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Home Education: An Excellent Choice

PRESS RELEASE                                 
May 19, 2008                                                        
Subject: HEAV State Convention

Contact:
Anne Miller (President); 757-253-2518; president@heav.org
Yvonne Bunn (Director of Homeschool Support); 804-278-9200; ybunn@heav.org

From Three Moms and a Card Table to a Movement of More Than 23,000
 
Home educators celebrate 25th anniversary at state-wide convention; notable figures from the early years of homeschooling to be recognized.

At the 25th Annual HEAV State Convention & Educational Fair held on June 5, 6, and 7, thousands of home educators will celebrate twenty-five years of home education in Virginia. The celebration offers a unique look at the history of this growing movement, as well as inspiration for current homeschoolers as they look forward to the next twenty-five years. 

Homeschooling in Virginia officially began in 1984 when the Virginia Legislature passed the homeschooling statute. Homeschoolers at the time were few and far between. In fact, HEAV began when just three moms set up a card table at the General Assembly and collected the names and addresses of those who had come to support homeschool legislation. Now, twenty-five years later, there are more than 23,000 homeschoolers throughout Virginia, with more being added every year.

"The homeschooling movement has been richly blessed. We want to remember that history, and renew our vision for the future," says HEAV president Anne Miller. 

Towards this end, the convention will be featuring an anniversary celebration as part of a keynote session on Friday afternoon. The celebration will feature a documentary film and recognition of the contributions of homeschooling pioneers. There will also be a 25th Anniversary Track with workshops designed to inspire and renew homeschooling families. And, in celebration of twenty-five years, each family that registers for the convention will receive a CD with 25 free resources-plus 7 bonus gifts-valued at more than $200. The CD contains notebooking pages, unit studies, audio books and workshops, cookbooks, e-books, and much more.

Convention director Florence Feldman encourages everyone to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration. She says, "Come be informed, inspired, and blessed."

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The Home Educators Association of Virginia strengthens and empowers the more than 23,000 homeschoolers throughout the Commonwealth. HEAV, a statewide, member-supported, non-profit association, has served Virginia homeschoolers through information, legislation, and resources for the past 25 years. Media personnel can learn more by visiting www.heav.org/media.