ThanksUSA Announces TH9!

THANKSUSA ANNOUNCES NINTH ANNUAL TREASURE HUNT CHALLENGE

November 26, 2013, Washington, DC – ThanksUSA and their partner the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation today announced the launch of the ninth annual ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt (TH9), a free, fully interactive digital trivia and puzzle game about U.S. history, culture and values. The hunt supports ThanksUSA’s annual scholarship fund to benefit the children and spouses of active-duty military personnel by providing need-based scholarships for two-year or four-year colleges, vocational or technical schools. The focus of this year’s hunt will be the United States Bill of Rights.

The digital trivia game will be assessable starting Thanksgiving Day, November 28. Participants will be quizzed on the Bill of Rights’ history, purpose and implications on American life. It is the first of six Treasure Hunt chapters available for free online (www.thanksusa.org) and via mobile application.

“Treasure Hunt 9 promises to be one of our most challenging contests ever, engaging students and their families across the country while reminding them of the sacrifices of our troops,” said ThanksUSA Executive Director Michele Stork. “The ESA Foundation’s continued support for the contest and scholarships will help ThanksUSA cross the $10 million mark in scholarships.”

The ESA Foundation has underwritten the annual Treasure Hunt series for five years and also funds 25 “ESA Foundation/ThanksUSA Scholarships” annually. Since its inception in 2005, more than 12,000 Americans have engaged in ThanksUSA treasure hunts that reflect the nation’s history, values and culture while raising awareness and funds for the educational pursuits of military families.

“The U.S. video game industry is proud to support our nation’s troops and their families,” said Jenny Lai, vice president of the ESA Foundation. “We are proud to help educate children through the use of digital technology and bring our unique and impactful resources to augment ThanksUSA’s remarkable mission and work.”

Following the official launch of Treasure Hunt Nine on November 28, subsequent chapters will be introduced on the first of each month beginning January 1, 2014. The six-month Bill of Rights challenge will close on May 31, 2014, and will be followed by a summer bonus round slated for July 4 – August 15, 2014.

Four players who correctly answer each chapter’s questions will each receive a $250 Walmart gift certificate. A grand prize – a $500 Walmart gift card – will be drawn from the pool of individuals who correctly answer all questions in each round.

The Treasure Hunt series serves to generate attention and donations for ThanksUSA’s annual scholarship fund. Since 2006, ThanksUSA award over 3,000 need-based scholarships valued at nearly $10 million to families representing all branches of the armed services across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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About ThanksUSA
Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides need-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information, please visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

About the ESA Foundation
The ESA Foundation was created by the American interactive entertainment software industry to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from industry projects and and its annual fundraiser, “A Nite to Unite – for Kids.” For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit www.ESAFoundation.org

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Play Now!!

Click here to play!!

 

 

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Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia

Don’t miss this year’s TH7 Bonus: Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia!

Play during the 2012 U.S. Open (Aug 27-Sept 9) for your chance to win!!

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The TH Summer Bonus is Here!

Fans of ThanksUSA’s Treasure Hunt have been asking for a bonus all summer and it’s finally here! Whether you’re a seasoned Treasure Hunter or just trying out “The Hunt” for the first time, we think you’ll have a blast completing our Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia. The contest period coincides with the 2012 U.S. Open – August 27th through September 9th.

Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia is a free mobile device application (Apple app or Google Play app) to test your tennis knowledge. Install the Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia app on your mobile device and answer the ten (10) tennis trivia questions to get your first clue to the final answer. At the end, you will be given a second clue and the opportunity to submit your final answer.

Submit the correct final answer by the deadline to be eligible to win Prince Tennis racquets signed by Lisa Raymond and T-shirts signed by all three tennis celebrities!

If you don’t have a mobile device, don’t worry.  You can always register and play through our website. Please note that due to a few technicalities, the Android App has been delayed but will be available soon.

We hope you enjoy Tennis Thanks the Troops Trivia and encourage you to share the App with your friends, family, and especially tennis fans!!

Good Luck!

 (Android app coming soon)

**We’d love to know what you think of the new App…would like to see additional Treasure Hunt installments in this format? Give us your feedback and help us develop TH8!**

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Congratulations TH7 Phase I Winners!!

All of our Phase I (classroom/youth participant) winners have been notified and the last of the prizes are on their way. Our sincerest thanks to all teachers, youth administrators, students, and youth participants who worked so diligently on Treasure Hunt 7. Although Phase I has come to an end, the fun is not over…All Phase II (individual) participants have until August 15th to complete the TH7 chapters and be eligible for Phase II prizes. Remember, even if your child participated in Phase I, they can register as a Phase II participant (with parent permission) and play as an individual. The “Winners Page” will be updated soon! Until then, take a look at these photos of Bishop Woods Elementary students using their $1,000 Barnes&Noble gift card to sock their library:

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Final TH7 Deadline for Classrooms/Youth Groups

This is it Phase I Treasure Hunters, the final deadline for classroom/youth participants is this Thursday, April 19th. All Phase I participants who successfully unlock the final treasure of chapters 5, 6, or 7, will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate to purchase supplies! This week we’ll look at one final clue from Chapter 7, Tennis:

25. Considered by many as the leading promoter of professional tennis tours, he served with the United States Coast Guard during World War II. Count the number of letters in his first and last name and subtract 8. Place your answer in 9-E

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Alright, I’ll admit that if you’re not very familiar with tennis (like myself), this clue doesn’t offer a whole lot of direction. Let’s look at some additional hints to guide you to the correct answer:

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** In 1947, more than 15,000 spectators packed Madison Square Garden during a blizzard to watch his debut match as a Pro

** In the 1950’s, he toured the globe with a team of players and a portable tennis court to encourage international play

** His line of autographed Wilson rackets helped Wilson Sporting Goods Company become one of the sport’s leading equipment suppliers for amateurs and pros alike

** He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1968

After you find your answer and do a little bit of math, enter your numeric answer into 9E. After you’ve answered all the clues to Chapter 7, you will still need to solve that challenging Sudoku. If you just can’t make it work, please ask for help…just one wrong answer will throw off the entire puzzle!

