and traveled to Red Rock Canyon to see a jump by retired First Class Sergeant Dana Bowman. Dana was a Special Forces Soldier and member of the U.S. Army’s elite parachute team when a parachuting accident took both his legs.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all who made the Tribute to the Troops weekend possible:

Bank of America

Operation Heroes

American Airlines

The Sands Foundation

The Venetian Hotel

The Blue Man Group

USO

Wayne Newton

Terry Fater

Dana Bowman

Senator John Ensign, R-Nev

Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev

Admiral Barry Black, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate

Rachel & Kelsi Okun, Founders of ThanksUSA

To see more media about this spectacular event, please visit our Facebook page!

Thank You from ThanksUSA!

The ThanksUSA team would like to thank all of our sponsors, friends, and volunteers who made our Nashville benefit concert a success!  You can watch a webcast of the concert here.

First, special appreciation to our ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients, Tina Marie Morgan and Michelle Spradlin.  Thank you for representing ThankUSA, we were proud to showcase your hard work and accomplishments!

Recognition is in order for our military guests:  General and Mrs. Catton, J.B. Hudson, Albert Renteria of USVets.tv, COL Clay Hutmacher & Fort Campbell soldiers, Maj Gen Russ Cotney, LT Gen (R) Garry Trexler, and Walter Reed AMC Wounded Warriors.  Thank you, Tom Coble of Veteran’s Airlift Command, for transporting our Wounded Warriors in safety and comfort.     

Members of Congress who showed their support of ThanksUSA and our military personnel were Marsha Blackburn, Zach Wamp, and Robert Aderholt.  Many volunteers and sponsors kept things running smoothly including host Jim Luaderdale, David Allen, Van Tucker, Joe Lessen, Chris Eberbach of USA Payment Services,  Pete McPherson, and the Walsh family.  We are also grateful for the musical talents of Jim Lauderdale, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, The Steeldrivers, Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes, and surprise guest, Ricky Skaggs!

Again, thank you all – we hope you had an enjoyable evening!

Presenting Sponsor

USA Payment Services

Reception Sponsors

Mickey Roos
RIAA
Tennessee Wine and Spirits
Universal Music Group

Concert Sponsors

AT&T
BMI
EOD Technology Inc.
Henderson Electric
Warner Music Group

Travel Sponsors

American Airlines – Official Airline Sponsor
Loews Hotels
Veterans Airlift Command

Media, Advertising, and PR Sponsors

Blue Star Families
LM&O Advertising
Powell Tate
The Tennessean
TV Worldwide

Special Acknowledgement to the following sponsors

Boeing
KPMG LLP
M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
Page One LLC

Scholarship News

ThanksUSA invites you to join us in celebration of Veterans Day with two very special events: a benefit concert in Nashville, and the Blue Man Group performance in Las Vegas. First, this Monday, November 9th, Jim Lauderdale and friends will present a ThanksUSA benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. We are honored to have some very special guests attending the concert, including ThanksUSA scholarship recipient, Tina Marie Morgan.

Tina Marie Morgan

 

Tina Marie was the recipient of a $3000 ThanksUSA scholarship for the 2008/2009 academic year. Only six months from earning her Bachelors of Science in Radiologic Technology from Austin Peay State University, Tina Marie is currently busy honing her skills at clinical studies three times a week.  Representing ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients, Tina Marie will be able to share her experiences and challenges with other concert guests and local media.   

 

“I cannot fully express my gratitude to ThanksUSA! I had been struggling trying to figure out how to pay for tuition and daycare for my three boys. Your gift is absolutely tremendous. I’ve been trying to go to school for six years. I am finally here and thanks to ThanksUSA, I will earn my BS in Radiography.”

Tina Marie’s husband, SFC Dennis Morgan, has served in the U.S. Army for 16 years and is currently on an overseas mission. As the mother of three very active children, Tina Marie looks forward to the safe return of her husband and the completion of her academic goals.

Tina Marie with her children

ThanksUSA applauds Tina Marie’s strength and dedication not only to her family, but to her own academic success. This Veterans Day, please honor and remember all those who have served our great nation and the families that love and support them. For links to both the Nashville concert and Blue Man Group performance, please visit the ThanksUSA homepage.

ThanksUSA Events

There are so many ways that you can help ThanksUSA provide scholarships to military family members.  As we approach Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, please keep this in mind.  We have many easy and fun ways that you can help ThanksUSA make  difference! 

If you are a federal employee, you can easily pledge a donation to ThanksUSA through the Combined Federal Campaign.  The five digit CFC code for ThanksUSA is 99441.  You can also make a donation at the ThanksUSA website at any time:  DONATE NOW

There is still time to place bids for the Fight Night 2009 Online Auction.  Sports, travel, jewelry, entertainment and more are up for bid.  Online bidding closes on November 2nd, so place your bid now!

