"These voices have heard the whispers from the Gulf, the echoes of a forgotten hero. Will you, too, help empower the next generation to remember?"
Embedded Files
Dr. Douglas A. Tyson, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Region 1, Fairfax County Public Schools
"...I am most proud of Ryan and the Langley World Affairs Club. I have shared the information with appropriate people at Region 1 middle schools and high schools. I hope we get lots of entries!"
— April 3, 2025
"...I am a student interested in participating in the essay project..."I am currently at Robinson Secondary School, In 7th grade, and I found out about this by my librarian, who posted an update about this essay competition."
-7th Grade Student, Robinson Secondary School
Fairfax County Public Schools and Libraries
Partners in Remembrance
The messages below offer a glimpse into the encouragement that made this contest real. These educators and public library leaders didn’t just share an announcement—they helped revive a chapter of history and connect it to today’s learners.
Here’s what they shared—and the ripple effect their support set in motion.
"Hi Ryan, What a phenomenal project! The English 7 department has posted in Schoology, and we will be sharing about this contest this week in class as well. I hope many students take up this incredible opportunity! Thanks for piloting it 😊"
- 7th Grade English CT Lead, Writing Center Coordinator, Cooper Middle School
"Hi Ryan, Thank you for your email. I announced this writing contest to all my students yesterday. Also, I posted the information you shared in my classes' Schoology pages. Last, I printed your Google slide for students to take from the front of my classroom. I hope they will participate! Have a good day,."
- English Teacher, Longfellow Middle School
"This is awesome, thanks for sharing, Ryan! 😊 I definitely will be sharing it! Gracias! Best,"
- Spanish Language Teacher, HS; World Language Department Chair, Madison High School
"Thank you, Ryan, and I’m happy to share with our students in World Languages, as well as our colleagues in the Social Studies departments."
- Spanish Language Teacher/Spanish Honor Society Advisor & Key Club Advisor, Lake Braddock Secondary School
"Thank you for sharing this! I will make sure to share this with the right people who will get as many students as possible interested."
- Assistant Principal/Social Studies/World Languages, Falls Church High School
"I appreciate your email and thank you for this great opportunity for our students. I am forwarding my email to the Spanish teachers in my school."
- French Language Teacher and World Language Department Chair, Rocky Run Middle School
"Good morning, Ryan, I wanted to personally thank you for reaching out to share this amazing opportunity with the students at Woodson. I have advertised this opportunity with the members of the Spanish Honor Society and I’m sure you will get some essay submissions from our school. Please continue to communicate should you have any questions or further collaboration I can assist with during the final month of this contest. Thanks again for your meaningful work with the World Affairs Club! Keep at it!"
- Spanish Teacher, Department of World Languages, Spanish Honor Society Sponsor, Bullet Journaling Club Sponsor, Guiding Coalition Member, New Staff Lead Mentor, Woodson High School, Region 5
"Happy to post on our All Student Schoology—excellent, thanks! Posted! I’m a Langley High School ’07 grad—Go Saxons!"
- History & Social Studies Teacher, West Potomac High School
"Sounds like a wonderful club and a great opportunity for students who are interested in history and Spanish. I will make sure my students hear about this!"
- Spanish Language Teacher and World Language Department Chair, Cooper Middle School
"Dear Ryan, Thank you for sending! To clarify, this is open to all students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in Spanish classes or not, right? And they can write the essay in English? Thanks so much for clarifying. I will publicize this contest!"
- World Languages Dept Chair, McLean High School
"Yes, we would be happy to share this through our announcements. I will also share it with the Spanish teachers."
- English/Journalism Teacher, The Purple Tide Adviser, The Knightly News Adviser, Chantilly High School
"Thank you so much for reaching out about this exciting opportunity. I will share this with my students. Best of luck!"
- English Teacher, Mount Vernon High School
"Sure thing, will post in our All Students Schoology."
- Assistant Principal, Westfield High School
"Thank you for the communication. I will be sharing with Spanish Honor Society today."