If your students are still struggling with any of the clues in TH7, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on the blog or contact me directly (sherrykoch@thanksusa.org) for some additional help. Also, please remind students that they can register individually and play TH7 as a Phase II participant. The Phase II deadline for individuals is August 15th, so students have most of the summer to play along at home. Best of Luck!!

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Tennis Thanks the Troops & Challenges TH7 Participants!

Welcome back Treasure Hunters! Can you believe that we are less than two weeks away from the final Phase I deadline? All school/youth participants who submit correct entries for any of the final three chapters will be eligible to win a $1000 gift certificate for those much-needed supplies. To help you unlock those treasures, let’s take a closer look at a clue from Chapter 7, Tennis:

14. In 2006, the United States Open became the first Grand Slam event to adopt the Hawk-Eye instant replay system. The first instant replay challenge came from an American when he questioned a line call during an August 2006 match. Count the number of letters in his first and last name. Place your answer in 5-H and 7-F.

If you regularly visit the ThanksUSA website, you’ll notice that the United States Professional Tennis Association is a supporting partner of ThanksUSA and we’re happy to share some tennis trivia with TH7 participants. I have heard from a few regular Treasure Hunt players that this chapter has challenged even seasoned tennis players, so let’s get some additional hints for this clue:

** When conducting your search, be careful in selecting key words…particularly helpful for this clue are tennis, hawk, 2006, Grand Slam, and challenge

** Our mystery player challenged a shot hit by opponent Simon Greul

** Despite losing the challenge call, he went on to win the match 6-4 6-4 1-6 6-3

** The Minnesota native we’re looking for is currently one of the highest-ranked American tennis players

Even if you’ve never picked up a tennis racket, you can certainly appreciate the history of the sport. While we’re on the subject, did you know that the USPTA has teamed up with ThanksUSA to raise scholarship funds through Tennis Thanks the Troops? Tennis clubs across the nation will be making donations in support of ThanksUSA Scholarships by hosting Tennis Thanks the Troops events. Many clubs have already scheduled events for Memorial Day weekend, but any day of the week or weekend will work – make Tennis Thanks the Troops part of your weekly schedule or an addendum to an already scheduled tournament. If you are a member of a tennis club, be sure to share this link with your pro…the club raising the most money for Tennis Thanks the Troops will be able to send their pro and one guest to New York for the US Open on August 31!

The US Open Prize includes airfare for two, one night’s hotel accommodations in New York City, plus two (2) tickets to the US Open. To be eligible for the US Open Prize, your check or on-line donation must be received by July 15, 2012. Prize Sponsored by USTA Mid-Atlantic.

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Digging Up Answers in Peru

Attention Phase I Treasure Hunters…time to unlock those final treasures to qualify for the last Phase I prize drawing. I’d like to take a moment to welcome all new TH7 participants and remind everyone that if you are ever in a jam or just need a little nudge in the right direction, leave a comment on this blog and I’ll help you through the hunt!

The final deadline for Phase I (classroom and youth group) entries is approaching. All Phase I participants who successfully unlock the final treasures of Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and/or Chapter 7 by April 19, 2012, will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate to purchase supplies! Congratulations to one of our latest winners, 4D Christian Academy (you’ll get to meet them soon on our winner’s page). Let’s help everyone progress through the hunt by looking at a question from Chapter 6, Peru:

11. The tomb of this ancient ruler was discovered in Chiclayo. It is the oldest and most significant tomb in South America, drawing comparisons with the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt.   DEAF RHINOS PLOT

Deaf rhinos are not plotting anything…as we discussed last week, those odd word combinations at the end of each clue actually contain all the letters you need for your answer. In this instance, we need four separate words, so let’s look at some additional clues:

** Peru’s renowned archaeologist, Dr. Walter Alva, made the discovery in 1987

** Huaqueros, or present day “tomb raiders,” brought attention to the area when they were caught with artifacts dated to the Moche era

** Many subjects were buried alongside this Mochican warrior priest to accompany him into the afterlife including his wife, a dog, and even a llama

** In 2003, a museum was opened in Lambayeque so that the Peruvian residents of Chiclayo may share their treasured ancestor with the world

This is another fascinating subject that can distract you for much longer than you anticipated, but are educational distractions really that bad?!? Using the additional hints should help you unearth the answer to this mysterious clue and bring you closer to solving Chapter 6. Since we only have a few more weeks of Phase I play, make sure to ask for guidance if you need it and remember that all Phase I participants can register as Phase II individual participants. Good Hunting!

