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Press Release September 28, 2008 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Director - Maj. Earl Johnson (USAF, Ret) Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963 Fax (201) 808-2642
Dear Friends of AIFCV:
We have two great announcements: On Friday, Sept 26, AIFCV was honored to accept a very generous donation of $10,000 from the estate of Lt. Col. Martin O. "MO" Detlie who passed away last July. The check was presented to AIFCV Director Earl Johnson at a special meeting of the Hampton Roads Military Order of the World Wars. Mrs. Wivi Detlie, "MO's" widow, presented the check and spoke briefly of her beloved husbands love of the MOWW and AIFCV.
The second item of news is that AIFCV, through BB&T, is now able to receive donations (tuitions and charitable contributions) by Credit Card at our Contribute webpage.
Press Release Mar 17, 2008 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Director - Maj. Earl Johnson (USAF, Ret) Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963 Fax (201) 808-2642
Dear Friends of AIFCV
It is with deep personal regret that
we decided to cancel our upcoming April 10-13 youth leadership
conference (YLC).
This is the first time we've had to
do so for lack of enough students to participate and cover
costs.
For those donors addressed in this
e-mail, we will refund your contribution, or we can hold it and
use it for our November YLC. Please let us know your preference
as soon as possible.
If you are a sponsor or counselor,
please notify the student(s) as soon as possible
Any student who applied is
automatically accepted for our November 13-16, 2008 YLC and we
will be contacting the student directly.
We wish you the best and hope you
will support us come November
Sincerely
Bill Townsley, Ass't Director
(Operations)
on behalf of Earl
Johnson, Director
Bcc: Donors, Sponsors, Counselors,
Teachers, AIFCV Staff, and Guest Speakers
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Press Release Dec 17, 2007 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Director - Maj. Earl Johnson (USAF, Ret) Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963 Fax (201) 808-2642 | ||||||||||||||||
| AIFCV had determined the need to increase tuition for its 2008 Youth Leadership Conferences to $300. This tuition includes all room and board, and conference materials, but not travel and incidentals. | ||||||||||||||||
Press Release Nov 19, 2007 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Director - Maj. Earl Johnson (USAF, Ret) Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963 Fax (201) 808-2642
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AIFCV's November 1-4 Youth Leadership Conference (YLC), affectionately called the "Walking to Jamestown" class is complete. There were 26 sophomores (10) or juniors (16) (11 male and 15 female) from 21 high schools and 6 States (CA, KY, NJ, NM, UT, and VA).
Day 1: The first speaker was, once again, the Honorable Phil Hamilton, 19 year Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly. The entire four days very much mirrored our previous YLCs, except this time we decided to save money and walk to Jamestown Settlement, a short 15 minutes away by foot. Delegate Hamilton was followed by Jamestowne Colony entrepreneur “John Rolfe, ” aka Richard Cheatham, descendant of the real John Rolfe and Pocahontas, and President of Living History Associates, LTD of Richmond. Jim Rice, LTC (USA, Ret), Adjunct Professor with University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, provided the class two appearances on his favorite topic, “Winning Colors,” which divides leadership into four fundamental categories with associated colors that allows for easier recognition of not only the student's personal leadership style, but also those of whomever he or she is dealing and any given scenario. The students were also provided preliminary instructions and charged with their enduring group challenges. The Investment Game, The Trump Tower and the National Anthem. (See below for details). Day 2: Richard Hill, Financial Specialist with Langley Federal Credit Union. These discussions were supplemented by an ongoing group investment challenge that pitted the student groups to earn the most entrepreneurial dollars possible. A new AIFCV speaker was Captain Glenn "Wolf" Gonzales, F-15 fighter pilot out of Langley AFB, VA. We also had Chaperone and Staff Sgt Crystal Harshbarger, an active duty Professional Military Educator from Langley AFB present the students with some practical time management techniques and basic leadership principles. Later in the morning, the students walked 15 minute Jamestown Settlement for a guided study tour. There, live actors used replicas to portray life as it was in the early 1600’s. When they got back to the 4-H, “Thomas Jefferson” was waiting to take the students on his historic journey via discussion. Thomas was followed by a Business and financial leadership presentation by Greg Richardson, Senior Partner with Goodman & Company, the largest Virginia-based CPA and business consulting firm. To top off the evening, Dr. Joe Emerson conducted his review of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
On Day 3, the students were treated to another guided study tour, this time it was the Yorktown Victory Center, where live actors using original and replicated facilities and equipment took the students back to the late 1700’s. That afternoon, following a box lunch at Colonial Williamsburg, the students toured many of the original buildings. There are 88 original buildings in and among Colonial Williamsburg’s 500 buildings. After dinner that evening, “General George Washington” stepped forth and provided the students an entertaining dissertation on his life and times. Before we went into the remaining Group Challenges, our “last night” favorite, we had another new AIFCV speaker, Mark Saunders, Director of the Independent Program Assessment Office, within the Program Assessment and Evaluation Directorate at NASA Headquarters. Mr. Saunders provided some interesting in-depth information regarding the Shuttle Discovery re-entry disintegration disaster and then provided leadership principles to apply to help thwart such disasters in the future.