- Spanish Teacher, World Language Department, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
"Thank you for reaching out about this opportunity. I will talk with our Spanish teachers here at Carson and make sure that our students are aware of the opportunity."
- French Language Teacher and World Language Department Chair, Carson Middle School
"Our World Language Department Chair will share the information with students. Please contact her with any additional details."
- Director of Student Services, Herndon Middle School
"Thank you, Ryan! I shared the flyer and QR code with my classes. This seems like a great contest!"
- English 7 Teacher, Writing Center Supervisor , Cooper Middle School
"Ryan, I have shared this with my colleagues and will present the opportunity to students upon our return from Spring Break. Thank you for sharing this with us at Oakton High School."
-Social Studies Department, AP Testing Coordinator, Service Learning Liaison, NHS Advisor, Oakton High School
"Hello Ryan, How exciting! I will share this opportunity. Take care,"
- English Teacher, Madison High School
"Hola Ryan. Thank you for sending the information about your contest. I have presented and explained the contest to my department. I also provided them with the flier and the letter. I hope that your contest will be a success. Also, good luck to all of those participating. Gracias."
- Spanish Language Teacher, World Language Department Chair; Longfellow Middle School
"Good morning Mr. Minton, I apologize for the late response. Yes, I am sharing the information with the World Languages teachers today and with the Multilingual department as well"
- World Language Department Chair, Herndon Middle School
"Good Morning Ryan, I appreciate your sharing this information with us. I will be sure to share it with my students."
- English Teacher, South County High School
"Dear Ryan, I added details about the Essay Contest on our Langston Hughes MS: All Students Schoology page. I hope you receive a lot of submissions!"
- Reading Specialist, Langston Hughes Middle School
""Thanks Ryan. I’ll pass this on to my APUSH (Advanced Placement United States History) and USH (United States History) students. Sounds like a terrific opportunity."
- History & Social Studies Teacher, Madison High School
"Hola Ryan, Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I'll make sure to share this with our students."
- Spanish Language Teacher, South Lakes High School
"Thanks for sending me the essay information! I posted it on my Schoology, and I encouraged students in class. I hope they write!!!!"
- English Teacher, English 8 Honors & Advanced Academics, Cooper Middle School
"Thank you, Ryan, and I’m happy to share with our students in World Languages, as well as our colleagues in the Social Studies departments."
- Spanish Language Teacher/Spanish Honor Society Advisor & Key Club Advisor, Lake Braddock Secondary School
"Good afternoon, We'll get this out to our student body and share with our counselors, English teachers, and history teachers. Let me know if I can be of any more assistance. Have a great rest of your day and best of luck with the contest!"
- After School Program Specialist, Cooper Middle School
"Of course, I’m happy to share this opportunity with my students—thank you for reaching out and for your patience!"
- Spanish Language Teacher, Marshall High School
"Hello, I will share the information with students and teachers. Thanks and good luck to those of you who participate!"
-World Languages Instructor, World Languages Department Chair, Oakton High School
"Good morning, Thank you for your email. I will look into this opportunity."
- Spanish Teacher, World Language Department, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
"Hi Ryan, Centreville High school teachers have been notified of the contest and will post it to their Schoology pages. Thanks and good luck."
- English Dept Chair, English 10 Centreville High School
"Thanks, I'll let them know!"
- History & Social Studies Teacher, APUSH (Advanced Placement United States History), Honors US & AP Research, AP Academic Coordinator, Madison High School
"Hi Ryan, I'll pass this opportunity along. Thanks!
- English 9 Honors and Film Study, West Springfield High School
"I am reviewing all of the information and will also present it to our DSS and/or Principal to see where would be the best place to pass this opportunity."
- Family Liaison, Stone Middle School
"Thank you for reaching out and for sharing this opportunity! The contest sounds like a great way for students to engage with history and international relations. I’d be happy to share this with our students. I’ll pass along the flyer and contest details through our communication channels. Appreciate your efforts in organizing this and best of luck with the contest!"