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A Train Ride Through the Peruvian Andes

Welcome back Treasure Hunters! The first four winners of TH7 have been contacted and we’ll be updating the Winner’s Page soon. Congratulations to our Chapter 1 winners, the first and fourth graders of Wisestar School! They will be receiving a $1,000 Walmart gift card to stock up on supplies for their school. With only a few more weeks until the final Phase I deadline, let’s jump right in and look at a clue from Chapter 6, Peru:

7. A ferroequinologist’s dream can be found in the Peruvian Andes! Built to service lead and zinc mines, the highest standard-gauge railway reaches the Anticona mountain pass from the west via the Galera Tunnel and emerges here: TAINT STOIC OIL

As we near the end of Treasure Hunt 7, the chapters and clues are getting trickier! To help us solve the clues, we are provided with a little help…those odd word combinations at the end of each clue actually contain all the letters you need for your answer. Let’s look at this clue in sections, getting additional hints to unscramble TAINT STOIC OIL and find the answer:

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** A ferroequinologist is a train enthusiast and a standard-gauge rail line is 4 feet, 8 ½ inches wide

** It took forty years for a multinational workforce to complete the railway which includes 61 bridges and 65 tunnels

** Our answer is located a headache-inducing 15,600 feet above sea level and is the last stop on the Pacific side of the railway

** If you plan to visit this locale via train, book your trip early…there are only about a dozen passenger runs per year

I hope you found this clue as fascinating as I did! While I was conducting my own research, I came across a great website, http://www.incasdelperu.org, that I thought was a wonderful source for this clue in particular. When you solve this clue and enter your answer, the numbered letters will automatically transfer into the “Anagram Quote” on the left.

All Phase I participants (classrooms and youth groups) have until April 19th to unlock the treasures of Chapters 5, 6, and/or 7 to be eligible for the final Phase I prizes. Please remind students that they can also register and play on their own (with parent/guardian permission) and be eligible for the Phase II (individual) prize drawing in September. Good Luck!

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Hop Down Under & Solve Some TH7 Clues!

Another deadline passed and we have two more winners! I know everyone is anxious to hear who won, but there are some formalities involved. I assure you that the winners will be announced once they are confirmed. Phase I participants (schools and youth groups) have one more month to complete any or all of the final three chapters of TH7 and be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate for school supplies.

As you work your way through TH7, you’ll notice that the clues are getting a bit tougher. No worries – I’m here to help. If you ever get really stuck, just leave a comment or email me (sherrykoch@thanksusa.org) and I’ll send you additional clues or direct you to a great research resource. This week, let’s focus on Chapter 5 Australia:

8.  In 1975 a Labor Party government instituted national health insurance in Australia.  Ten years earlier, in the United States, a Democratic Congress and installed health insurance for those 65 and older.  Though the Australian program covers all adults, both efforts adopted the same one-word name:

This chapter is all about finding the similarities between the two nations. Read each clue carefully because many hints are worked into the actual clues. Here are some additional facts to help you solve this one:

** Current U.S. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney became eligible for the program on March 12, but declined to enroll at this time

** The Australian program had a slightly different name before adopting the moniker in 1984 during the Hawke Government

** The plans of both countries have their share of advocates and critics who wish to reform the programs to better serve their residents

** Although a Commonwealth of Australia, Norfolk Island is, for the most part, a self-governing territory that does not participate in this program

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Need some additional inspiration to finish Chapter 5? Gaze into the eyes of this cute joey…he has absolutely nothing to do with this clue, but he is from Australia and he’s too cute to ignore!

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Again, Phase I participants have four weeks left to finish up the final chapters of TH7. If there is a particular clue from any chapter that you would like to see addressed here, please leave a comment. Keep in mind that all Phase I participants are encouraged to register as Phase II (individual) participants and play on their own. Individual participants have until August 15 to complete TH7 and be eligible for prizes. Good Hunting!

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Let Eleanor Roosevelt Help You With TH7

Congratulations to our first Phase I winners, Wise Star Elementary and Bishop Woods Elementary…we hope to bring you photos and updates soon! In the meantime, we have another deadline approaching. Phase I participants (school/youth groups) have until midnight on Thursday, March 15, to unlock the treasures of Chapter 3 & Chapter 4 and be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate to purchase supplies. This week, we’ll focus on one more clue from Chapter 4 America’s First Ladies:

7.  Eleanor Roosevelt began writing a syndicated newspaper column, My Day, during her tenure as First Lady. Many Americans drew inspiration and guidance from My Day during World War II. In October of 1943, Mrs. Roosevelt used her column to urge that American women be allowed to have a greater role in our military efforts. The article was titled:

Oh, how times have changed…thanks to progressive-thinking women like Eleanor Roosevelt. Although we have provided the month and year that her article was written, finding one particular article won’t be so easy. Mrs. Roosevelt wrote the column six days a week!

This is one of those clues that can suck you into the research black-hole. You know it happens, you try to find the answer to a clue and discover a trove of interesting information that keeps you engaged for far too long…welcome to Eleanor Roosevelt’s My Day. The George Washington University has created a wonderful website dedicated to the My Day articles that is comprehensive and easy to use (click here). When you take a break from reading those, come back and check out some additional hints to solving this week’s featured clue:

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** She was inspired to write the article after watching a film about the British Women’s Military Auxiliary Services

** Mrs. Roosevelt said, “If I were young enough, I would rather be a nurse in the Army or Navy, for they are allowed to share more nearly the men’s existence.”