On Monday, November 9, Jim Lauderdale and friends will honor military families with a ThanksUSA benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.  Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

The Blue Man group will celebrate Veterans Day with a special show on November 12 at The Venetian in Las Vegas.  Proceeds from the event will benefit ThanksUSA.  To purchase tickets, visit BlueMan.com or call 1-800-BLUEMAN and use code: ThanksUSA.

ThanksUSA extends our thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters.  If you have the opportunity to attend any of our events, we’d love to hear from you!  You can post comments to our blogs or send me an email (sherrykoch@ThanksUSA.org).  Thank you for your continued support – you have helped ThanksUSA provide over $5 million in scholarships!

Scholarship News

This week’s featured scholar, Michelle Spradlin, will represent ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients at our November 9th benefit concert in Nashville, TN.  Michelle was eager to share her story with me and hopes that it will inspire others to pursue higher education:

My name is Michelle Spradlin.  I am 32 years old and a junior at Tennessee Wesleyan College.  I am also a military wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a big sister and am very blessed to be loved.  I am very involved in my community, my church and my daughters’ activities.

If you had asked me ten years ago about my thoughts on college, I would not have known where to start.  I have a great family who taught me to work hard, and so I do my best. 

Five years ago, my husband was returning from his first tour in Iraq and I was working as a branch manager of a bank.  We decided then that it was time for me to start college.  I was unsure of how to begin or where I’d end up, but I knew that I wanted to teach in the public school system.  I fall every day, but I have determination and hope.  I hope that when I have the privilege of being called teacher that I inspire my students to exceed in all they do.  I will also share with them what a great privilege we have to be Americans.

My husband, Eddie Spradlin, served ten years with the United States Marine Corps.  He was deployed with the Marines to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.  He is currently serving with the Army National Guard. He deployed with the National Guard to Camp Bucca, Iraq, in 2007.  His deployments taught us we could face anything!

That being said, college presents financial challenges that are difficult to face.  If not for programs like ThanksUSA, it would not have been financially feasible for me to attend college.  I am very thankful to all who support such an outstanding program.  It makes me feel proud and humble that I was chosen as a 2009 ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipient.  I look forward to being able to give back to our country through my own education.  Thank you again; not only for the financial support, but also for believing in me!

Thank you, Michelle!  We wish you, and all ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients continued academic success.  If you would like tickets to the ThanksUSA benefit concert, please visit Ticketmaster.  Featured artists for the event include Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Jim Lauderdale, The Steel Drivers, Leslie Satcher, and Monty Holmes…hope to see you there!

Scholarship News

Most military dependents must become accustomed to the absence of a parent due to deployment. But what happens when both parents are serving on active duty? Duty station assignments, deployments, and everyday schedules become even more challenging. Although these stresses can lead to family instability, this week’s featured scholar and her family embraced the dual military lifestyle and remain as close and loving as ever.

Heather McLernon

Meet Heather McLernon, a sophomore at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) carrying a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Heather is the recipient of a $3000 ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarship. Both of Heather’s parents have served in the U.S. Air Force. Her mother retired in 2007 after 22 years of service which included four overseas deployments, one of which was to Iraq. Heather’s father has been on active duty for the past 23 years and recently returned from a four month deployment to South America.

 
While reflecting on her parents’ military careers, Heather says, “Its difficult having two active duty parents. Both of my parents were active duty, with my mother retiring during the summer of 2007. When both parents serve on active duty, you move around a lot which becomes hard on your social life. When both parents get deployed at the same time, you don’t have them to come home to every night. Military families have a greater appreciation for the little things that other families take for granted. Let’s just say that family dinners become a blessing. Military families make a lot of sacrifices and I’m really thankful that the ThanksUSA Scholarship recognizes those sacrifices.” 

The McLernon family

Not only does ThanksUSA recognize the sacrifices of our military families, we also recognize the academic achievements of our scholarship recipients. Heather McLernon is certainly deserving of that recognition. She is a member of the University Honors program and is one of only 50 CSULB students to be named a Presidential Scholar. When Heather is not studying, she manages and plays on an intramural softball team for CSULB. 

After completing her degree at CSULB, Heather plans to attend graduate school and study sociology or criminology. Heather adds, “The career I’m leaning towards is criminal psychologist or possibly working with juveniles who’ve gotten into trouble and just need a push in the right direction. I was part of a peer helping group in middle through high school and learned that I really enjoyed helping others. This also influenced my decision to become a psychology major. While taking a criminal justice class, I became very interested in the psychological influence on crime…thus my decision to study criminal justice.”

ThanksUSA is proud to be a part of Heather’s education. Like most schools across the country, CSULB has faced budget cuts and fee increases. With your help, ThanksUSA Scholarships continue to assist students like Heather meet the ever increasing costs of education:
“It was a blessing knowing that I could start off the year without worrying about all the money it costs to be a college student. Thank You!”                       -Heather McLernon

Scholarship News

This past week, friends and supporters of ThanksUSA gathered at the Newseum in Washington, DC, to celebrate the 2009 Treasure Our Troops Gala.  The event raised funds for additional ThanksUSA scholarships and allowed guests to meet ThanksUSA founders, Rachel and Kelsi Okun, as well as some of our past and present scholarship recipients.