Day 4: Ray Ferarra, a Criminal Justice Instructor for New Horizons Regional Education Center Woodside Lane, Newport News, VA provided us his rousing patriotic leadership program. He was followed by Prof. Jim Rice, following up with all the students on his “Winning Colors” evaluation theme. Finally, we had members of the National Sojourners, Inc. Langley- Monroe Chapter provide us their patriotic rendition of “Buildiong the Flag.” For information and pictures of this class, please go to www.aifcv.org/Nov2007.htm. For more information, see www.aifcv.org, or call 757-560-0963 or 478-7467.
Of the 26 students attending, the $250 tuition all but the 7 out of state students were known to have been paid for by a charitable organization. The 7 out-of-state students’ tuition was paid for either by their school or their parents through the school JROTC program. The local charitable organizations include; The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13 (2 students), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 824, three (3) Exchange Clubs, three (3) Chapters of the Military Order of the World Wars (total 8 students), the Williamsburg Chapter Military Order of the Purple Heart, and two (2) Chapters of the National Sojourners, Inc. At least eight (8) students signed up to take advantage of our unique opportunity to receive 2 elective college credits in citizenship sanctioned by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
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Press Release May 22, 2007 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Director - Maj. Earl Johnson (USAF, Ret) Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963 Fax (201) 808-2642 | ||||||||||||||||
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AIFCV's April 12-15, 2007 Youth Leadership Conference, which featured "The Jamestowne Anniversary” is over. This class consisted of 40 sophomores and juniors representing 30 high schools from 8 states; Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. On Thursday, the class was treated to Leadership in Government presentations by the Delegate Phil Hamilton of the Virginia General Assembly since 1988. He was followed by Colonial Entrepreneur “John Rolfe, ” aka Richard Cheatham. Jim Rice, LTC (USA, Ret), Adjunct Professor with University of Colorado at Colorado Springs provided a class two appearances on “Winning Colors..” On Friday, the students departed for a Historic Jamestowne guided study tour (GST), the actual location of America first permanent colony.. This was a particularly special tour on its 400th anniversary. This was followed by a tour of Jamestown Settlement, where live actors used replicas to portray life as it was in 1607. Later that afternoon, Dr. Ben Howerton, full professor and Director of Administration and Policy Studies with The George Washington University spoke on Leadership. Honorable Delegate Melanie Rapp, 96th District Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, Ray Ferarra, a Criminal Justice Instructor for New Horizons Regional Education Center Woodside Lane, Newport News, VA. Business and financial leadership presentations were given by Greg Richardson, Senior Partner with Goodman & Company, the largest Virginia-based CPA and business consulting firm, and Richard Hill, Financial Specialist with Langley Federal Credit Union. "George Washington," aka Kevin Grantz, and independent interpreter. The students were also treated to guided study tours of Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown Victory Center. The Langley-Monroe Chapter of the National Sojourners were not able to perform as usual due to stormy weather. Thirty-seven of the students’ $250 tuition were all provided by their school or, in most cases, local area charitable organizations in conjunction with their Youth Programs. The Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and several Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Exchange Clubs, the Air Force Association, chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Sojourners, Inc. At least 16 students signed up to take advantage of our unique opportunity to receive 2 elective college credits in citizenship sanctioned by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs by taking extra notes during classes and completing an essay on citizenship within 30 days after the conference.
