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Homeschool Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Event Review
Posted 3/8/2010
Homeschool Day at the Capitol hosted by AFHE on Tuesday, March 2 was a huge success! With over 1,000 people in attendance on a beautiful spring day, we enjoyed special presentations by homeschooled students, heard from several legislators, and enjoyed a picnic lunch together on the lawn. The highlight of the day was when Governor Jan Brewer addressed the crowd and declared March 1-5, 2010 Homeschool Week in Arizona.
Families received a packet at check in that included the event program, the spring 2010 Arizona Home Education Journal magazine, AFHE's newly redesigned FAQ brochure, and some information from downtown area museums offering discounts that afternoon to homeschool families. In addition, each child received a small American flag, plus Homeschool Day at the Capitol buttons were available for purchase for $1 each.
The event opened with a Color Guard presented by homeschooled students from Boy Scout Troop and Pack 7. Participating in the Color Guard were Boy Scout Troop 7 members Sean Callahan, Joshua Ekstrom, Micael Ekstrom, Wesley Goldenetz, William Goldenetz, and Richard Hockley; and Boy Scout Pack 7 members Wyatt Hockley and Matthew Orvis.
Jon Callahan, AFHE board member, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the day. After leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of "The Star Spangled Banner," Jon welcomed AFHE President, Keith Shippy, and AFHE Legislative Liaison, Carol Shippy to the podium. Keith and Carol welcomed the crowd and Keith opened the day in prayer.
Spotlight Theater Ministries, run by Barbara Worman for homeschooled students in the East Valley, presented a delightful skit about the history of our nation's flag. The skit starred Aislynne Black (as Judy), Derek Blomquist (as Stephen Williams), Michaela Blomquist (as Carol), Jenny Flavin (as Pam), and Jonathan Monk (as the Soda Jerk).
Families stood and joined together in singing several patriotic songs together ... "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "America the Beautiful," and "God Bless America." Gregory Monk, homeschooled teen from Gilbert, gave a well-delivered speech about freedom and home education.
In conjunction with Homeschool Day at the Capitol, AFHE hosted its first Poetry Contest for homeschooled students. The theme was Freedom. The first and second place winners from each age category were invited to read their poems aloud to the Capitol Day audience. 29 poems were submitted for the contest. All of the students who entered a poem that were present were asked to stand and were applauded for their participation. Read the Poems
This portion of the program concluded with a Reader's Theater performed by homeschooled students from the West Valley. Brothers Zach and Aaron Phillips, and sisters Natalie, Emily, and Christine Ward reminded us of the passion and resolve of the writers of the Declaration of Independence with their presentation.
Carol Shippy then shared some great highlights about our freedom to educate our children at home before introducing Karla Phillips, Governor Brewer's Policy Advisor on Education. The audience greeted Governor Brewer with a round of applause and a sea of flags waved in the air by the children.
Governor Brewer gave an upbeat and well-received speech about the value of home education. She concluded by delivering the following Homeschool Week Proclamation to a standing ovation by the crowd of homeschooling parents and children.
Office of the Governor
HOMESCHOOL WEEK PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, many Arizona parents choose to homeschool their children sacrificing their time and talent to provide for their children's educational needs, including academic, fine arts, social, and extra-curricular needs, at their own expense; and
WHEREAS, homeschooled children work diligently to learn their lessons, honor their authorities, and fully participate in their education; and
WHEREAS, the State of Arizona benefits from homeschooled students' achievements at the collegiate and post-graduate levels as well as through their contributions to the workforce in a wide variety of professional fields; and
WHEREAS, homeschooling has been enjoying a resurgence in our state since the mid-1980's and today over 25,000 students are homeschooled by their parents or legal guardians; and
WHEREAS, our great state has historically supported homeschooling and a number of our early state leaders were homeschooled such as Governor Safford, Sharlot Hall, and Senator Henry Fountain Ashurst.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janice K. Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim March 1-5, 2010 as HOMESCHOOL WEEK.
Closing out the program, we heard from Speaker of the House Kirk Adams (who is also a new homeschool father), Senator John Huppenthal (Chairman of the Senate Education Committee), Representative Rich Crandall (Chairman of the House Education Committee), and Don Covey (Maricopa County School Superintendent).
The event ended with a picnic lunch on the lawn.
Tuesday, March 2 was a day of celebrating freedom and home education in the great state of Arizona!
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