There are so many individuals who deserve our appreciation for making the evening possible.  Since this is our Scholarship News blog, I want to focus on a few special guests and recognize all of the ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients who eagerly volunteered to help with the occasion.

Our emcee, National Correspondent and NBC Today Show co-host, Natalie Morales, spoke of growing up as an Air Force brat and her continued dedication to causes that support the U.S. Military.  Keynote speaker, General George Casey shared his understanding of, and commitment to, the needs of military families during these uncertain times. 

Speaking on behalf of ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipients were Army Reserve spouse, Michelle Lilje and Army dependent, Drayton Bird.  Guests learned of the challenges Michelle overcame to complete her education while Drayton spoke of his ”rat” year at VMI.  Attendees were also able to meet and speak with other scholarship recipients in attendance, Mary Bird, Kelleigh Cosentino, and Amanda Smith. 

To include and honor as many scholarship recipients as possible, Gala guests were encouraged to phone and text select recipients throughout the evening.  My deepest gratitude to all who volunteered their time to be available for this special outreach opportunity:

Shadie  Andraos,  Taylor Andrus,  Johannah Dowell,  Cory Ellis,  Justin Fabling,  Kendall Gill,  Stephanie Harvell,  LaKeshia Hyndman,  Ashtin Jeney,  Jennie Laurent,  Kelly McCorkle,  Heather McLernon,  Bernard McPherson,  Cameron Michael,  Ray Phua,  Thomas Reho,  Brooke Rogers,  Bailey Smith,  Rachel Smith,  Leighann Temple,  Tianna Yentzer

ThanksUSA co-founders, Rachel and Kelsi Okun, recruited an enthusiastic group of young volunteers for the ThanksUSA Kids Committee.  The Kids Committee served as aides and guides for the evening.  On behalf of all the guests in attendance, I would like to extend my appreciation to all Kids Committee participants:

Zachary Baskin,  Griffin Boyle,  Jackie Bruner,  Nicole Bruner,  Trevor Cockerham,  Mary Elizabeth Cordia,  Madison Gallagher,  Muneera Hassan,  Nicole Kittay,  Charlotte Koch,  Jackie Litchewski,  Jeanette Litschewski,  Lauren Martin,  Alexander Pierson,  Amya Smith,  Charlotte Sununu,  Grace Sununu

ThanksUSA wishes to thank everyone who attended the Treasure Our Troops Gala.  Our mission remains the same – to mobilize Americans of all ages to thank the men and women of the United Sates armed forces by providing college, technical, and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses.  Your donations and support continue to help so many reach their academic goals.  Thank You!

Scholarship News

Change…whether military or civilian, you’re sure to face change at some point in your life. Sometimes change is thrust upon us. At other times we take the initiative to make changes ourselves. This week’s featured scholar, Zachary Gibson, did just that and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Zachary Gibson

 

Next spring, Zachary will earn his BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Lee University. Since 2006, Zachary has received $7200 in ThanksUSA Scholarships! This year, he received a $3000 ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarship to help complete his education. Zachary says, “I want to tell ThanksUSA how very much the receipt of this scholarship has meant to my family and me. I am so appreciative of the service this has done for me and for the many other military dependents that receive this scholarship. Thank you!”

 

Originally, Zachary was majoring in Biochemistry with the goal of becoming a doctor. But after his first year of study, he found himself reconsidering his major. “I would find myself in the library, having gone there to study chemistry, wandering the philosophy shelves instead of the math and sciences. I have always had a fascination with the metaphysical. This love of philosophy and theology, along with a trip to Israel during the summer of 2007, solidified in me the necessity of switching majors. I switched to Biblical and Theological Studies that Fall and haven’t looked back. I’m totally loving it!”

Isn’t it wonderful when you make a change in your life that just feels right? Of course not all the changes are so easy. As a Navy brat, Zachary has had to learn to accept and embrace change all his life. His father, Commander David Gibson, has been stationed up and down the East Coast and as far away as Italy. Being a Navy Chaplain, CMD Gibson has served billets not only for the Navy, but also for the Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Zachary says, “My father was recently stationed in Rhode Island for three years straight. This has been a hard journey for my family, but we came through it and he is now stationed back in Pensacola.”

Military families face many emotional and financial challenges. Education should not be one of those. As Zachary remarked, “This scholarship enables me to put the full force of my brain power towards education, whereas without it, my faculties would be divided between school and finances.”

After graduating from Lee University, Zachary has plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps on a flight contract. The ThanksUSA team wishes Zachary all the best in completing his degree and the upcoming challenges of flight school. May he readily embrace the changes that his military career will bring!

Scholarship News

Everybody is an amateur photographer today. We carry cameras with us everywhere…they’re built into our computers, our phones, even our mobile music devices. We all take pictures, but some of us have a true eye for capturing images. Those with real talent can evoke a deep emotional response with a photograph. I’m proud to introduce you to one such individual, ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarship Recipient, Taylor Curry. Taylor is a sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design where he is studying photography.

