Dear NSHSS Scholar:

As Chair of the 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games, administered by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island, I want to begin by saying how honored we are to welcome the NSHSS as official partners in what we feel is the finest youth sports and cultural event in the world. Our partnership affords all NSHSS members with a unique and important opportunity--automatic acceptance in the United States Scholar-Athlete Games on June 28-July 5, 2008, at the University of Rhode Island.  This is the first such partnership we have ever forged, and we are delighted to be working with such an outstanding organization.  We expect to receive well over 50,000 nominations for only 2,000 spots.  If you would like to participate in the 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games, I would encourage you to enroll in the near future.  Categories of competition include the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Chess, Golf, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball and the following arts activities: Art, Choir, Culinary Arts, Dance, Photography, Symphony, Theatre, Writing/Poetry.  NSHSS members aged 15 to 19 are eligible.

My first suggestion is that you visit our website at www.internationalsport.com, where you will see we have already announced extraordinary speakers such as General Colin Powell, who will deliver a keynote address on leadership; Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, who will deliver the Scholar-Athlete Games 15^th Anniversary address on World Peace; and the distinguished Chair of NSHSS, Environmentalist Claes Nobel, who will deliver a major address on the environment.  Next week, we will issue a press release to formally announce that Vint Cerf, one of the true founding fathers of the Internet, and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest honor accorded an American civilian) will be with us on our Technology Theme Day to deliver a major address on the future of technology.  In the coming months, we will announce a number of other major speakers, as well as other extraordinary activities.

Note:   If you are an NSHSS member hailing from a foreign country, you are most welcome to represent your country at the United States Scholar-Athlete Games.  Dr. Malcolm MacKenzie is the coordinator of international students for USSAG.  If you have questions, you may reach Dr. MacKenzie at: 401-874-2673 or at mmackenzie@internationalsport.com.