GROUP ACTIVITIES: Students are broken in to groups of 5 from the first hours. They are selected for their group using 3 criteria – male and female balance to maximum extent possible, no 2 are from the same high school, and each group had at least one student from outside Virginia. From the first briefing, each group was given 2 long term assignments which will be included in the last nights challenge series. a.) Trump Tower – Briefly, to build an 11 inch one piece (non-modular) tower out of 4x6 index cards and staples that will hold a 5 pound brick for 5 seconds for less than $6000. Each card, each fold in a card, and each staple costs $100 each. (no bends allowed) They have from 1st night to last night to build. b.) Investment Game – Each group is given “$100,000” to invest over as many “years” as can be accomplished, in either a Savings Account, a CD, High medium, or low risk Stocks, or high, medium or low risk Mutual Funds, a franchised business, or a pillow case. A roll of 2 die determines the “years” gains or losses. We accomplished 7 years of play during the course of the conference.
Dr. Joe Emerson’s session breaks the students into our standard groups and asks each to devise an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or a Change of Law. Each group works up a briefing and presents it to the whole class, whereupon the whole votes on which is best to forward to their Congressional representative. (Each student is provided a listing of their personal Representative).
Mr. Greg Richardson breaks the students into groups to have them create a briefing on how to develop a business and what they, as a group, think are the important elements of a business, Mission, Goals, Attitudes etc.
The other Challenges we have are a.) “5 Square Puzzle” – While in Groups, 5 specially prepared packets of plastic puzzle pieces are randomly distributed to each group. The group, without talking or gesturing, must turn the various pieces in their packet into 5 equally sized squares. However, they may not “take” pieces from any other member, they may only give away pieces. b.) “Board Walk” - Each group is taken to a room where they are confronted with 7 specially arranged boxes, (4 inch high, 1 foot by 2 foot ) 2 2x6 walk boards, one 6 feet long, and one 8 feet long. The goal is to get the group with their walk boards from start to finish, crossing over all 7 boxes in the shortest time without touching the floor. The students are given time to devise a plan, and when they are ready, they say “Start” – and henceforth they are not allowed to speak during the EXECUTION of their PLAN. They have to start over if they speak or any member touches the floor. (Safety is emphasized and work gloves are used to prevent splinters.) The shortest time wins. c.) Citizenship and Colonial Trivia Test. – Each group is given these two tests, one per group, and each group submits one answer sheet. The Citizenship Test is compose of actual questions taken from the official bank of questions potential American citizens must take and pass to become citizens. d.) National Anthem Challenge – On hour 1, every student is given a copy of our National Anthem, 2 stanzas, and each Group is taken aside, where each individual in the group is graded on how correctly they can recite or sing the 1st stanza of our National Anthem. For extra credit, the Group selects at least one member to try and complete the 2nd stanza. e.) “Shipwrecked Raft” – Each group is required, in the shortest time, to all together stand on a 4inch high, 1 ft by 2 ft reinforced box for 1 continuous minute. At least one foot of each member must be touch the raft, i.e., no climbing on the biggest person. f.) “Double Helix” - Using 2 hula hoops. A group joins hands and without letting go must pass the 2 hula hoops in opposite directions around their circle 5 times in the fastest time. g.) “Tangled Mess” - The group faces each other and, in a specially controlled fashion, joins hands. They must then, in the shortest time possible, untangle themselves back into a circle – some face different directions sometimes.
