WHAT PEOPLE SAY
The testimonies presented below are just a few of the many statements that have been made by people who have attended one or more Black Saga Competitions. They show the strong and varied support the Black Saga Competition generates.
"The Black Saga Competition is more than a competition: It is a process for families to share knowledge over the dinner table, a scholarly academic endeavor, and a unifying entity that brings students and families of different races together to work toward a common goal. I have participated in the Black Saga Competition for the past three years, and it has been a life enriching experience for my students and their families. The Black Saga Competition should be in every school in America."
Mr. Shawn Joseph, Assistant Principal, Redland Middle School, Montgomery County, MD
"What you're doing is so important because it's impossible to know American history, if you don't know the history of all Americans. So I thank you all for taking part in this great event, and I congratulate you because each of you has already won. You're raising the bar for yourselves, but really, you're raising it for all of us. And there is no greater accomplishment than that."
Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Superintendent, Maryland State Department of Education
"Black Saga is the perfect vehicle for promoting teamwork and enhancing study skills while learning about the contributions of African Americans in a fun environment."
Diane Stephenson, Counselor, Jeffers Hill Elementary School, Howard County, MD
"If there's something I don't know, my dad will tell me because he really loves history. But sometimes there's stuff that I know that even my father didn't know."
Ronald Walker, Student at Drew-Freeman Middle School, Prince George's County, MD
"This competition really captivates the kids. Many girls are naturally interested in social studies, but with the way it's been designed to be fun--even the boys who might otherwise only be interested in sports want to be involved." Brenda J. Davis, Reading Teacher and Black Saga Coordinator, Drew Freeman Middle School, Prince George's County, MD.
"For more than a decade, we have supported the Competition because it works. Geography is central to children knowing the African American experience as part of American history."
Sari J. Bennett, Coordinator, Maryland Geographic Alliance, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
"The Competition is clearly a most valuable learning experience for the students, not to mention their parents and friends. It is also in the fullest sense a celebration of diversity."
John Townshend, Chairman, Department of Geography, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
"I am thrilled with the wonderful participation and success by Baltimore County teams after we instituted our own county-wide competition. We had widespread support for the county [Black Saga ] competition from our school and community leaders. Following our county competition, the students realized they had to sharpen their skills and intensify their study to achieve success at the state competition level. They did and they won! We wish all of our children could participate in the Competition. It provides so many benefits for our students, teachers, and parents."
Barbara Yingling, Supervisor, Elementary Social Studies, Baltimore County, MD
"Black Saga was a captivating experience. It helped my students bond and build an untouchable academic confidence. Being part of this program has been uplifting and unforgettable. I can't wait for next year."
Heather McKeown, Matthew Henson Middle School, Charles County, MD
"The Competition is an excellent way to learn about the African American experience in an exciting and fun-filled educational environment. It's a wonderful way to enrich young students' intellectual abilities, social skills, and competitive appetites.
The Black Saga Awards Ceremony is the "icing on the cake" for the winners, parents, teachers, and supporters of this wonderful event. You truly get to see the outstanding results from all the hard work and efforts put into the Competition throughout the school year. I encourage everyone to be a part of the Black Saga Competition and its awards banquet at some stage. Believe me, it's worth the investment!"
Connie Master, Former Black Saga Parent and Current Volunteer
"I have witnessed the benefits of teamwork, parental involvement, and student achievement in the preparation of our fourth and fifth graders." Rosemary Biggart, Principal, Arnold Elementary School, Anne Arundel County, MD.
"It is so rewarding to see Black Saga participants work so well together--a real team effort--a winning combination."
Ronald Robeson, Ph.D., Volunteer, Anne Arundel County, MD
"Baltimore County Public Schools and the social studies offices will continue to support the Black Saga Competition as we move into our fifty year of the program. We recognize the benefits to our students of academic excellence, cultural understandings, and commitment to teamwork."
Barbara Yingling, Coordinator of Elementary Social Studies, Baltimore County, MD
"We are glad to support the Black Saga Competition, but more specifically, we see Montgomery Community College helping to influence and change the lives of young people by opening up the vast opportunities provide by education. We are delighted to partner with the Black Saga Competition to offer college scholarships to winners of the Black Saga Competition. We join the Competition in an effort to mold and build leaders of tomorrow. We strongly support the goals of the Competition."
Robert Cephas, Chief of Staff, Montgomery Community College, Rockville, MD
"Coppin State University is excited to host and make Black Saga its home. Black Saga is a testament to academic excellence and we embrace it as part of our Urban Education Corridor Initiative. As President, we will support the expansion of the Competition and the sharing of it with other institutions around the country. Again, we are excited and pleased to have Black Saga in our home."
Stanley F. Battle, Ph.D., President, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD