National History Day / May 4 Student Projects
Submitted by Alan Canfora on Thu, 2006-03-30 18:04.
The National History Day program "helps students learn about historical issues, ideas, people, and events." The Kent May 4 Center recently received a large number of emails from students in response to National History Day. A sample of these emails follows:
More info on National History Day
February 20, 2007:
Hello my name is Jodie and right now I’m in 11 grade at Whitney High School in CA.
I’m doing a project on the Kent State Shooting and i would really like it if you could help me out a little bit. I would like to see your side of the whole thing because we have to choose sides and i haven’t completely made my decision on which side i want to write about. I would really like to talk to you. My project is due in March sometime. my teacher hasn’t given a set deadline yet. I will be looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you, Jodie
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February 18, 2007:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Dan and I am in the 8th grade. I am doing a project on the Kent State Shootings and I have a few questions for you that i was hoping you could answer.
1. Why were you at the protest?
2. Why were you so involved in the protest?
3. Who were you angry at?
4. Why did you confront the national guard? Did you fear for your life?
5. What changes were there around campus after and during protests?
7. Did feelings toward Vietnam change?
8. What do you feel changed after Kent State?
9. Did you experience any harassment after Kent State?
10. What were the biggest ways that the experience personally affected you?
11. Have you had interactions with people who thought what happened was justifiable? If so, why did they think that?
12. How do you think this experience changed the way people thought about the Vietnam War?
I know that there are alot of questions, but if you could please e-mail me back as soon as possible, it would be very appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dan
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February 16, 2007:
hello mr. Canfora i am a student at glastonbury highschool and I’m writing a paper about the kent state shootings and i would like to get a little more information about it before starting my paper, if there is any way you could help please e-mail me back it would be a great help. thank you
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February 14, 2007:
Hello Mr. Canfora,
Thanks again so much for the phone interview. We are currently working on a documentary about Kent State. We were wondering if you knew of any video clips that would be helpful to use.
Thanks again,
Megan and Kristina
****
ALAN’S REPLY:
Hi Megan,
Try CNN online at:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/05/04/kent.state.revisit/
Also, see my September, 2006, KSU May 4 tragedy site eyewitness commentary at the scene of the crime online video:
http://podactivist.com/blog/?p=38
NOTE: If you can pay for a DVD, go to any larger bookstore and get the book:13 SECONDS, by Philip Caputo.
The book is really quite lame but there is an EXCELLENT documentary DVD attached inside.
“Kent State: The Day the War Came Home”.
It's the best documentary film/video about Kent 1970 ever, including interviews with eyewitnesses, surviving victims, guardsmen and others.
--Alan
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February 12, 2007:
Dear Alan,
We are a student group from Lewisburg, Ohio. We are currently working on an upcoming assignment for National History Day about The Kent State Massacre. We were hoping you could provide us with some information on this topic. If you happen to know any other eyewitness or people involved with the shootings that we could contact as well please send us their contact info.
Sincerely,
Emily,Christy, Alysha, Jesse and Kylie
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February 6, 2007:
Hello. I'm a senior at Penn High School in Indiana and I am doing my senior exit project on the Kent State Massacre. I have to have an interview as part of my research. When I found your page I was thrilled to learn that you are willing to give interviews over the phone! I'm sorry that this is at the last minute but I was hoping you'd be able to give up some of your time so i could ask you a few questions. I am supposed to have my interview by February 13. My teacher said she might be willing to push back the date if need be.
Thank you for considering,
Natalie Y.
February 11, 2007:
I was recently assigned a paper for my history class concerning the events at Kent State. You seem to be extremely pro-student and I'd love to have an interview over the phone with you. I'm a junior at Gardner High School. You've probably never heard of Gardner because it's a very small town in Massachusetts. If you could please write back to be as soon as possible, I'd appreciate it. I kind've put off writing this paper so the deadline is approaching fast.
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February 10, 2007:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Stephanie. My partner Katy and I are doing a National History Day project on the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970. I was wondering if it would be possible to set up a telephone interview sometime with you so that we would be able to talk to someone who was there that day. Please let us know as soon as you can! Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Stephanie
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February 9, 2007:
thank you so much for all of your help...We just got back from the compention and we placed second and will be advancing to state in Austin on April 27-28.
~*KaSsI*~
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February 7, 2007:
Hello Mr. Canfora.
My name is Jaime. I am a junior in high school. I am writing a research paper for my American History class. The topic i chose to write on is Student Protest During Vietnam: Kent State May 4. I chose this because you had an impact on me. This summer, my teen tour group came to Kent State. We met you there and you told us all about the terrible events of May 4. You had told us about your book that you were going to write. I came across your website as i was doing research and i wondered if e-mailing you could be of some help. If there is any way possible for you to give me some information to use in my paper that would be amazing. Also, i remember you telling us about your book you were writing and we told you we wanted to read it when we got home. I was wondering if you could provide me with the title (if it was published yet) so i can go to the store and then read it. Thank You for your help and time. And once again thanks for showing us around the university and sharing your story and experience of these terrible events.
Sincerely,
Jaime M
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February 8, 2007:
Hello,
My name is Hanna. I am a junior in high school in fort worth, texas. I chose this topic, Kent State Shootings, for an AP United States history project, and what started out as just a project, is quickly turning into a passion. I cannot stop reading bios from people who were there, writings of mothers who lost children. It is all so fascinating to me. Of course, for you, the experience of it must be completely different from what I am reading to finish my project. If it is at all possible, I would love to schedule an interview with you. I desperately want to know more!
Thank you,
Hanna
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February 8, 2007:
Dear Mr.. Canfora,
My name is Heather and I live in Idaho. I’m an 8th grader, and I’m
competing in National History Day for the first time this year.
The theme this year is Triumph and Tragedy, and I’m writing a paper about
the Kent State Shootings. The tragedy of the incident was clear enough, but
the triumph has been trickier to find.
Since you are a victim and an expert on the topic of the Kent State
tragedy, I would like to ask you one question. Having lived through the
tragic event and watched the aftermath what would, in your opinion, be the
silver lining to the Kent State Shootings—if any?
I realize that you are very busy, and prefer telephone interviews, so I
understand if you don’t have time to reply. But I would like to thank you
for your amazing website—it has helped me immensely with my research (and I
was so pleased to see that I had found almost every book that you
recommended! They too, were very helpful.)
Well, thank you again! It would be great to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Heather
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February 7, 2007:
Hi,
i was just wondering if there was someone that i could ask a couple
questions about the shooting. Im doing a research paper and i have
to have an interview. I would just ask about 4 questions really just
basic information but i dont know anyone that knows really anything
about the shooting.
thanks,
chloe l.
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February 7, 2007:
Mr. Canfora,
We competed our local history fair recently and placed fourth in our division. We will be advancing to regional history fair which is to be held this Friday. We will be sure to take photos of the exhibit for you and send them to you. We have made a few changes to the project since the local fair, we have expanded our research and went more in dept about the National Guard's view of the protest because the judges felt as if our research was one sided and did not have enough about their view. Once again thank you for all of the help. In the next few days if we have any questions we will more than likely contact you and ask you. I will let you know when we know the results of the regional fair. Thank you so much for your help.
Thanks again,
Kassi, Arielle, John and Jose
~*KaSsI*~
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February 6, 2007:
Mr. Canfora
If you could please take some time out of your day to please answer these questions for my partner and I's history day project as soon as you possibly can.
1. What was the cultural influence on the Kent State Shootings?
2. What was the social influence on the Kent State Shootings?
3. What was the political influence on the Kent State Shootings?
4. What was the economic influence on the Kent State Shootings?
5. What were the causes and consequences of the Kent State Shootings?
6. What was the reaction of the crowd when the shoots were made?
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February 5, 2007:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Heather and I am currently a senior at Los Alamos High
school in New Mexico. I am doing a senior research paper for my senior
English class on the topic of Kent state and the incident that took place on
May 4th. I am required to have interviews in this paper and, your own
personal time allowing, I would like to interview you regarding your own
personal experiences and how you feel regarding the incident. If you are
willing to participate in my interview then I will simply send you questions
via Email and you may send me your responses. This will be the quickest way
to achieve my interview without taking up to much of your time. Your
interview would be a great help to my paper.
Your help is greatly appreciated, Mr. Canfora.
Thank you for your time
Heather
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February 4, 2007:
Hi Mr. Canfora.
It's Allie and Melissa from Rudder Middle School. If you have already got this email, I apologize, but we were wondering what the black flag, you were holding in the picture, meant.
Thank you,
Melissa & Allie.
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January 28, 2007:
Mr. Canfora,
We are a student group from Clarkstown South Highschool, and we are currently working on a National History Day project regarding the Kent State shootings. We understand that you were present during this time, and we were wondering if it would be possible to schedule an interview with you at your leisure.
We can either be reached at this email address.
Thank you,
Laurel A.
Katrina C.
Veronica H.
Eric L.
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January 30, 2007:
Hello! My name is Jordan and I'm a junior in high school in Kansas. Junior projects are big here and I have decided to talk about the Kent State massacre. An interview over the phone with you would be great and would really add to me project. I have a short deadline and need to know as soon as possible if you would be up to give an interview. The interview would not have to be done right away, I just need to know if you are willing to set up a time to answer some questions. Thanks for your time.
Jordan
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January 28, 2007:
Hello, Mr. Canfora. My name is Robin and I'm a 9th grader at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. My National History Day project is about May 4, 1970. Your website has been a great deal of help to me in your research but there is just one thing that I would like to ask you. Seeing as how hindsight is 20/20, would you have attended the rally on May 4 if you would have known that your life and the lives of others were in danger? I guess what I mean to ask is if you regret attending that rally. Was it worth all that you have had to endure because of it?
I'm sure you receive many emails and if you don't have time to answer this, that is fine and I understand completely. My project is due February 7, 2007. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Robin
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January 23, 2007:
hey me and my borther are doing a history day project on the Kent state
massacre. We need an interview for it too. So we were wonderingd if you
could answer a couple questions for us.
