The 10th Afterschool for All Challenge: Two Days, 220 Members of Congress

We just wrapped up the 10^th annual Afterschool for All Challenge, and I’m feeling incredibly grateful. More than 350 parents, youth, educators and advocates--spanning 40 states--came to the nation’s Capital for our two-day gathering, and met face-to-face with more than 200 Members of Congress and their staff to urge them to preserve funding for afterschool programs and support efforts to expand opportunities for afterschool students to engage in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning.  

It was great to see long-standing supporters of afterschool programs, and to welcome many new faces, as we expanded our reach to the STEM community for this year’s event.  STEM learning in afterschool was a theme running throughout all our sessions, and served as the centerpiece of our gala “Breakfast of Champions,” where Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST and inventor of the Segway, was honored as the 2011 national afterschool champion. Nine state afterschool champions were also recognized.  (Kamen is pictured with his award to the left, on his right is Jodi Grant,  and on his left afterschool youth and Sen. Shaheen of NH.)

An amazing line up of afterschool supporters from Congress also spoke at the event: Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA), Mark Begich (AK), Patty Murray (WA), Jean Shaheen (NH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Rep. David Cicilline (RI).  Each spoke passionately, and knowledgeably, about afterschool. 

As is often the case, however, youth stole the show. A group of high school Afterschool Ambassadors from Texas opened things up with an afterschool cheer and poem. Sophomore Kyle Gulshen, of Camdenton, Missouri, left the adults in the crowd speechless with his eloquent and persuasive argument for STEM learning afterschool. Our youngest speaker, nine year old Kai Goodall, helped get the tennis program started at her Washington, DC school. And Rebecca Dragon of Laconia, NH, shared how afterschool turned her on to engineering – and away from trouble.  

These are just a few highlights -- take a minute to check out our Challenge page, featuring Tweets, pictures and news releases, for more. And join us next year!