 

“First, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to ThanksUSA. Without their help, it would be so much harder for my family and me to fund college. I am currently attending Savannah College of Art and Design for a B.F.A. in Photography. This will be my second year attending the school and my expected graduation date is in the spring of 2012.

Growing up in the military is full of challenges. One of the darker challenges was the demise of my father who was diagnosed with PTSD and who subsequently went on to end his own life.

 

Dust by Taylor Curry

 

However, even that challenge has shaped me in a positive way because of the support of my family and the military community. I accept that time isn’t finite and that what the day brings isn’t necessarily given in the future. I try to be accepting of others and show my true emotions. As the saying goes “this isn’t a dress rehearsal.”

 

Big Ben by Taylor Curry

 

One of the more enjoyable challenges would be the traveling. In many ways, I owe my inspiration to the military. After being stationed in the UK and submerged in all the history and culture, I felt I had to document the thoughts in my head through any means possible. I took up photo my junior year of high school and have been clicking away ever since.

 

 

After being accepted into SCAD, I realized what a financial hole I would be digging myself in over the next four years. Receiving the $3000 ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarship is more than just money – it is a means of funding my education, making the process of growth and exploration possible. I’ve known from a young age that, in my world, visual imagery has no end. Visual imagery is a powerful means of communication that speaks, without words, but with so much feeling. I know I have the determination to be successful, not only in my chosen field of study, but in any career I choose to pursue which involves the visualization of occurrences in our world.

Transatlantic by Taylor Curry

After receiving my B.F.A. in Photography I plan to either attend graduate studies in Europe or join the Peace Corps and complete a document study on wherever I may be placed. I want to be able to draw my viewers’ eye to the common things that people often see, but at the same time, overlook. I want to inspire passion, movement, and the involvement of others in a just cause through my work. I know that I am on the right track, that I have found my niche.”

As you can see by the few examples here, Taylor has definitely found his niche.  We wish him continued success and look forward to following his visual artistry wherever it may lead him.  Our thanks to the ESA Foundation for their continued support of gifted ThanksUSA scholars like Taylor.

Most Caring People in America

On Tuesday, October 13th, The Caring Institute will present the 2009 Caring Awards to select individuals who personify the spirit of giving in their everyday lives.  Among the youths to be recognized are ThanksUSA founders, Rachel and Kelsi Okun.

Though both Rachel and Kelsi are honored to receive the recognition of The Caring Institute, they are determined to keep the focus on ThanksUSA’s mission:

“ThanksUSA is not about us…It is about Paying it Forward to the troops and thanking them by helping their families improve their education.  We are thrilled about The Caring Institute award but we salute the troops.”

Well said girls and keep up the good work!

Treasure Hunt Update

Congratulations to another Treasure Hunt Three winner, Sandra Obi. Sandra was randomly selected as the alternate winner of chapter nine, Minnesota.

Sandra was so excited to be selected saying, ” I LOVE playing the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt game. A friend told me about the game last year, and got me hooked! I just love learning all of the facts about American history as I play. This is very challenging too – it’s not some easy google hunt where you just google and you’re done – some are real brain teasers! Of course I love what ThanksUSA stands for as I have many people who are close to me that are in the service.  It’s good to know what is out there to support them when they need help.”

This past week, Sandra received her prize, a new laptop!  If you played Treasure Hunt Four this past year, I may be congratulating you soon – winners will be drawn next week.  Good Luck to all who have submitted answers and be sure to check back for updates on Treasure Hunt Five which premiers on Thanksgiving Day!

Scholarship News

This year, the Northern Virginia Community College Education Foundation and NVCC’s Financial Aid Office joined ThanksUSA to offer the Linda J. Romeo/ThanksUSA Scholarship. This week, I’m pleased to introduce you to the recipient of this $4000 scholarship, Amanda Smith.

Amanda Smith with her family

Since the seventh grade, Amanda has been fascinated by biology and its significance in everyday life. She is currently pursuing her Associate of Science Degree at the Woodbridge Campus of NVCC, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. In addition to being a dedicated student, Amanda is also the mother of two beautiful children and the wife of U.S. Marine, Quentin Smith.

Quentin has served with the U.S. Marine Corps since 2001 and is a precision weapons technician. Quentin’s military career has included deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. With another deployment scheduled later this year, Amanda had to carefully consider the financial impact that attending school would have on her family. Not only did she have to evaluate tuition costs, but she also had to budget for childcare. As Amanda says, “Being a military spouse and mother makes it hard to decide whether or not to earn a college degree. In the end, I know it will be the right thing to do. I am very grateful for all the people who make ThanksUSA possible. I know there are many military spouses and military children who are appreciative of organizations like ThanksUSA! ”

After completing her A.S., Amanda plans to attend a four year university and earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Eventually, Amanda hopes to become a high school Biology teacher and inspire the next generation of eager minds. Amanda adds, “I think education is so important and teachers make all the difference in the world!”

