First please allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Hollman and I am a Social Studies Teacher at Hilton Head High School. The newspaper program is a vital part of my instruction and curriculum. As such, they are integrated into everyday lessons, assignments, projects, etc. Two of the key and essential components of the education process at any level, and during any generation, have always been reading and writing. The newspaper program gives us as teachers the opportunity to further instill and promote those components.

As a government and economics teacher, the value of having up-to-the-minute news, happenings and headlines dealing with our economy, government and society is extremely beneficial to the education process. As an example, we are able to keep up with political races and platforms. The students can read about the issues and referendums involving legislation and the local economy. We are able to monitor such things as inflation, employment and interest rates. In economics, we have the students do a stock market project. The ability of having the quotes and data at their fingertips, along with the teachings of how to read and evaluate the financial sectors is without question beneficial.

As a debate instructor, the newspaper plays a vital role for open forums and dialogue pertaining to the issues of society. Social awareness is the primary component essential for the ability to debate the social issues. Published news is a great way to instigate the thought and speech process, as well as elicit one's opinion.

As a history teacher, I believe in making the point relevant to the students that "today's newspapers are tomorrow's history books." Since it is improbable to create a new history book each and every day, the newspapers are a valuable extension to our already published texts that we use in class. Thus allowing us to have a continuing text that is without end.

So many instrumental values does this program provide, that to take it away would be a step back in the education process. Please continue to help us move ahead with the education of our students, citizens and future workers and leaders of our society.

One of the many ways we use the newspaper in our Special Education classroom is to go on letter and number searches. This way the students realize that letters and numbers can be found everywhere. We use the weather page to count how many suns we see in the 5-day forecast.

Last but not least, we use the newspaper to locate advertisements of the places we visit and/or things we like to see. For example, we look for local children featured in the newspaper and our favorite restaurants. We like Kenny B's ad with the bulldog. We also have the kids find a certain comic strip and then read it out loud. Our favorite is Yak's Corner, we all love it! We all read the jokes, try the recipes and read the little stories; we even take the little surveys!

Thanks to all of the wonderful sponsors of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. It makes a big difference in this classroom every day.

Doug and Patricia Weaver, parents

My husband and I want to say a big "Thank You" to you and to all sponsors for encouraging and recognizing reading for our area's youth.

Our daughter, Lauren, always has a book in hand or nearby. With recreation sports, our son always seems to have a team party with recognition, awards and trophies common. In reading, very seldom is there a team party or recognition. Today, I thank you for allowing Lauren to have a team party and receive recognition for a job well done.

Kyle has dyslexia and avoids reading. Reading programs with points, competition and prizes motivates him. Your program is applauded by us for positively influencing all types of readers.