Each Group is given points based on fastest time or highest or best score, 1 point for winner, 2 for 2nd place etc. At the closing ceremony, the Group with the lowest score overall is given a “Best Leadership Group” award commemorating their efforts. No points are given for the Constitution or Business group activities.
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Press Release Jan 4, 2007 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone (757) 560-0963
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| Bill Townsley, Founder and Director of
AIFCV since 2002, has resigned due to health. The new Director
is Maj. Earl Johnson, USAF (Ret). Earl has been assisting in
the planning and conduct of the last six Youth Leadership
Conferences. Our new Assistant Director is LTC Jim Rice, USA
(Ret). Jim is also an adjunct professor with the University of
Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) and has been teaching the
"Winning Colors" classes for two year or 4 conferences. These
classes are what prompted UCCS to allow elective college credits to
be earned by attending students. For more information, please
see www.aifcv.org or call Earl
Johnson at (757) 560-0963.
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Press Release November 20, 2006 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
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AIFCV's November 9-12, 2006 Youth Leadership Conference, which featured "The Veterans Day Class" is over. This class consisted of 25 sophomores and juniors representing 16 high schools from New Jersey, Oregon, and Virginia, and a Senior Counselor (a returnee) from New Hampshire. Just before the conference began, one of the students called and asked if it would be acceptable to wear their JROTC uniform on Veterans Day - the day we toured Colonial Williamsburg. We allowed that tribute, and had a special day remembering all veterans in various activities, including a moment of silence at the 11th hour. The class was treated to leadership presentations by the Honorable Gabe Morgan, Sheriff of Newport News, Virginia, the Honorable Melanie Rapp, 96th District Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, Adjunct Professor Jim Rice of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Ray Ferarra, a Criminal Justice Instructor for New Horizons Regional Education Center Woodside Lane, Newport News, VA, and Earl Johnson, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration in Norfolk, VA and one of our chaperones. Business and financial leadership presentations were given by Greg Richardson, Senior Partner with Goodman & Company, the largest Virginia-based CPA and business consulting firm, and Richard Hill, Financial Specialist with Langley Federal Credit Union. Historic leadership presentations were staged by "John Rolfe," aka Richard Cheatham, Living History Associates, Ltd,. of Richmond, and "George Washington," aka Kevin Grantz, and independent interpreter. The students were also treated to study guided tours of Historic Jamestowne, the Jamestown Settlement, and Colonial Williamsburg. The Langley-Monroe Chapter of the National Sojourners again performed their signature “Building the Flag,” a history of the American flag. The students’ $250 tuition were all provided by their school or, in 22 cases, local area charitable organizations in conjunction with their Youth Programs. The Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and several Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Exchange Clubs, the Air Force Association, two local chapters of the Military Order of the World Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Sojourners, Inc. Eight students elected to take advantage of our unique opportunity to receive 2 elective college credits in citizenship sanctioned by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs by taking extra notes during classes and completing an essay on citizenship within 30 days after the conference. For more pictures of this class, please go to www.aifcv.org/Nov2006.htm. For more information, see www.aifcv.org, or call 757-560-0963
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CMDR Everett "Red" Ryder, (USN, Ret) Perpetual Plaque and George Washington Award for Most Outstanding Leader Award Zachary A. Hall Thomas Jefferson Awards for Outstanding Leadership Kimberly C. Kola James B. Gordon, Jr. MOWW's Bronze Patrick Henry Medallion Awards for Leadership Benjamin W. Huffman Jessica A. Devine Superior Leader as Voted by His Peers - Zachary A. Hall AIFCV President's Leadership Recognition Award- Kelly N. Moon Shane M. Calvert AIFCV Chaperones Leadership Recognition Award Jose' F. Centeio and Tieara M. Daniels AIFCV Senior Counselors Leadership Recognition Award Alexandria L. Blom Best Leadership Group Award Jaimeson A. Hasty, Nathan R. Hayes, Kelly M. Moon, Erika B. Schueler, Zachary W. Thornton | ||||||||||||||||
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A PDF Format page with picture and names is available by clicking HERE | ||||||||||||||||
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Press Release (Corrected) April 11, 2006 Updated May 1, 2006 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
The AIFCV's April 6-9, 2006 Youth
Leadership Conference is over. We believe it was one of our best
conferences to-date. 46 high school sophomores and juniors
representing 34 high schools (plus one home schooled) and 10 States
(FL, KY, LA, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OK, TX, and VA).