The Linda J. Romeo/ThanksUSA Scholarship has proven to be an added source of strength and inspiration for Amanda. With financial burdens lifted, she is more determined than ever to prove to herself, her family, and ThanksUSA supporters, that she can maintain her high GPA and achieve all the academic goals that she has set for herself.

On September 28th, Amanda will have the opportunity to share her goals and gratitude with ThanksUSA supporters at our annual Fall Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament, hosted by Intelligent Decisions, will be held at The Club at Creighton Farms in Aldie, VA. To learn more about the tournament, please visit our events page.

The ThanksUSA team would like to commend Amanda on the successful beginning of her college career. We would also like to join Amanda in thanking Northern Virginia Community College for supporting our military families and ThanksUSA!

Treasure Hunt Update

I have some exciting news about Treasure Hunt Three…yes, TH3. At the conclusion of TH3 in 2008, winners were randomly selected from correct entries for each chapter. Unfortunately, because of outdated contact information, we were unable to notify some of the initial winners and alternates were recently selected.

Introducing the chapter two winner of Treasure Hunt Three, LaDonna Nowell. LaDonna has been playing the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt for the past few years and was thrilled to hear that she had won a laptop computer!

LaDonna Nowell

 

 

 

LaDonna says, “I have a group of friends that like to play online games and who also love to show support for our troops. Imagine how thrilled we were to find a place that lets us do both! ThanksUSA is a great place to learn about our country, support our troops, and help children in their education. Thank you for all that you do for our country and the children!”

 

 

Treasure Hunt Four winners will be selected by random drawing at the end of this month. If you correctly submitted answers to any chapter of TH4, you are a potential winner. Don’t miss out – please update your profile today! Simply login to the Hunt and click on “My Profile” to verify that your contact information is current and accurate.   I can’t wait to notify our TH4 winners!

Back to School

Like most parents, I have spent the last few weeks preparing my children for another year of school.  How many of you remember the excitement of that first day?  I specifically remember receiving my supplies directly from my school.  Every year, each student was handed a writing pad, 2 pencils and a box of crayons.  Our (hardback) books were provided for us and lunch only cost 50 cents.  Oh…the school office also used that lovely spelling mimeograph machine!

Unfortunately, many of our schools today face budget woes and struggle just to provide academic books.  So…schools post lists of supplies that each student should provide.  A few weeks ago, my daughters visited their elementary school’s website and printed out their supply lists.  My girls see this list as an exciting opportunity to express themselves with decorated folders, colorful pencils, and themed notebooks.  I see the supply list as a hole in my wallet!  Even so, I don’t hesitate to buy extra supplies and drop them in the local community donation box because every pencil counts.

Much as our grade schools face budget crises, so do our colleges and universities.  Budget cuts have forced many institutions to reduce or eliminate financial aid and need-based grants.  Every year, students face tuition and fee hikes as financial aid dwindles.  With your continued help, ThanksUSA will provide hundreds of scholarships worth $3,000 each for the 2009/2010 academic year.  I know that many of you donate school supplies to your local community every year.  Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to purchase an extra notebook or box of pencils, please don’t hesitate to make a ThanksUSA donation today because every cent counts.  Thank you so much for your continued support!

http://thanksusa.org/common/flash/psa.swf?vid=qyZ1s1Il-DQ

Cousins Who Care

I am so excited to report that the Cousins Who Care raised over $2,000 for the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program during their August 7th Bowl-A-Thon! The ThanksUSA team would like to thank Oma Walker’s extended family and friends who made the evening such an awesome success. In addition to raising funds, the Cousins Who Care also raised awareness of ThanksUSA and more donations are expected in honor of Mrs. Walker’s 80th birthday.

We would like to recognize and thank each of the Cousins Who Care for enlisting the help and support of family and friends. Participants from across the country enjoyed a fun filled night of pizza, face painting, and of course bowling! Special thanks to Suzanne Walker for organizing the event and to Christine Cockerham for her talented face painting. The Cousins Who Care are:

Miranda Moriarty

Charlie Leonard

Kyle Walker       

Julia Cockerham

Kelley Walker   

Derek Walker

Trevor Cockerham (Cousins Who Care logo/flyer design)

Maggie Guerriere

Stephanie Leonard         

Michael Guerriere

Lily Moriarty                      

Tommy Leonard

Carly Cockerham

Olivia Guerriere

Cousins Who Care & Friends

These kids really deserve our thanks! Please give them a round of applause and leave an encouraging comment on this blog. You can also check out more Bowl-A-Thon photos on the ThanksUSA Facebook page. Thanks again, Cousins Who Care. We look forward to hearing about your future philanthropic endeavors!

ThanksUSA Benefit Concert

Announcing the ThanksUSA benefit concert presented by Jim Lauderdale and Friends!  Join us November 9th at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, to listen to music greats Vince Gill, Amy Grant, The SteelDrivers, and Jim Lauderdale.  Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster and we would love to hear from those who are planning to attend!  Select Nashville area radio stations will have ticket giveaways so be sure to check back here for an update!