** Dozens of the My Day articles were focused on women taking a greater role in society

After you’ve entered your answers in the crossword puzzle, don’t forget to click the “Treasure” tab above the clues. You’ll need to unscramble the transferred letters and solve one final clue to unlock the chapter’s treasure. Thursday is the next deadline so if you need some help, please leave a comment or send me an email (sherrykoch@thanksusa.org) so I can help your classroom or youth group qualify for prizes. Good Luck!

 

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Voting Rights

Our first two Phase I winners have been confirmed and the next deadline is approaching quickly! The deadline for Chapters 3 and 4 for school and youth group participants is Thursday, March 15th. Remember, even if you are playing as a group, students can register (with parental permission) as Phase II individual participants. Since the next deadline is less than two weeks away, let’s look at a clue from Chapter 4, America’s First Ladies:

9. Not only did she help her husband run a front-porch campaign, but this soon-to-be First Lady was the first to have the constitutional right to vote for her husband in a Presidential election. Her historic vote was cast in Marion, Ohio.

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Election years provide so many teaching opportunities and so does the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt! It may be hard to believe, but women’s suffrage is still a global issue. Just last September King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia granted women the right to vote in the next election cycle (2015). Here are a few more facts to help you solve this TH7 clue:

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* American women won the right to vote in 1920

* Prior to becoming First Lady, she studied classical piano for years and had dreamt of being an internationally recognized concert pianist

* Staying true to the “front-porch campaign,” she opened the gates to the White House as a symbol of neighborliness

* When sugar prices became too high for most American households, she led a national boycott

Once you’ve found the answer, type it into the crossword puzzle to the left. When you click the “Treasure” tab above the clues, you will notice that letters have automatically transferred from your crossword. When the entire crossword is solved, you will unscramble the letters for clues to the chapter’s final treasure. As we advance further through the Treasure hunt, unlocking those final treasures become more challenging. If you ever need additional direction, please leave a comment or send me a direct email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org so I can help you complete the hunt. We want to challenge participants, but we also want you to have fun and be eligible for prizes!

 

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Let’s Conduct Some Research!

Welcome back Treasure Hunters! Just a reminder that we are currently in Phase I of TH7 which means that school and youth group participants are eligible for prizes. If you are the adult teacher or leader who registered the group, please make certain that all of the contact information is updated in your Treasure Hunt account profile – we need to be able to reach you if you win!!

Speaking of winning, the next Phase I deadline is March 15, 2012. Your school or youth group could win a $1000 gift certificate just for unlocking the treasure of Chapter 3, New Zealand, or Chapter 4, First Ladies. Let’s take a look at a clue from Chapter 3, New Zealand:

19. This “kiwi” grew up with many hardships, but looked upon them as a gift. With his inquiring mind, he captured the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. What is his last name?

So we’re looking for a New Zealand native, male, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. The spaces provided under the clue indicate that his last name contains ten letters. You’ll soon discover that there are two “kiwis” who have not only won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, but whose last names contain ten letters. You’ll have to take a closer look at the clue and learn a little more about each man to determine which one is the answer. Here are a few additional hints to help you along:

image from the Office of Science and Technology

** His complex study, research, and experimentation focus was introducing metallic conductivity to organic polymers (flexible plastic that can conduct electricity)

** He joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania in 1955 and was serving UPenn as Blanchard Professor of Chemistry when he passed in 2007

** He received his Nobel Prize in 2000 along with fellow chemists, Heeger and Shirakawa

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Once you have determined which scientific mind we are honoring, remember to locate your answer in the wordsearch to the left. I do hope that if you are a teacher or youth group leader that you will take the time to help your students learn about the subject matter in TH7…after all, you may be mentoring the next Nobel Prize winner!

Thank you to all who have been participating in TH7 and remember to tell your friends and family to play. We have some exciting bonuses in the works (more to come). Make sure to stay up to date by following us on Twitter and joining our Facebook page. Good Hunting!

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Tēnā Koutou

The first two winners of TH7, Phase I, have been selected! I will be announcing the names of our winning classrooms/youth groups shortly, so be sure to visit this blog and check out our Facebook page for updates.

The next Phase I entry deadline is March 15th. All classroom/youth group participants who submit correct entries for Chapter 3 and/or 4 will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate to purchase supplies! New groups can still register and qualify for prizes…click here to register your group now.

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Since the next entry deadline is approaching quickly, let’s take a closer look at a clue from Chapter 3, New Zealand:

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3.  Tahi, rua, _____. What comes next int he Maori language?

ABC’s and 123’s…the essentials of education exist in every culture and introducing children to a foreign culture through language is both fun and engaging. If you are participating in TH7 with a school or youth group, challenge them to count higher in Maori or ask them to research the Maori language and learn a simple phrase. Afterall, He Taonga te Reo!

After you answer the clues in Chapter 3, don’t forget to locate and highlight your answer in the word search. This is a very large and busy word search…answers will be found forwards, backwards, up, down, and diagonally, so take your time! If you get stuck or need additional hints, leave a comment and I’ll help you through it.