MOWW Chapters represented include
VA- Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach & Roanoke, KY- Ft Knox
& Frankfort, OK- General Critz.
Other sponsoring organizations or
clubs include Exchange, Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled
American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, National
Sojourner's, and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
This conference class was nicknamed "The Awesome, All Friends Class,” as they seemed fast friends to the staff and to themselves about two hours after registration. Three of our students elected to receive elective college credits through a program with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The conferences are designed to provide the students four days of intense training (50% Leadership, 30% Patriotism, and 20% Free Enterprise System) through speakers, leadership challenges, and tours of sites in Virginia’s historic triangle--Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg. Our opening speaker was the Honorable G. Glenn Oder, member of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he serves on the committees of Transportation; General Laws; and County, Cities, and Towns. Other speakers included Professor Jim Rice (LTC, USA Ret), who spoke twice on “Winning Colors.” Joe Emerson, C-SPAN in the Classroom Champion Teacher and Workshop Facilitator, lead the students in a class on the US Constitution and The Bill of Rights. Greg Richardson (Lt Col, USAF, Ret), partner with Goodman & Company (one of the largest Virginia-based CPA and business-consulting firm) presented his insights on leadership in busniess.. We also had Ray Ferrara, a Criminal Justice Instructor for New Horizons Regional Education Center and former US Marine and Virginia Highway Patrol Officer In addition to this, students were treated to a program called “Building the Flag” by National Sojourners, Inc, colonial dressed members of the Hampton Roads Chapter #6 and Cape Henry Chapter #424 of Virginia Beach. Our historic leadership speakers were “Meriwether Lewis” of Lewis and Clark fame, “Frederick Douglas" slave, abolitionist, and orator. General George Washington” gave his accounts of Revolutionary War era leadership and life in early Virginia and America. He also agreed to stand for the class portrait. The students went on guided study tours of Historic Jamestowne, the first successful American colony, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Yorktown Battlefield, where American Independence was won. Complimenting the tours and classroom seminars, the students were presented with unique leadership challenges--puzzles, games, and tests to elicit greater understanding of some elements of leadership, patriotism, and the free enterprise system. The students were broken up into groups for the various leadership challenges, a favorite of which was a session on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Facilitated by Joe Emerson, the students were asked to discuss their understanding of our rights and obligations as citizens of these United States. Towards the end of the session, each group decides on a constitutional issue or amendment they think they might like to see occur or change, then write it down and prepare a group representative to speak to the whole class about their proposal. After each group representative speaks, the body of the whole then votes for the class’ best proposal. Virginia Representative Jo Ann Davis will be asked to provide her opinion of the class’ selected proposal, and this feedback will be provided to the students at a later date. Many of these students had their $250 tuition provided by the several MOWW Chapters, 2 Exchange Clubs, a Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter, 2 VFW Chapters, a Disabled American Veteran Chapter, a Kiwanis Club, a Vietnam Veterans of America, and an Air Force Association Chapter. Four adult chaperones and four returning high school seniors, called Senior Counselors, continually monitored, discussed, and evaluated the students’ leadership abilities and potential, and select students to receive awards. Awards included the overall “Most Outstanding Leader,” then a male and female “Outstanding Leader,” and a male and female “JROTC Outstanding Leader.” The students were also given the opportunity to select a “Superior Leader as voted by his or her Peers.” During the conference’s closing ceremony, the top awards were handed out and all the students were recognized with a completion certificate and a commemorative brass coin. The Most Outstanding Leader’s name will be engraved on a perpetual plaque called the “LCD Everett ‘Red’ Ryder, USN (Ret) Award,” in honor of his inspiration to form the American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia. LCD “Red” Ryder passed away November 25, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||
