• This is an excerpt from a letter sent by Sheila Faulkner, a fifth grade teacher at the Sugar Grove School in Fredrick, Ohio.

  "I had no idea how much you touched the lives of our students at Sugar Grove until I read through their notes to you today�The children talked often about their experiences with you. Many parents even stopped in before and after school expressing their thanks. You will see from their notes that you definitely got the roll, pitch, yaw concept across.

  We appreciate your kindness and patience with the children, especially when they asked similar questions again and again. Children need repetition and reminders. That is why the presentation was so successful.

  Thank you also for the inner tube boxes. Some of the children are still playing with them�"

   

• From Suzanne Weichselbaum, Lower School Laison for the Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas:

  "The school was truly abuzz with word of you visit and marvelous Wright brothers' glider replica. We collected comments from teachers and administrators � every single one was positive. I thought I'd share several of these. They are in response to a question on the students' reaction to your presentation:

  'They were enthralled.'

  'They were captivated and involved � they loved it.'

  'Excellent!'

  Our faculty (and even more so, the student body_ is made up of some tough critics, so you should feel complimented!

  I thought your presentation was so strong in many ways � the fascinating Wright brothers biographical material, the primer on the physics of flight, having your gorgeous replica of the 1902 glider for the kids to touch. But you also conveyed a very important message to the students It's okay to fail, and I even to be expected when the hurdles are high, so long as you learn something from the experience."

• From Susan Smith, Director of the Brownsburg Challenger Learning Center near Indianapolis, Indiana:

"According to many different sources, your presentation was absolutely outstanding. Teachers, students, and administrators are still raving about the program. I have herd comments that include, "it was one of the best presentations I have ever seen," "I Have learned so many new things about what kids have done in the past," and "Now I understand roll, pitch, and yaw." I have enclosed thank you letters from one of the fourth grade classes that attended the presentation. They re very complimentary.

I look forward to continuing a successful partnership with you and hope that you will return to Brownsburg for another presentation. Please let me know how the Challenger staff can support this worthwhile project."

• From Susan Coleman, Chairman and administrator for the Indian Creek School in Crownsville, Maryland:

"The children and teachers loved your presentations I heard nothing but glowing reviews. The middle school principal told me he expected your program to be good but it far surpassed his expectations. He described your rapport with the children as 'magical.' The teachers of the younger grade levels said the amount of information you gave the children was perfectly age-appropriate. I know this can be challenging. The hand-on activities were creative and interesting�Please know we are truly grateful for providing this special opportunity for the students of Indian Creek School. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done."

• The Spirit of Dayton Project has also won kudos from people outside the educational system. The legislature of the State of Ohio, for example, sent us this hearty pat on the back. "As America grows and changes," it says in part, "it is imperative that we show a healthy respect for the worthiest elements of the past. You can be proud that your diligent efforts have...ensur[ed] that subsequent generations will have an accurate, enduring record of what has proceeded us."