 

Scholarship News

The ThanksUSA team is always happy to receive updates from current and former scholarship recipients. Recently, I had the pleasure of following up with one of the first ThanksUSA scholarship recipients, Celena Janton. During 2006, Celena received a $5000 ThanksUSA Scholarship. This former Technical Sergeant, loving wife, and mother of four, graduated in May from Northern Arizona University with her BA in Education.

The Janton Family

What influenced Celena’s choice to pursue a BA in Education? Her children, of course! When she became pregnant with twins, her educational focus shifted to the understanding and education of children. As Celena says, “Becoming a mother changed my interests dramatically!” After completing an Early Childhood class, her decision was made.

After the birth of twin daughters, Beth and Milena, Celena was able to attend Northern Arizona University full-time through an on-line program. One year after the birth of the twins, daughter Olivia came along. As the family grew and life became more hectic, Celena kept up with her studies, maintaining a high GPA and making the Dean’s list every semester. Even when, in 2007, son Sammy joined the fold…yes, Celena and husband, Mike, were blessed four times within three years! Celena adds, “I’m proud of my educational accomplishments considering I had so many little ones!”

Prior to the birth of her children, Celena served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and the Air National Guard for five years. Like many active duty mothers, Celena struggled with the consequences of a possible overseas or war zone deployment. With her husband, Mike, also serving on active duty with the Air National Guard in Civil Engineering, Celena made the decision to put her children first and leave the service.

When I asked Celena to elaborate on the challenges of military life, Celena was very upbeat and replied, “I have to admit that any challenges turn out to be exciting experiences! My husband, Mike, has not deployed overseas since our engagement 10 years ago and I’m grateful for that. He had to go TDY once last year, but the whole family went with him. We had a big family road trip across the country which made some of our best memories. Because my classes have been entirely online, I was able to continue my studies even while travelling. Overall, the military has been more of a blessing to us than any kind of burden. We have changed and grown in ways that never would have been possible without it!”

When Celena graduated in May, the entire Janton family took another family road trip to Flagstaff, Arizona to attend the commencement ceremony. Celena says, “It was rewarding to have all of my family there to see me graduate. They were all so excited for me!” Celena looks forward to continuing her education and plans to enroll in Graduate school next semester.

Currently, Celena’s focus is on her husband and children. Both Celena and Mike are involved with churches both on and off base. Mike leads a Bible study at the base chapel while Celena teaches preschool at an off base church. Celena has also begun homeschooling the twins. Mike is currently working with the Predator Squadron and has recently been promoted to TSgt. Later this year he will be attending the NCO Academy…Celena and the children are looking forward to the upcoming road trip! In her spare time (as scarce as it may be), Celena enjoys writing children’s stories and devotionals.

ThanksUSA is so proud to have been a part of Celena’s education and we wish the entire Janton family the best. I truly hope that every individual who makes a donation to the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program understands the difference that they have made in someone’s life. In Celena’s words, “When I found out that I had been selected to receive a $5000 scholarship, I was so excited! Without it, I would not have been able to attend school full-time and I would have been worried about how to pay for books and supplies. Especially with a growing family, it was truly a blessing!”

Treasure Hunt Four

The clock is ticking….today, August 15th, 11:59 p.m. EDT, is the final deadline for Treasure Hunt Four! We thank you for accepting the challenge and hope that you’ve learned some interesting state facts while unlocking those treasures. Please make sure to verify that all of your contact information is correct in your profile – we’ll be contacting winners soon!

Although Treasure Hunt Four is concluding, the ThanksUSA team is already busy preparing Treasure Hunt Five which will premier Thanksgiving Day. Make sure to visit the ThanksUSA website and blog often to get updates on TH4 winners and news on upcoming ThanksUSA events.

We extend a very special Thank You to all TH4 participants who donated to the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program during the hunt. We hope you’ll take some time to read the Scholarship News blog to learn more about the individuals who benefit from ThanksUSA. Thanks again and good luck to all!

Treasure Hunt Four

This is it, Treasure Hunters…the final week. The Treasure Hunt Four deadline is August 15th.  I am so excited for everyone participating in Treasure Hunt Four! If you’ve missed any TH4 hints or tips, search the blog archives. There are several ways to get some direct help: post a comment to this blog (below), send me an email (sherrykoch@thanksusa.org), DM on Twitter, or visit our Facebook page and write on our wall.

Now, let’s work on some questions from North Dakota, chapter 11. Don’t be intimidated by the Kakuro puzzle. Yes, you will have to do some math, but with a little guidance even our youngest players can complete this puzzle. Let’s look at a clue that tricked quite a few of our treasure hunters:

22. This lady is an awesome role model in several ways. Her work helped open the world of theater to the hearing-impaired. In the 1960s, she helped found the National Theater for the Deaf, and she won a Tony award for her performance in the Broadway play, Children of a Lesser God. She is the oldest of how many deaf children? Add eleven to your answer and place it in the upper half of F2.