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Awardees: Most Outstanding Leader: Jay Pepper III, Pinkerton Academy, Chester, NH
Outstanding Leader (female):
Marci Dalton, Sebastian HS, Sebastian, FL
Outstanding Leader (male): Jeff
Adams, Bruton HS, Williamsburg, VA
Superior Leader as Selected
by Her Peers: Gwen Cheek, Tabb HS, Yorktown, VA
MOWW's Bronze Patrick Henry Medallion
(male): Ryan Borja, George Rogers Clark HS, Winchester, KY
MOWW's Bronze Patrick Henry Medallion
(female) Gwen Cheek, Tabb HS, Yorktown, VA
President's Honorable Mention -
Abby Benavides, WT White HS, Dallas, TX
Best Leadership Group
- Matt Blood -OK, Lacey Hall -MO, Emma Jones -VA, Zus Pascual -VA,
Michael Vaughn -KY
National Anthem Project Medallion Winning Group
- Ryan Borja -KY, Gwen Cheek -VA, Daniel Darlington - VA, Erin
French -NH, Misty Stevens -VA
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Press Release March 13, 2006 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
The AIFCV is getting ready for its eighth Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) to begin April 6, and run four days through April 9, 2006. Founded in 2002, we conduct two YLCs per year - in April and November. We are currently expecting 45 or more high school sophomore and junior students from not only Virginia, but also New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. Our YLCs are sanctioned by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, established under guidelines set forth by the Military Order of the World Wars, and affiliated with HOBY [The Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation], the National Sojourners, Inc, The Joe Foss Institute. Beginning November of 2005, we were accredited by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) to provide students the opportunity to earn 2 elective college credits just for attending our YLC. This portion of the program is headed by Jim Rice of Williamsburg, adjunct professor with UCCS. Various patriotic and charitable individuals and organizations, such as those listed above, plus Exchange and Ruritan Clubs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans, sponsor most of these students. The students are exposed to guided study tours of Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Battlefields. Also, business leaders, motivational leadership speakers, and historic leadership speakers. At this particular conference we will have "Captain John Paul Jones," "Frederick Douglass," and "General George Washington." Complimenting the tours and classroom seminars, the students are presented with unique leadership challenges--puzzles, games, and tests to elicit greater understanding of the elements of leadership, patriotism, and our free enterprise system. Contact for the AIFCV is President and Founder, Bill Townsley, Col (USAF, Ret) at btownsley@aifcv.org or 757-478-7467. For more information about the YLC's please see www.aifcv.org.
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Press Release Dec 20, 2005 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467 There is a slight change to the Elective College Credits the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. For our April 6-9, 2006 Youth Leadership Conference, students will be able to earn two (2) elective college credits in either Leadership or Citizenship. The post-YLC requirement for an essay is under review and that information will be printed as soon as possible. These credits are transferable. For further information, please contact Professor Jim Rice at 757-253-9124, or dricej@aifcv.org, or 100 Sharps Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185 | ||||||||||||||||
Press Release Nov 16, 2005 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
In November 2005, AIFCV completed its seventh four-day Youth Leadership Conference. We had 21 high school sophomores and juniors representing 6 States; (CA, NJ, NH, NC, UT, and VA). This conference was nicknamed "The College Class” in honor of our new elective credits program conducted in cooperation with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. This program is created under the auspices of the Military Order of the World Wars, a national veteran service organization. The conferences are designed to provide the students four days of intense training (50% Leadership, 30% Patriotism, and 20% Free Enterprise System) through speakers, leadership challenges, and tours of sites in Virginia’s historic triangle--Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg. Our opening speaker was the Honorable G. Glenn Oder, member of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he