Here are some additional resources for solving clues and unlocking the New Zealand treasure:

CIA World Factbook New Zealand – accurate and thorough information

www.newzealand.com/us/ – has a great interactive map so you can explore virtually

www.worldatlas.com – a lot of ads and may be too “busy” for younger children, but still contains accurate information

Your local library! –  even with the internet, our libraries are still a precious resource

As always, I wish you the best of luck and hope you have fun exploring New Zealand through TH7!

 

 

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First TH7 Deadline This Week!!

This is it Phase I Treasure Hunters…the first TH7 deadline is Thursday, February 16th. One school/youth group winner will be randomly selected for each of the first two chapters. How can your classroom or youth group win? Simple…register for TH7 and submit correct answers for chapter 1, Taiwan or Chapter 2, Military Movies.  Let’s take a closer look at one more clue from Chapter 2, Military Movies:

NOT Matthew Broderick

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15. Glory, a 1989 film, tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first official African-American units during the United STates Civil War. The story is told from the point of view of its commanding officer, played by Matthew Broderick. What is the name of this real-life officer?

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It may seem simple and quick to just look up the answer to this question in a movie database, but I really do hope that you’ll take a little time to learn about the subject matter. Get to know more about the real-life person instead of just the dramatized character of the movie! Just in case you need a little more guidance, here are a few facts about the real-life man who we’re trying to identify:

*  Although he withdrew prior to graduation, he is memorialized in Harvard’s Memorial Hall listed with the class of 1860

* When he learned that his men were to be paid less than white soldiers, he led a boycott until the issue was resolved

* He was buried in a common grave with his soldiers…an act that was meant to be an insult. His family, however, accepted his eternal resting place with pride knowing that he would want to be buried with his brave soldiers

* The memorial of this leader with the 54th Regiment was built in Boston, 1897. A slightly different design of the memorial is displayed at the National Gallery of Art in D.C.

Next week we’ll start tackling clues from the third chapter of TH7, New Zealand. If there is a particular clue that you would like to see addressed here, please leave a comment. In the meantime, I wish everyone the best of luck with the first Phase I drawing…I’ll be speaking with winners this Friday!

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“Hey, this is not a test!”

Welcome back Treasure Hunters! Can you believe it’s already February? In less than two weeks we will be drawing the first two Phase I winners of TH7. All school and youth group participants who submit correct answers to Chapter 1, Taiwan, or Chapter 2, Military Movies, will be eligible to win. This week, we’ll take a closer look at a clue from Chapter 2, Military Movies:

6. Comedian Robin Williams received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of this real-life Armed Forces Radio service disc-jockey in the movie Good Morning Vietnam.

First, let me state that I am not suggesting that your school or youth group watch an R rated film. There are plenty of resources available to research the question without actually viewing the movie. So, let’s look at some additional facts about the real-life man that we’re trying to identify:

** His broadcasting career began at the young age of 12 with the DuMont Television Network in Pittsburgh, PA

** He served as special assistant to the director of the POW/MIA office

** He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Institute

Of course the movie character was just that…a character loosely based on the real-life person. I know that during my research of this clue I learned a lot about this patriotic man and his continued dedication to both our nation and his fellow veterans. I hope that your journey through TH7 brings you both entertainment and education.

If there are any particular clues that are giving you grief, don’t hesitate to ask for help. I know the deadline is approaching, but there is still time to register your school or youth group. Past winners include classrooms from public, private, and homeschools, as well as youth groups including after school programs and clubs. Participating in ThanksUSA’s Treasure Hunt Seven is a fun way to help your students learn to work together and share ideas while learning. Best of Luck!

 

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Grab Some Popcorn!

The Killer Angels (original cover art)

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Welcome back Treasure Hunters! This week we’re going to shift our focus to the second chapter of ThanksUSA’s Treasure Hunt 7, Military Movies. I know that many of our school-aged participants may be a bit young to actually watch some of the material covered in chapter two, but I’m sure that their group leaders, teachers, and parents can help them solve this chapter without viewing the films. Let’s get some hints for solving one of our great clues from Chapter 2, Military Movies:

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8. The 1993 film Gettysburg focuses on battle events as seen through the eyes of prominent members of Union and Confederate armies. The film was based on this author’s book, The Killer Angels.

I know, I know…the chapter is Military Movies and we want you to find the author of a book. Personally, I think you should always read the book before seeing the movie, but here are some additional clues for this question:

** Though awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975, The Killer Angels has originally been rejected by 15 publishers

** This author’s son established an annual literary award in his honor that recognizes ‘Excellence in Civil Fiction’

** At various times, The Killer Angels has been required reading at many military academic institutions

** The author’s final novel, For Love of the Game, was published posthumously and also made it to the big screen

The first Phase I deadline for TH7 is February 16th. All school/youth group participants who submit correct answers for Chapter 1, Taiwan, or Chapter 2, Military Movies, will qualify for the first prize drawing.

We’ll continue to focus our attention on Military Movies leading up to our first deadline. But…if you ever need assistance with any of the TH7 clues, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send a direct email to sherrykoch@thanksusa.org Good Hunting!!

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The Influence of a Great President

Sun Yat-sen (Wikimedia Commons)

Welcome back Treasure Hunters! The purpose of this blog is to help you complete TH7 so if you’re having difficulty with a specific clue, please let me know so we can address it here. Don’t be afraid to ask for some additional hints…we want everyone to complete the hunt and be eligible for prizes. This week we’ll continue with some helpful hints for completing TH7 Chapter 1, Taiwan: 

9. Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the nationalist party, summarized his political philosophy to make China a prosperous country in the Three Principles of the People. The components of this philosophy are Minzu (nationalism), Minquan (democracy) and Minsheng (socialism). This ideology is said to be heavily influenced by a speech by an American President?

