Senator Hoffmann's 

Civil Rights Connection 

PO Box 6070 

Syracuse, NY 13217-6070 

March 23, 2006 

Dear Principal:                                      

re: 2006 CIVIL RIGHTS CONNECTION

It gives me great pleasure to report that the Rosamond Gifford Foundation, M & T Bank, Ferris Industries, and other civic-minded friends provided the funding needed which allowed The Civil Rights Connection to conduct our annual program last year.  We are still raising funds for our 2006 program, but I anticipate that we will be able to offer this unique learning opportunity again.

Please take a look at our web page, www.civilrightsconnection.org  to learn more about the mission of the program, and see some of the students’ own entries about their experiences with civil rights pioneers in Mississippi, Louisiana, and other parts of the South.  The Civil Rights Connection is one of the most effective ways to spread the lessons of non-violence and self-determination.   Parents and teachers report that the trip has been a life-changing experience for their students, and one which helped immeasurably in shaping their academic lives.  

I would like to invite your school to nominate up to four high school juniors for this year’s Civil Rights Connection.  It is likely, however, than only one or two students from your school will be selected as 2006 Civil Rights Connection scholars.  

Students and chaperones will leave Syracuse on May 27 or 28, and return on June 4.

Selection of students will be based on information from the nomination form, a student essay, a personal interview, and a group interview.  

Please note the following: 

1. Completed forms and essays are due at the Orientation Session on April 26.

1. Each nominee must write an essay on one of the following topics: 

"Who is the Civil Rights Leader You Most Admire? How Do You Apply the Lessons of His/Her Life to Your Own?" 

or 

"You Can Kill a Man, but You Can't Kill an Idea." (The Student's Reflections on this quote from Medgar Evers.) 

This year the program will be a little different than in past years.  We always have a Service Project, but this year we will be on the Gulf Coast for Katrina clean-up project. It will be hard work, in a hot climate, for two solid days.  It will be more strenuous than past years’ Service Projects (which are usually half days for 2 days, or just one day).  Good health and an enthusiastic attitude are essential.

Our time on the coast will be spent in a tent city (3 nights) operated by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program, www.pcusa.org/katrina.

In past years all of the expenses for the trip were covered by The Civil Rights Connection.  This year students will be required to provide $200. toward the cost of the trip.  In some cases, this may be waived due to hardship. All information on a waiver will be kept confidential.  The $200.  will be due at the trip briefing on May 11.

In past years, students were required to mail their essays prior to the first orientation session.  This year that requirement has been changed.   Students must bring their essays to the Orientation Session on April 26.  

•  April  26, 2006   7 pm,  at Nottingham High School Cafeteria, Meadowbrook Road in Syracuse.   Orientation Session (required) for nominated students.  Students will participate in a group interview at this time and receive their first briefing on the trip. All students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Essay required for admission.

•  Personal Interviews are required and will be scheduled for the week of May 01.   During the      Orientation Session students will be required to sign up for an interview time.

• May 11, 2006  7 pm,  Trip Briefing Session,  at Nottingham High Cafeteria.  Students who have been selected as Civil Rights Connection Scholars, or alternates, must attend.  
  A parent or legal guardian must be present.  Medical Forms must be turned in at this session.

I look forward to meeting your school's nominated students. If you have any questions please call my Syracuse office at 315-478-0690. 

 Sincerely,

Nancy Larraine Hoffmann 

Founder and CEO 

Senator Hoffmann's Civil Rights Connection