serves on the committees of Transportation; General Laws; and County, Cities, and Towns. Other speakers included Professor Jim Rice (LTC, USA Ret), who spoke twice on “Winning Colors.” Joe Emerson, C-SPAN in the Classroom Champion Teacher and Workshop Facilitator, lead the students in a class on the US Constitution and The Bill of Rights. Greg Richardson (Lt Col, USAF, Ret), partner with Goodman & Company (the largest Virginia-based CPA and business-consulting firm) presented. We also had Ray Ferrara, a Criminal Justice Instructor for New Horizons Regional Education Center and former US Marine and Virginia Highway Patrol Officer, and Robert “Tex” Turner (Col, USA, Ret), a motivational speaker, and member of Senator George Allen’s Tidewater Region US Academies Selection Committee. In addition to this, students were treated to a program called “Building the Flag” by National Sojourners, Inc, colonial dressed members of the Hampton Roads Chapter #6 and Cape Henry Chapter #424 of Virginia Beach. Our historic leadership speakers were “John Rolfe” from the original Jamestown settlement, a tobacco entrepreneur and husband of Pocahontas; “Captain John Paul Jones” who gave a rousing first person account of life, and his battle with the HMS Serapis while Captain of the Bon Homme Richard; and “President Thomas Jefferson” with his accounts of leadership and life in early Virginia and America. The students went on guided study tours of Historic Jamestowne, the first successful American colony, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown Victory and Visitor’s Center, and the battlefield where American Independence was won. Complimenting the tours and classroom seminars, the students were presented with unique leadership challenges--puzzles, games, and tests to elicit greater understanding of some elements of leadership, patriotism, and the free enterprise system. The students were broken up into groups for the various leadership challenges, a favorite of which was a session on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Facilitated by Joe Emerson, the students were asked to discuss their understanding of our rights and obligations as citizens of these United States. Towards the end of the session, the groups each decide on a constitutional amendment they think they might like to see occur, then write it down and prepare a group representative to speak to the whole class about their proposal. After each group representative speaks, the body of the whole then votes for the class’ best proposal. Virginia Representative Jo Ann Davis will be asked to provide her opinion of the class’ selected proposal, and this feedback will be provided to the students at a later date. Many of these students had their tuition paid for through the generous donations of the local Air Force Association, Exchange Clubs, National Sojourners, Inc., and Military Order of the World Wars units throughout the US. Four adult chaperones and four returning high school seniors, called Senior Coordinators, continually monitored, discussed, and evaluated the students’ leadership abilities and potential, and select students to receive awards. Awards included the overall “Most Outstanding Leader,” then a male and female “Outstanding Leader,” and a male and female “JROTC Outstanding Leader.” The students were also given the opportunity to select a “Superior Leader as voted by his or her Peers.” During the conference’s closing ceremony, the top awards were handed out and all the students were recognized with a completion certificate and a commemorative brass coin. The Most Outstanding Leader’s name will be engraved on a perpetual plaque called the “LCD Everett ‘Red’ Ryder, USN (Ret) Award,” in honor of his ideas and efforts to form the American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia. LCD “Red” Ryder passed away November 25, 2004. Members of the Hampton Roads MOWW, and the York River Exchange Club, and other FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION provided out-of-State student shuttle requirements.
The Award Winners: CMDR Everett "Red" Ryder, (USN, Ret) Perpetual Plaque and Most Outstanding Leader Award - Michael Mihalcoe (Gloucester HS) Outstanding Leader (male) - Justin Barrs Outstanding Leader (female) - Brittney Brandon (Menchville HS) MOWW's Bronze Patrick Henry Medallion Awards Outstanding JROTC Leader (male) - Eric Wilmer (Grafton HS) Outstanding JROTC Leader (female) - Amelia Castro-Mendoza Superior Leader as Voted by Her Peers - Brittney Brandon (Menchville HS) President’s Honorary Mention - Sierra Wright Best Leadership Group Award - Brittney Brandon, "AJ" Dally, Jr., Ashley Gonzalez, Mike Mihalcoe, Tim Savageau
For more information, please see www.aifcv.org or call 757-478-7467.