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When approaching this clue, I think it’s important to establish a time reference. Sun Yat-sen was born in 1866 and first presented Three Principles of the People in the early 1900’s. Given this time period, we must be looking for a famous speech given by a U.S. President prior to 1900. Yes, that still leaves 25 possible U.S. Presidents, but not all of them made such memorable speeches! Here are a few hints to help you solve this clue:

** The last line of this speech can most easily be seen as the influence of Three Principles of the People

** The speech was given during the dedication of a cemetery

** The presenter of this speech was assassinated one year before Sun Yat-sen’s birth

** Most American elementary school children can recite at least part of this famous speech

I think this is a great clue for students to research and learn from. Once you’ve answered this question, challenge yourself! Discover the influences to that speech or try to recite as much of it as you can from memory. We know you want to get through TH7, but we want you to take the time to enjoy, and learn from, the clues.

Since the first TH7 deadline for schools and youth groups is approaching, we’ll look at one final (and very fun) clue from Chapter 1, Taiwan:

14.  “Google Doodles” on the Google search engine have shown key developments since 1998; portraying world events, celebrating big birthdays and decorating for holidays. On July 19, 2011 Google published a doodle to honor Xu Beihong’s 116^th birthday. Beihong was a famous oil painting or shuimohua artist who combined brush and ink techniques to create his well-known works of art. What was the main focus of his Google Doodle? (Hint: it is one of his most famous pieces of art!)

Although you’re likely to find the answer to this clue on your own, I wanted to share the Google Doodles catalog with you. You can click here or copy this link: http://www.google.com/doodles/finder/2012/All%20doodles to search Google’s entire collection of Doodles. Have fun and Good Hunting!

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Exploring Taiwan in the Year of the Dragon

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Our sincerest thanks to all Treasure Hunt participants who are encouraging friends and family to register for TH7. Since the first Phase I deadline is only a month away, we encourage you to share the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt with your schools and youth groups – by completing just one chapter, they could win a gift certificate to purchase supplies!

Although TH7 can be challenging, we want everyone to complete the entire hunt. This week, we offer some additional clues to a question in Chapter 1, Taiwan:

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6.  In the United States, the Freer and Sackler Library is a Smithsonian museum of Asian Art. It was founded with 4,000 pieces of written material regarding the history or cultivation of all forms of Asian art including architecture, painting, books, photography and the like. The Library now boasts a collection with 86,000 volumes of information. Where would you go in Taiwan to see a collection that is several times larger?

So…we are looking for a large museum or library in Taiwan. Once you start looking, you’ll discover that there are several museums and libraries in Taiwan…which contains the largest collection?  Here are few additional hints to make sure you discover the answer to this clue:

** The physical construction of the new building was completed in the Shilin District in 1965

** The collection includes a rare edition of the book Erh-Ya and a Neolithic era Jade Ts’ung

** There is an admission price of 160 New Taiwan Dollars to see the collection…about $5.34 U.S.

** Although this is a national treasure of Taiwan, leave the word “National” our of your answer

Once you solve this clue, I encourage you to visit the website of this Taiwanese treasure where you can explore it virtually…in several languages including English!  Remember, this blog is here to help you unlock all the treasures of TH7. If there is a particular clue that you would like to see addressed, please leave a comment on this blog or send me a direct email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org. Good Hunting!!

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Treasure Hunt 7

As we welcome 2012, it’s time to unlock those Treasure Hunt 7 treasures. I know that many of our past participants have been on the hunt since Thanksgiving, but I want to remind all of our school and youth groups that the first entry deadline is approaching. All school and youth registrants who submit correct answers for chapters one and/or two will be eligible for the Feb. 16th prize drawing.

This blog is here to help you get through TH7. Since our first chapter focuses on Taiwan, I’ll start this blog series by providing some great research tools:

Taiwan as seen by NASA's Terra Satellite

CIA World Factbook

U.S. Department of State

Taiwan Embassy

Taiwan Tourism

For the next few weeks, we’ll use this blog to offer additional help and hints for completing the Chapter 1, Taiwan. If there is a specific clue that you would like to see addressed, please leave a comment or email me directly at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org.

Best of luck and please be sure to encourage your friends and family to register and play!

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Treasure Hunt Seven is Here!!

As you work through those delicious leftovers, gather your family around the computer and start tackling TH7! Better yet, make it a family competition…split into teams and see who can complete a chapter first. But don’t rush – individuals have until August 15, 2012 to complete TH7. For school and youth groups, the first deadline (for chapters 1 and 2) is February 16, 2012.

You may have noticed that we’re reaching beyond our borders this years. Yes, we’re going to be learning about some foreign countries! This might make TH7 a bit more challenging than Treasure Hunts of the past, so if you need assistance, let me know. We’ve designed TH7 to be challenging, but we also want you to have fun. If you ever get really stuck, just leave a comment on this blog or email me directly (sherrykoch@thanksusa.org) for some extra help. We want everyone who registers to complete at least one chapter to be eligible for prizes.

Good luck and be sure to tell your family, friends, and coworkers about TH7!

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Get Ready for Treasure Hunt 7!!