- Family Liaison / Multilingual Interpreter, Rocky Run Middle School
"Hi Ryan, I received your email about the essay contest. It seems interesting and an opportunity to learn more about Spain. As you know, I am a Spanish teacher and I would be interested in having my students participate if it is in Spanish. I believe the Spanish Honor Society would be interested too. Can you clarify this please? Thank you"
- Spanish Teacher, World Language Department, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
"I will share it with them ...!"
- History & Social Studies Teacher, Westfield High School
"Hi Ryan, Thank you for reaching out. Great stuff! I shared your email with our entire Social Studies team, 7th and 8th graders. Maybe also share it with the Spanish language teachers? Also, do you have a flyer or anything I can print and post on my board? .... I forwarded all the resources to our team here. Thanks for all your work!"
- Civics Teacher, Cooper Middle School
"Good morning, Mr. Minton, Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. I will be happy to share this initiative with my students."
- World Language Teacher, Chantilly High School
"Sure, I can pass this on to the English Department."
- English 7 CLT Lead, Department Chair; Longfellow Middle School
"Sure. Sounds like something some of them might be interested in. Thanks for sending this to me. Good luck with it. - English Teacher; Frost Middle School
"Hello Ryan, Yes, I would be happy to share this opportunity with my students. If any are interested in submitting, I will let you know."
- US History 7th Grade, Captains Team, Kathrine Johnson Middle School
"Thank you so much Ryan, I will consider it."
- Spanish Language Teacher, West Springfield High School
"Hola, Ryan, If you design a Google Slide I can add to my daily presentation, I will share it with my students. Gracias,"
-Spanish Language Teacher, Oakton High School
"Thank you, Ryan. I will pass this on to my students. Good luck with your club!"
- History & Social Studies Teacher, Lake Braddock Secondary School
"Hi Ryan, I can definitely share with my students. Thank you!"
- English and Teachers for Tomorrow Teacher, South Lakes High School
"Thank you for the information Ryan. I will pass this information to my students."
- Spanish Language Teacher, Marshall High School
"Hi Ryan, I will pass this opportunity on to some students who may be interested. Thanks,"
- 8th Grade Civics Teacher, Herndon Middle School
"Thank you so much Ryan, I will consider it."
- Spanish Language Teacher, West Springfield High School
"Thank you. I passed it along the head of our Spanish department." - Communications Specialist, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Fairfax County Public Libraries
"Oh wow, this looks great! We’ve posted the flyer in both the lobby and the teen area."
- Youth Services Assistant, Dolley Madison Library
"We are happy to post this flyer."
- Branch Manager, Chantilly Regional Library
"We’d be happy to post the flyer for the essay contest."
- Branch Manager, Great Falls Library
"Dear Ryan Minton, Your flyer is posted at the Lorton Library."
- Branch Manager, Lorton Library
"Sure thing, happy to. Best of luck on your project, very interesting."
- Branch Manager, Patrick Henry Library
"What a wonderful project and of course we would be happy to post the flier."
- Branch Manager, Pohick Regional Library
"What a wonderful opportunity and a very interesting subject! We will post it at our branch until May 15."
- Assistant Branch Manager, Access Services Library Branch
"Yes, we can post this flyer in the library. Hope this helps you get the word out!"
- Branch Manager, George Mason Regional Library
"Space permitting, we are happy to post this flyer for your event."
- Branch Manager, Thomas Jefferson Library
"This sounds like a wonderful endeavor and we would be pleased to display your flyer for 2 weeks."
- Branch Manager, Herndon Library
"We will post it on our bulletin section."
- Branch Manager, John Marshall Library
"I am happy to post the flyer..."
- Librarian III / Branch Manager, Kings Park Library
"We will gladly display the essay contest flyer for you. What a wonderful opportunity for students!"
- Branch Manager, Kingstowne Library
"I can display this on our community board through April 4th."
- Assistant Branch Manager, Richard Byrd Library
"Yes, we will post your flyer for the essay contest."
- Culmore Community Library Staff, Culmore Library
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