Testimonials for GSC

NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC TELEVISION

268 Mast Road • Durham, NH 03824 • nhptv.org | Bryn Burns • bburns@nhptv.org • 603-868-4395DIGITAL CHANNELS 11 Durham, 34 Pittsburg, 48 Littleton, 49 Keene, 50 Hanover ANALOG 26 Colebrook

With the sudden loss of $2.7 million dollars in state funding in 2011,

NHPTV was forced to put Granite State Challenge

on hiatus until new funding could be secured.

Since then, NHPTV has received compelling

testimonials from Granite State Challenge

coaches, schools, students and program viewers that

demonstrate the value of the show and the true

impact it has had on lives.

9/2012

“PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING IS IN PLACE FOR THE GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE. This is a great show that affects many communities in NH. BRING BACK GSC!!!” ~ Jay F., GSC Fan

“Granite State Challenge provides a critically necessary venue that showcases the talents of worthy students, who are, quite often, not involved in athletics. Most schools are lauded and showcased in the newspaper and in their communities because of their athletic programs. While this is commendable, and the hard work and efforts of student athletes is certainly worth praising, the efforts of the more academically-minded are often ignored, even in their own schools, let alone their local media and communities. GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is the only real outlet for these students, and it is simply unethical and shortsighted to further reduce the visible opportunities for praise and competition that these students so richly deserve... I would urge the key decision makers in our state to rethink the decisions they have made regarding funding to educational outlets; they are cutting off a valuable resource and shorting their own investment in the future of this state, and the students therein.” ~ Carlene G.

“For well over a decade, Raymond High School has participated in GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE. As the coach of this team, I have seen the incredible impact it has made on countless students who have distinguished themselves with their academic and intellectual talents, made possible by this terrific program... As a public school teacher of 20 years, I am well aware of the dependence we all have on public funding to maintain people and programs. But I am also aware that the investment we make in students is repaid tenfold in the benefits reaped not only by those individuals but by all of us as a community and a culture.” ~ Elizabeth K., GSC Coach, Raymond High School

“I have been a GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE coach for 20 years. Each team has been unique in their personalities and abilities, but in every case, I witness incredible growth and self-esteem as a result of participating in the competition. My students are so disappointed that they will not get the ability to compete - they have been preparing for this for weeks and feel totally let down by the state of NH's lack of support for something so important.” ~ Susan R., GSC Coach

Testimonials for GSC

NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC TELEVISION

268 Mast Road • Durham, NH 03824 • nhptv.org | Bryn Burns • bburns@nhptv.org • 603-868-4395DIGITAL CHANNELS 11 Durham, 34 Pittsburg, 48 Littleton, 49 Keene, 50 Hanover ANALOG 26 Colebrook

“As a student with a passion for knowledge, I love the New Hampshire quiz bowl league. Since freshman year, my classmates and I have dreamt of being on GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE once our senior year arrives. Therefore, understandably, the news of the hiatus of Granite State Challenge was very displeasing and discouraging to many of us, from all leagues and schools throughout New Hampshire. GSC is treasured, and it would be a horrible thing to waste. Please consider alternatives. Thanks.” ~ Megan C., Portsmouth Christian Academy

“I am writing to urge you to keep GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE as part of your presentations on NHPTV. This kind of emphasis on academic prowess and competition is not common in our time and needs to be highlighted and celebrated. I hope you will keep this highly valuable programming that give students a venue to showcase their learning and enthusiasm for knowledge. Thanks so much.” ~ Patty T., GSC Fan

“I'm writing because I heard about GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE being put on hiatus due to budget cuts. I was on the Oyster River High School GSC team as a freshman in '96-'97, when we were runners-up, and captained the team in '98-'99, when we won the SuperChallenge. I feel it was a huge part of my high school experience and education that has seen me go on in a variety of directions, currently working as a foreign policy research analyst in Washington for the Brookings Institution, and it also, more directly, led me into greater levels of trivia competition: I went on to compete on "Jeopardy!" in 2007, where I was a five-time champion and became the top winner of the 2006-07 season. It's easy for me to see how GSC has helped me in life, [and] it'd be a shame for the students of New Hampshire not to have the opportunity that I did.” ~ Mehrun E., Past GSC Team Captain, winner of “Jeopardy”

“I am writing to offer my support to the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE competition between top academic students from throughout NH high schools. I recognize budget constraints, but students from throughout the schools that I have lead, always look forward to the professional competition and inherent pressures of the Challenge. As the principal of Laconia High School, our students, staff and community look forward to the event yearly, always wishing we could compete every year as opposed to every other.” ~ Steve Beals, Principal, Laconia High School

“As a teacher and yearbook adviser I would like to express my support of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE and hope that you continue the show.

It's one of the few chances for non-athletes to be a star.” ~ Marian F., Teacher

Emphasizing quick recall of factual material in all major disciplines, as well as a smattering of pop culture trivia and New Hampshire matters, Granite State Challenge, hosted by Jim Jeannotte, is a rousing competition as spirited as any sports competition!