**************************************************** Press Release July 25, 2005 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
The AIFCV is proud to announce that for our November 3-6, 2005 Youth Leadership Conference we will be offering Elective College Credits. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs has selected the AIFCV for a pilot project designed to offer all students attending an opportunity to gain 2 or 4 elective college credits. LEAD 151 - Character Education and Community Service, and; LEAD 152 - Citizenship and Community Service Each course, worth 2 credits, will cost an additional $110. If only one is selected, it will have to be Citizenship and Community Service (LEAD !52) If both courses are selected, a 500 word essay will be required within 30 days following the conference. Students, Instructors, and/or parents: Please go to our UCCS webpage to take advantage of this great opportunity
**************************************************** Press Release April 26, 2005 The American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia Youth Leadership Conference 200 Freeman’s Trace, Yorktown Virginia 23693 Phone-757-478-7467
In April 2005, AIFCV completed its sixth four-day Youth Leadership Conference had 42 high school sophomores and juniors representing 27 high schools from 10 States; (CA, MD, MO, OK, NJ, NH, NM, SC, PA, and VA). This conference was nick named the "Wind Talker" class in honor of our native American student, Tashima James, from New Mexico. This program is created under the auspices of the Military Order of the World Wars, a national veteran service organization. The conference is designed to provide the students 50% Leadership, 30% Patriotism, and 20% Free Enterprise System training. Our lead-off speaker was the Honorable Anne Petera, past Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. She is currently Director of Administration for the Attorney General of Virginia. Other speakers included Dr. Vernon Hurte, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs at The College of William & Mary; LTC Jim Rice USA (Ret), Leadership motivation speakers; Mr. Joe Emerson, C-SPAN in the Classroom Champion Teacher and Workshop Facilitator; Mr. Greg Richardson, LtCol, USAF, (Ret), Partner with Goodman & Company, the largest Virginia-based CPA and business consulting firm; Col Bill Townsley, USAF (Ret). Also, the students were treated to a program called “Building the Flag” presented by colonial dressed members of the Yorktown Camp, Heroes of '76 which is an affiliate auxiliary organization of National Sojourners, Inc, Hampton Roads Chapter #6. Finally, “Thomas Jefferson” and “Meriwether Lewis” - two Virginia originals, presented their impressions of leadership and life in early Virginia. They also received guided study tours of Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown Victory and Visitor’s Centers and battlefield, meeting many impersonators of the times. Complimenting the classroom seminars, the students were presented with unique Leadership Challenges; puzzles, games, and tests to elicit understanding of some elements of leadership and patriotsm. The students are broken up into groups of five for the various leadership challenges, a favorite of which was a session on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Here, facilitated by Joe Emerson, the students are asked to discuss their understanding of our rights and obligations as citizens of these United States. Towards the end, the students are asked to go into their individual groups and come up with a change of law or a Constitutional Amendment they think they might like to see occur, then write it down and prepare a group representative to speak the whole class about their proposal. After each group representative speaks their piece, the body of the whole then votes for the class’ proposal which will be presented to 1st Congressional District of Virginia, Representative Jo Anne Davis, who will be asked to provide her opinion of the class’ proposal. 13 of these students had their tuition paid for through the generous donations of local Exchange Clubs. 21 were paid for by Military Order of the World Wars units throughout the US. Four adult Chaperones and four returning high school seniors, called Senior Coordinators, continually monitor, discuss, and evaluate the students’ leadership abilities and potential and select five students to receive awards, and overall “Most Outstanding Leader,” a male and female “Outstanding Leader,” and a male and female “JROTC Outstanding Leader.” Also, the students are given the opportunity to select a “Superior Leader as voted by his or her Peers.” During the Conference’s Closing Ceremony, all the students are recognized with a completion certificate and commemoration brass coin, and the top awards are handed out. The Most Outstanding Leader’s name will be engraved on a perpetual plaque called the “LCD Everett ‘Red’ Ryder, USN (Ret) Award,” in honor of his ideas and efforts to form the American Independence Foundation of Colonial Virginia. LCD “Red” Ryder passed away November 25, 2004.
For more information, please see www.aifcv.org or call 757-478-7467.
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The "Wind Talker" Class April 21- 24, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
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