ThanksUSA Launches 7^th Annual Online Treasure Hunt to Aid Military Families

Partnership with the ESA Foundation to Generate Donations for Scholarship Fund

 

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – ThanksUSA and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation will unveil Treasure Hunt Seven, a free online and fully interactive trivia and puzzle game about American history, culture and values, on Thanksgiving morning, both organizations announced today. The Treasure Hunt series, now in its seventh year, serves to generate attention and donations for ThanksUSA’s annual scholarship fund to benefit the children and spouses of active-duty military personnel.

 

The ESAFoundation, the charitable arm of the ESA, will sponsor Treasure Hunt Seven as part of a new three-year partnership with ThanksUSA that also includes support for 20 scholarships each year. The ESA Foundation began sponsoring the annual Treasure Hunt series in 2008 and aims to increase the number of scholarships available to military families.

 

“Treasure Hunt Seven highlights how we can work together to make learning interactive and fun. We are pleased to support this creative initiative to bring American history to life for students and families,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA. ”We look forward to working with ThanksUSA in the coming year to continue offering scholarships for children of active-duty military personnel as an expression of our gratitude to America’s servicemen and women.”

 

This year’s treasure hunt focuses on the fascinating histories of some of America’s international allies: Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia and Peru. Treasure Hunt Seven will officially launch on November 24, 2011, Thanksgiving morning.  Once the game ends on August 15, 2012, ThanksUSA will award prizes, including gift certificates, to the winner of each game “chapter.” Contestants can access the game at www.ThanksUSA.org.

 

“Through The ESA Foundation’s continued support, we plan to award 500 scholarships to the families of America’s armed forces next year,” said ThanksUSA Executive Director Michele Stork. ThanksUSA has awarded nearly $7.5 million in scholarships to 2,500 families across all 50 states and the District of Columbia and to all branches of the armed services.

 

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 About ThanksUSA

Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides need-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

 

 

 About the ESA Foundation

The ESA Foundation was created by the American interactive entertainment software industry to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from its limited edition charity game pack’s sales and its annual fundraiser, “A Nite to Unite – for Kids,” which together have raised more than $11 million in the last 10 years. For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit www.theESA.com/foundation

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And The Winner Is…

Thank you to everyone who participated in ThanksUSA’s Summer Stories. Congratulations are in order for the Summer Stories Grand Prize Winner, Valerie Zwirn! Valerie’s name was drawn from all entrants who correctly answered each of the ten weekly groups of Summer Stories clues. As the winning entrant, Valerie will be able to enjoy the works of her favorite authors on her Kindle.

Valerie Zwirn

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“Thank you to ThanksUSA for the opportunity to participate in “The Hunt” each year. It has been an enjoyable experience as well as a learning experience. I look forward to experimenting with my new Kindle. Can’t wait for this year’s Hunt. Thanks again.”

-Valerie Zwirn

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Before we leave Summer Stories, I want to give special recognition to Jamie Smith. Throughout the summer, Jamie drew inspiration from Summer Stories and often left comments about discovering new literature and interesting facts about authors. Thanks, Jamie!

“Another great author that I knew nothing about until now. Thanks for helping me to learn about famous authors and their dedication to their families and their writing!”  – Jamie Smith

Important Reminder: Individual chapter and grand prize winners of Treasure Hunt Six will be drawn at the end of September. Please take a moment to login and verify your contact information…we need to be able to reach you if you win!

 

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Summer Stories Final Deadline

This is it Treasure Hunters…the final deadline for Summer Stories is tonight. One winner will be drawn from the correct Week 10 entries and 1 lucky participant will win the Summer Stories grand prize – a Kindle! Remember, you can revisit the clues from previous weeks in order to qualify for the grand prize, so login and submit your answers now!

Congratulations to our Week 9 winner, Daphne Leigh who says, “I have been playing ThanksUSA for so long I can’t even remember when I started.  It’s a fun way to learn about our history and a  challenge to what I remember and what I have to seek out each week.”

Daphne Leigh and her beautiful family

Thanks for playing Daphne! Good luck to you and all of our TH6 and Summer Stories participants. All players, please take a moment to verify the contact information in your profile…if you win a prize, I need to be able to reach you!!

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TH6 Deadlines Approaching!!

Attention ThanksUSA Treasure Hunters!! August is here and that means that the final deadlines of TH6 are approaching fast. The final Phase II deadline for each of the original seven Treasure Hunt Six chapters is August 15th. Individual participants who submit correct entries to any of the original seven chapters will be eligible to win a laptop computer. Participants who submit the correct answers to all seven chapters will be eligible for the grand prize – real treasure valued at $10,000!

We’ve also been hosting a special summer bonus to TH6 titled Summer Stories. Each week, a set of three questions is posted about a great American author. Submit the correct answers to the weekly questions and you could win a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Participants who submit correct answers for all ten weekly Summer Stories clue sets will be eligible to win the Summer Stories grand prize – a Kindle!

Congratulations to our latest Summer Stories Weekly Winner, Jack Bauer! Jack says, “I am delighted to have been chosen as a winner in the ThanksUSA contest and I am honored to contribute to such a worthy cause. I myself am an Army Veteran so this really touches home with me.” Thank you for the kind words, Jack, and thank you for your service!

