Rally Day 2006
March 28, 2006
Esprit readers are urged to make plans to go unless providentially hindered.
- Farris to Speak at March 28 Rally Day
- Activities for the Whole Family
- Constitution Conference at 2:00 p.m.
- THEA Secures Hotel Discount
- Honors Band Forming at Rally Day
Farris to speak at March 28 Rally Day
By Claiborne and Lana Thornton
We are so excited about the special activities being planned for Rally Day 2006. As in the past, we have a theme for the day. This year it is the U.S. Constitution. Our speaker is constitutional attorney Michael Farris,
president of Patrick Henry College. He is well qualified to speak to us about our founding document, its original intent and how this is being violated in our day to the great detriment of the nation.
A long-time leader in the modern-day homeschool movement Michael and his wife, Vickie, are parents of 10 children, all of whom they have or are home educating. Together they have been serving, leading and blessing home educators in our nation and around the world for 20 years.
Among his many honors, Michael was named one of the most significant 100 “Faces of the Century” in education by Education Week newspaper. He is a professor of Government at PHC, teaching constitutional law. He has also written a constitutional law course for high school students which is in its fourth printing. His college text on the same subject is now in production.
Michael has argued constitutional cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, six of the Circuit Courts of Appeal, and in the appellate courts of twelve different states. He has been one of the leading social conservative activists on Capitol Hill for nearly 20 years.
Ned Ryun, director of Generation Joshua, will be with us again to inform us about this vibrant, young organization and its growth across Tennessee and the country. As a matter of fact with Ned we will host our first state-wide GenJ Club gathering on Monday night, March 27th. So GenJ Club members, plan to join Ned & other GenJers from across the state for a great gathering of TN GenJers! Watch for more details coming soon.
Activities for the Whole Family
Outstanding students & performances
Our Rally Tuesday morning in the War Memorial Auditorium on Capitol Hill, will begin at 9 and conclude at 11:30. We will honor our 14 outstanding students, two from each of the seven THEA chapters. We will also be entertained with performances by homeschoolers from across Tennessee each one representing their THEA chapter.
Our second annual Honor Band will also perform, led by guest conductor & homeschool dad, John LaMacchia of Knoxville. Band members from across the state will play great music together on the stage of the WMA, showcasing our talented young people and highlighting our numbers to the legislators.
Honoring legislators
In a highlight of the Rally, we will honor our state legislators who have taken a courageous stand to protect the life of the unborn, shining a special spotlight on Sen. David Fowler, sponsor of SR 127, the prolife amendment to our state Constitution. For more info go to www.legislature.state.tn.us and search for SR 127.
Visiting lawmaker offifices
Visits to your legislators offices are so significant. Legislators are most pleased to meet their constituents in their Capitol Hill offices.Please plan to visit both your state senator and representative. We recommend that you call and make a 10-15 minute appointment with both of them either before the Rally or after it concludes. Be repectful, courteous and polite even if they are members of a different political party or may not yet endorse home education.Take your children instructing them to be respectful and polite.Take your camera and make pictures.Your visit may be the beginning of their opinion changing in favor of home education! It has happened!
Your visit with legislators can include delivery of our signature red, white or blue gift bag filled with cookies for your legislator‘s staff (with “A Treat from Home from TN Homeschoolers” sticker on it) along with the delivery to your legislators of a copy of the rally program and a handout about the U.S. Constitution prepared by THEA for your children to share with them. Check with the THEA information table in the WMA lobby about cookie delivery.
Get ready to put on a display
Displays and exhibits of your science fair entrys, 4-H, unit study or other special projects and displays of activities such as mock trial, sports teams and speech and debate, will line the busy hallways of Legislative Plaza, or LP, giving a powerful confirmation of the excellent activities and positive socialization of our students to the passing legislators. Call Lana Thornton at (615) 426-2007 to reserve a table for your display.
Food served to lawmakers, visitors
Food will be served to the legislators and staff in the mezzanine, at the top of the escalators, as our student musicians entertain. Some of these musicians will also entertain at the busy Sixth Avenue revolving door LP entrance as legislators, staff, lobbyists and the public file past. If you wish to volunteer to help with any of these Rally Day details, please give us a call at (615) 426-2007.
Constitution conference at 2:00 PM
Special Activities are being planned for the afternoon of Rally Day. A mini conference on the U.S. Consitution at a nearby downtown spot (TBA) will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 4.
Speaking about the Constitution to our high school students and their parents will be our special guest, Constitutional attorney, Michael Farris.
Ned Ryun will present power point and interactive teaching on the Constitutional Convention (first presented in Philadelphia) for Junior High students, ages 10-13.
A wonderful afternoon is being planned for our children ages 9-5 focusing on the Constitution with age-appropriate teaching and crafts.
This is a special day you & your family don‘t want to miss! Plan to bring not only your family, but also your suppoirt group, co-op or tutorial & celebrate together with other TN home educators the blessings of our Godprotected freedom to home educate in Tennessee, while together we positively impact our law-makers! See you here!
THEA secures hotel discount
A discounted block of doulbe, nonsmoking rooms has been reserved by THEA at the Best Western Downtown Convention Center at 711 Union St. just across the street from the WMA. The Best Western serves a free continental breakfast and provides one free parking space for each room (a great deal in downtown Nashville). The discounted room rate is $80 + taxes while the regular rate is $98.95 + taxes. The number at the Best Western is (615) 242-4311. Be sure to mention THEA for the discounted rate. Its web site is www.bestwestern.com, then search for Best Western Downtown Convention Center.
Negotiations are in progress with the Sheraton Hotel also acrooss the street from the War Memorial Auditorium. Watch your e-mail for updates or check the THEA website at www.tnhea.org or your CSTHEA site.
We eagerly anticipate a great Rally Day 2006 with you and your family as together we celebrate our freedom to home educate in Tennessee and work to infl uence our lawmakers to protect our rights and preserve our freedoms! You can reach me at Claiborne Thornton, (615) 579- 3546.
Honors band forming at Rally Day
Tennessee homeschoolers are organizing the 2nd annual home school honors band for Rally Day in Nashville on Monday March 27 and Tuesday March 28. All high school band students wishing to participate contact: (email). His phone is (865) 216-1507
