159 Schools!

As of November 15, 2007, our deadline for registration, we are pleased to announce that 159 schools are participating in the Black Saga Competition this year. Geographically, these schools are located in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Talbot Counties and Baltimore City. Many schools have studied the Black Saga questions since October and are excited about what they are learning. Thank you for registering for the Competition. . .and good luck to your teams.

Baltimore County Ranks First in Participation

Baltimore County has continued to represent the largest number of schools in the Black Saga Competition. This year, as many as 60 schools from the County are participating and they are eager to repeat their success among Top Ten teams last year. The countywide Black Saga Competition will take place at Randallstown High School on February 4, 2008. This will be the Baltimore County's fourth annual countywide Black Saga Competition.

Dr. Hairston, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, and his immediate staff are expected to attend. We thank Dr. Barbara Dezmon, Office of Equity and Assurance, for her continued support. Baltimore County's Office of Social Studies, Office of Elementary Education, school principals and teachers, and parents and their children have done a wonderful job in making their county number one in Black Saga participation.

All Charles County Middle Schools Participating

We offer our sincere appreciation to Dr. James Richmond, Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools, for encouraging his schools to participate in the Black Saga Competition. This year, all county middle schools will be participating in the Competition-a first for the Black Saga Competition.

Howard County Educator Gives Books to Top Ten Winners

Top Ten Teams in both the elementary and middle school finals of the 2007-2008 Black Saga Competition will receive a special gift this year, rewarding their hard work.

Dorchester County Teacher Takes Challenge

Although only one school from Dorchester County registered for the Black Saga Competition, Dr. Christian is encouraged. Ms. Zuleita Jarmon, a teacher at Choptank Elementary, is expected to bring two teams to the state Black Saga Competition on March 15, 2008. Also, we extend a special thanks to Ms. Vickers, Social Studies Director, who is providing support for Ms. Jarmon and her students. Good luck to the first team from Dorchester County ever to compete.

Coppin State University: Home of Black Saga Competition

For the third year, Coppin State University has underwritten the major cost of the Black Saga Competition. Leadership of Coppin, including Acting President, Dr. Sadie Gregory, has provided support for the state finals, awards, and the Awards Banquet. Dr. Christian, Distinguished Professor at Coppin, is extremely grateful for Coppin's support.

Towson University Continues Support

Robert Caret, President of Towson University, continues to support the Black Saga Competition for a third year. In addition to being on hand each year to extend a warm welcome to the students, teachers, and parents attending the Black Saga Competition, he encourages student participants to began thinking of Towson University as their future home. This year, Towson University will again be the location of the Maryland State Black Saga Competition. In addition to being the host of the Competition, the university has offered excellent service to teacher coordinators, student, parents, and those conducting the Competition. Black Saga staff persons have continued to applaud the relationship they have established with Towson event personnel.

Howard County Community College Partners with Black Saga Competition

If you visit several schools in Howard County, particularly Patuxent Valley, you are likely to see a number of older students. These students attend Howard Community College and are in the schools as mentors. A special thanks is due to Mrs. Judith Cephas, a teacher at Patuxent Valley Middle School. Mrs. Cephas and Dr. Christian met with administrative leaders of Howard Community College to forge a partnership. Howard Community College agreed to provide "mentors" in selected schools. Mrs. Cephas has strongly supported the Black Saga Competition for more than a decade, and she has had a winning team in the Competition for at least seven of the ten years. Last year, one of her teams won the Middle School division of the Maryland State Championship and another team placed in the Top Ten.

Talks Continue with Community Colleges

Dr. Christian continues to discuss partnerships with the state's community colleges to offer scholarships to Black Saga State Competition Middle School winners. He believes strongly that partnerships such as these can be extremely important in guiding young people to become active participants in American society. His work focuses on encouraging colleges and corporations to provide mentors, scholarships, and other resources that would benefit students participating in the Black Saga Competition. More importantly, Dr. Christian believes parents and teachers should not overlook and should encourage early intervention in the lives of young students, including college educations.