Another special shout-out to Jamie Smith who is having fun with Summer Stories: “I am really enjoying these Summer Stories! Another great author that I knew nothing about until now. Thanks for helping me to learn about famous authors and their dedication to their families and their writing!” So glad you’re enjoying Summer Stories, Jamie!

There are still plenty of chances to win a Treasure Hunt Six prize this year! Here are the important deadline dates to remember:

Summer Stories Week 9 Deadline:  Saturday, August 13

Treasure Hunt Six Chapters 1-7 Deadline:  Monday, August 15

Treasure Hunt Six Grand Prize:  Monday, August 15

Summer Stories Week 10 Deadline:  Saturday, August 20

Summer Stories Grand Prize Deadline:  Saturday, August 20

                                                  GOOD LUCK!! 

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Summer Stories

Welcome Treasure Hunters! It has been a busy summer and we are half way through Summer Stories. Just so I don’t leave anyone out, here are our Summer Stories winners so far:

Week 1: Arlene from TX
Week 2: Susan from PA
Week 3: Mia from NY
Week 4: Michael from ID
Week 5: Annie from AZ

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Each weekly winner wins a $25 Amazon gift card and the grand prize winner will win a Kindle! Did you miss a week of clues? You can login and answer the clues to previous weeks in order to qualify for the grand prize. You still have a few days to complete the set of Week 6 clues about adventurous spirit, Jack London.  Good Luck!

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Summer Stories

!! Announcing Summer Stories !!

Do you remember the first story that fueled your dreams and made your imagination run wild? Did you actually enjoy some of the “required reading” during your primary school years? Do you like passing along your favorite novels, tall tales and poems to your friends and family? Then join ThanksUSA for Summer Stories — this year’s summer bonus on the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt!

Each Sunday, ThanksUSA will post a group of three Summer Stories clues with a common theme. Submit the correct answers to each of the three clues by the following Saturday to be eligible for prizes. Each week, one entry will win a $25 Amazon gift card. There will be a total of 10 weekly clues. Participants who submit correct answers to all 10 clues will be eligible to win the Summer Stories Grand Prize…a Kindle!

During Summer Stories, you’ll also be encouraged to:
* Tell us your thoughts on the week’s featured author
* Recommend a favorite book, author, or genre
* Write your own short story

When you login to Summer Stories, you will see a feedback box.  We want you to share your thoughts, stories, and recommendations.  The best feedback will be featured on the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt blog, shared with our Facebook friends, and tweeted to our Twitter followers! As always, you can still leave comments here on the blog or add comments to our Facebook feed. Good luck and enjoy the weekly challenge of Summer Stories!!

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Treasure Hunt Six

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Congratulations to the Phase I Chapter 6 winners of Treasure Hunt Six: 9th grade Global Awareness students from Union County Early College High School! Each year, teacher Melissa Cook challenges her students to complete the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt. Though the students and subject matter may change, Melissa’s guidance seems to be paying off…students from Union County Early College High School have won a prize in each of the past five ThanksUSA Treasure Hunts! This year’s students have won a $1000 Barnes & Noble gift card to purchase supplies for their school. Mrs. Cook says, “Thanks again for a great treasure hunt! Students look forward to playing and it is an excellent opportunity to teach them more about our troops.” Thank you, Mrs. Cook, for making the ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt such an exciting supplement to your curriculum and congratulations again!

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Treasure Hunt Six

Congratulations to all Treasure Hunt Six, Phase I winners! Yes, all winners have been confirmed. Our sincerest appreciation to all k-12 school and youth group participants for taking on the challenge of Treasure Hunt Six! Teachers and youth leaders, please remind your students that they can also register to complete TH6 as an individual. The Phase II deadline for individual players is August 15th, 2011.

Kathleen Guillory & Carol Hathaway

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Congratulations to the TH6, Chapter 5 winner, Guillory Homeschool! Lead teacher, Carol Hathaway, actually won the Grand Prize of TH3 in 2008. She has encouraged her daughter (and homeschool student), Kathleen Guillory, to complete the Treasure Hunt each year as a compliment to her academic studies.

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“First off, we want to say Thank You to ThanksUSA for giving us the opportunity to play such a great learning & challenging game every year! As a former grand Prize winner (2008) I am so amazed that my daughter, Kathleen, also gets to share in the great feeling that comes from winning! We have plans to buy a new laptop for her & some other items she will need as she transitions to College life. This is the best Graduation Present she could have ever earned on her own, Thank You Again!” – Carol Hathaway, Guillory Homeschool

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Treasure Hunt Six

We would like to thank all of the schools and youth groups who participated in Phase I of Treasure Hunt Six. Hopefully your school or youth group had a lot of fun while discovering some cool facts about American history. The final three winners have been randomly selected and their entries are being verified now. Remember, even if your school or youth group won a prize during Phase I, students and teachers can register to play as an individual. If you are 14 or younger, you will need permission from your parent/guardian.

I also wish to extend a special welcome to all of our new Treasure Hunt Six registrants. Many of you saw ThanksUSA founders, Rachel and Kelsi Okun, on Thursday’s episode of Today and were inspired enough to visit our website and learn about ThanksUSA – Welcome!

The entry deadline for individual players is August 15, 2011. If you ever get stumped by a clue or need some additional hints or direction, leave a comment on the Treasure Hunt Six blog or send me a direct email at sherrykoch@thanksusa.org. Good luck to all and visit next week to learn about our most recent winners!

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