Many of us are familiar with 1986 film version of Children of a Lesser God, and mistakenly thought that the clue referred to Marlee Matlin. The clue specifically refers to the Broadway play, Children of a Lesser God. Keep in mind that we’re completing the North Dakota chapter, so our search may include the following:

North Dakota + National Theater for the Deaf + Tony award

Make sure that you read the biography of this person to find out how many children were in her family. If you’re having trouble finding a complete biography, try this search:

(name) + oldest of children

This should give you the exact number you’re looking for. Don’t forget, we have to add 11 to our answer and then enter that number into the upper portion of F2. Hint: you should have a two digit number. Keep in mind that this upper portion of F2 is the sum of F3+F4+F5+F6.

Let’s look at one more for this chapter:

7. The military community encompasses personnel from all over the world. “Only the Best Come North” is the motto of this Air Force Base. How many letters are in the name of both the city and its base? Subtract one from your answer and place it in G4.

Since this clue includes a quoted statement, let’s make sure to include that in our search.  We know we’re in North Dakota (abbreviation ND) and we’re looking for a city which is also the name of an Air Force Base (abbreviation AFB):

ND + AFB + “Only the Best Come North”

Don’t forget to subtract 1 from the total amount of letters.  Now enter your answer in the lower part of G4.  G4 will be the sum of H4+J4.  It’s very important to remember that H4 and J4 cannot be the same digit.

I hope this helps you get through the Kakuro.  You really do need to answer all of the questions before you tackle the rest of the puzzle.  Your final clue will use the numbers in H7, C5, E6, D7, D4, H4, and F3.  These numbers will actually make up a date: 1 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year.  Your final answer was dedicated in North Dakota on that date.  Good Luck!

Treasure Hunt Four

Just to make sure that we cover all of the chapters before the August 15th deadline, here are a few questions from The United States Marine Corps, chapter 12:

21. What world famous military unit “wordlessly” wins acclaim for its “colorful” precision, magnificent “manual” maneuvers and “disciplined” pace?

Wow, this one is a bit cryptic. First, we’re looking for a famous military unit. We are in the United States Marine Corps chapter, so we’re looking for a U.S. Marine Corps unit or platoon. Notice “wordlessly” is in quotes? Perhaps there’s some word play here. What an excellent opportunity to use a thesaurus! No, children, it’s not a baby dinosaur. Yes, I am considered a dinosaur because I actually own a thesaurus (in actual book form)! There are many online thesauri so don’t despair…wordlessly means without speech or sound, so a good synonym would be silently.

So we’re looking for a platoon of silent Marines who demonstrate precise and magnificent maneuvers. The following search should be enough to find your answer:

U.S. Marine Corps + silent

If you need additional help, try adding the words platoon, precision, or maneuvers to your search. You should also find some very impressive video clips of this impressive unit. If you visit Washington, D.C. during the summer (May-August), you may even see them perform live during this event:

18. What famous event takes place seasonally at a similarly famous location at 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C.?
This address is so well known, that you can find your answer by searching for the cross streets in quotes:

“8th & I”

If you’re looking for additional help with chapter 12, check out the Treasure Hunt Four blog from April 4th. There is also a search bar in the upper right corner of this page – it allows you to search through all the blog postings for specific words or phrases. If you still can’t find the help you need, submit a comment blow or send me an email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org. Good Luck!

Treasure Hunt Four

Where has the summer gone? For many, August marks the last weeks of summer and the beginning of a new school year. For ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt participants, August marks the end of the hunt. The final deadline for TH4 is August 15!

With only two weeks left to unlock those treasures, we’ll focus on the tricky “Wordoku” for Maryland, chapter 10. Since the Wordoku requires the nine letters from your answer to question #24, we’ll start there.

24. This largest Maryland city is situated closer to major Midwestern markets than any other major seaport on the East Coast.

You may choose to search largest Maryland city, or you may want to browse through Maryland state facts to find your answer. When you enter your answer, the city’s name will appear diagonally through the Wordoku, from A1 through J9.

Each of these nine letters should appear once in every row, column, and 3×3 region of the large grid. Let’s look at the questions that will help you complete the bottom right 3×3 region:

7. The most famous baseball player born in Maryland is a Jr., but this babe’s first name was not Calvin.

In case you’re not familiar with baseball, Calvin in this question is referring to Calvin Edward Ripken Jr. So the answer is not Cal Ripken Jr. If you are familiar with baseball, you’ve probably figured out who we are looking for…let’s make sure we include the word babe in our search:

Baseball + Maryland + babe + “Jr.”

Including the quotes around Jr. ensures that we get the full and complete name that we’re looking for. Once you have your answer, blocks J7 and A3 will be filled in on the grid. Now let’s get a letter for G9:

17. Surveyed between 1763 and 1767 to resolve a dispute, this forms part of the border of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

For our younger Treasure Hunt players, a few additional hints: this border is named after the two men who conducted the survey and was later considered the separating “line” between union and confederate states. Since we have those ever important dates, our search could be:

border surveyed 1763-1767

One more question contains a letter for the last region:

19. Military members often refer to this hospital by the name of the city it resides in, and this facility also cares for presidents and members of Congress who need surgical and medical procedures. What is its official name?

If you haven’t spent time in the Washington, D.C. area, this question may be a bit confusing. Notice that the first two words of the question are Military members? The facility we’re looking for is a military hospital. Try one of the following searches:

MD military hospital

Or you can add the clues Congress and/or U.S. President

MD military hospital + Congress + U.S. President

This should lead you to your answer and the letter for H9. If you’ve completed all of the questions listed here today, you will have six of the nine blocks completed in the last region. The rest is up to you…when you’ve completed the entire Wordoku, click the Wordoku 2 tab to get your final clues to unlock the Maryland treasure.

With only two weeks left to submit answers, now is the time to ask for help. Some of the TH4 questions are easy and obvious, but some are really tricky. Don’t hesitate to ask for additional hints…I am truly eager to help. Next week we’ll focus on questions from the remaining two chapters, North Dakota and the United States Marine Corps. Until then, I wish everyone the best of luck!

Scholarship News

Dawn Steele is a Navy spouse, a mother, a full-time student, and the recipient of a $3000 Intelligent Decisions/ThanksUSA Scholarship. Dawn will earn her BA in Education at the end of September, graduating Magna Cum Laude from National University in La Jolla, California. She will spend the next year completing her teaching credentials before leading and inspiring her own classroom. Ideally, Dawn would like to teach high school aged students in the gifted and talented program.

Jeffrey and Dawn Steele

Dawn’s husband, Jeff, is very supportive of her decision to attend school. He has served in the U.S. Navy for over sixteen years and likes the idea of Dawn having a career that offers a set schedule. The Steele’s often joke that somebody in the family needs to have a “normal” job in order to provide a stable and healthy family environment.

Jeff’s Navy career demands frequent moves to new duty stations. Though they have gotten used to moving an entire household across the country, Dawn has faced the frustration of trying to transfer credits from one university to another. Since different schools value each other’s academic credits differently, Dawn’s studies have taken longer than expected. But Dawn remains positive, seeing education as a life-long endeavor. She plans to pursue higher education well beyond her bachelor’s degree.

Dawn and Jeff recognize and appreciate the benefits allotted by Jeff’s Navy career. However, educational benefits for military spouses are scarce. The ThanksUSA scholarship program was just what they needed. Dawn and her family would like to thank Intelligent Decisions for easing the substantial financial burdens of her education. She adds, “I applaud Intelligent Decisions for living up to their name by making the excellent decision to generously support ThanksUSA. We need more companies like Intelligent Decisions to focus on education because the benefits are ten-fold.”

ThanksUSA applauds Dawn’s success and hopes that her story encourages others. Dawn has some very simple, direct advice for any military spouse considering higher education, “It’s time. You can accomplish your goals without sacrificing your family life.” Dawn has two young children and explained that using a combination of online courses and classroom studies works well for busy parents and spouses. Is your spouse deploying soon? Take a class or two to make sure school is the right fit for you at this time. As Dawn says, “It’s a very constructive way to stay busy, boost your confidence, and be the strength that your family needs!” Thanks for the advice, Dawn. We know you’ll make a great teacher!

Treasure Hunt Four

Welcome Treasure Hunters! Since there are only three weeks left to play TH4, let’s jump right in and answer some questions from Colorado, chapter 9. First, we’ll dig up the answers to mining questions:

7. This type of metal mined in Colorado helps to create steel and is more resistant to heat than other metals. What is it?
12. What is the name of the most productive gold mine in Colorado?

Since both of these questions focus on mining in Colorado, we can probably find both answers in the same place. If you search for Colorado mining, you should come across the website for the Colorado Mining Association. Although the entire website has fascinating information, you’ll find what you’re looking for under Mining Facts and Resources.  (hint -Unique Facts About Colorado Mining)

After you find your answers, challenge a friend or relative to pronounce the answer to number 7. If they’re successful, challenge them to say it five times fast!  (www.Merriam-Webster.com includes pronunciations)

Now let’s look at two questions that focus on nicknames:

9. What famous boxer was known as the “Manassa Mauler?”

Type the key words “Manassa Mauler” into your search engine and you’ll easily find your answer. Now, a trickier question:

16. This Denver socialite, who was born in Missouri, survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. She was commonly known as the____.

There were several hundred survivors of this tragedy, so we need to narrow our search. I always mention how important it is to include dates in your search, but not this time. The sinking of the Titanic was such a shocking tragedy that the date in this case is really not necessary. Let’s focus on the words Denver socialite and keep in mind that we’re looking for a “nickname” of sorts. Your search may look like this:

Titanic survivor + Denver socialite + nickname

When you find your answer, I hope you’ll take some time to learn a bit about the philanthropic endeavors of this larger-than-life personality.

Next week we’ll focus on questions from Maryland, chapter 10. If you’ve missed any of the hints or tips, search the blog archives. If you need help with a specific question or chapter, please leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org. Just a reminder that the final deadline is August 15th. Good Luck!