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January 23, 2007:
Hi,
Hi,
Our names are Allie and Melissa. We are 8th grade honor students at Rudder Middle School in San Antonio, Texas, and we are working on a History Fair project. Our topic is the Kent State Shooting and we would like to know if you would consider doing an email interview for us.
Thank you,
Allie & Melissa
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January 22, 2006:
Mr. Canfora-
My name is Lauren and I am a 9th grade student in Harrisburg PA. I am doing my National History Day Project on the Kent State tragedy and it's legacy. The deadline for my project is February 5th 2007, two weeks from now.
I would be so honored and grateful if you would contribute your first hand knowledge and expertise to my project. I came up with a list of 5 questions and would be happy to receive short response answers from you if you can find the time.
My 5 questions are:
1.) How did the Kent State tragedy change your parents’ generation view about their government, The Vietnam War and their children’s protesting of injustice?
2.) When you stood in plain view with flag raised in front of the armed guardsman, did you not feel that they would actually fire upon you? What was going through your mind at the time?
3.) Looking back, now that you are the age of many of your parents generation at the time of the Kent State tragedy, can you understand why many of them may have been frightened by the vandalism and property destruction and violence that accompanied some of the protest demonstrations? Do you regret any of the actions your generation took back in those days?
4.) The youth of your generation seemed committed to pointing out and protesting social injustice. How do you feel then when you see so many apathetic young people today?
5.)What do you see as the legacy of the Kent State tragedy?
Thank you in advance. I admire you for your dedication to your beliefs and your country.
Lauren, Age 14
Harrisburg PA
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JANUARY 21, 2007;
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Max and i am in 7th grade and and my partner and i are doing a report on the shooting at kent state.
We were hopping that if time premmited for you we would be greatful to do an interview with you over the phone.
Our project is do in the middle of febuary and if you could get back to us that would be great.
pretty much any time would be good for us.
We would really apreciate this if you could talk to us about your expirence in those 13 seconds and how you felt about all of this. ( we just watched the video you were in about the shooting, it was a sad but well done video. )
Thank you very much
P.s my geography teacher said we would get an A if we did this and i think it would be amazing to talk to you about this and your thoughts.
thanks again
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January 18, 2007:
Hi Alan,
This is Sara and Ashley. You may remember, we interviewed you for our project last year. You were very informative, so this year we were hoping you could answer a question for us to add to the previous interview.
How do you feel Kent State relates to the topic - triumph and tragedy?
If you could reply back, that would be great. Our project is due Monday, January 22nd. Thank you so much! We really appreciate it.
Sara & Ashley
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January 13, 2007:
i was just wondering what did u do during the kent state gassing and shots fired what were u doing when all shots were fired
Christina, im a 11th grader at ghs
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January 11, 2007:
Hello,
We are a group of students that are working on a history project. We have chosen the Kent State Massacre, and have found your web page. It would be very cool if we could have the privilege to have an inside opinion from a person who was actually there while the event was occuring. We have many questions but your website said to keep it short. We would love any details you could provide. Thanks.
-Robin, Jamal, Chelsea, & Tyler
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January 11, 2007:
I am doing a History Day project about the Kent State Massacre. If
possible, my group would like to record an interview with you to use in
our documentary. Our projects are due in mid February, so an interview in
late January or early February would be great. You may contact me and we
can set up an exact date and time for a phone interview. Thank You.
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January 11, 2007:
Hello my name is Chelsea. I am a student at Minneapolis South High in Minnesota. My teacher has assigned us to do History Day and I chose the topic May 4th Shootings at Kent State. I would really appreciate it if you could help me out, by possibly sending me information that you have. I would love it if you helped me, and I'm sure my project will be even more fabulous if you do. Please e-mail me back, Thank You.
Chelsea.
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January 7, 2007:
mr.canfora i was wondering if my history day partners and i could get an interview with you maybe over the phone for our primary source for history day thankyou talk to you later i hope
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January 6, 2007:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Emma, I am from Westchester County, NY, and I am in 11th grade. This past summer, I visited Kent State with my USY group, and had the opportunity to meet you as my guide. Prior to my arrival, I had never heard of the terrible May 4th events. I was so impressed and moved by what I learned that I have chosen to pursue a research project on the history of student protests culminating into the tragedy at Kent State (due January 19th). As an eyewitness, I would value your contribution to my paper. Please let me know how you prefer to work. I will be happy to accommodate whatever format is acceptable to you.
thank you,
Emma
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January 3, 2007:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Katie and I am doing a group performance for National History Day about the aftermath of the Kent State shootings. We found at one of our run-throughs that we came up a little short on time, and were forced to add another scene. Unfourtunately, our project is due January 9th. If you have time, we were wondering if you could send us a list of where the people who were injured at the shootings are now. This would provide us with an ending to our performanced. If this is too short of a notice, I apologize for taking your time. Thank you also for your website. It has been very helpful in our research.
Sincerely,
Katie
10th grade, Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, OH
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December 28, 2007:
Dear, Mr. Canfora
Hello, I am a junior in high school and I am doing a report for a school paper regarding the Kent State Tragedy.I am the only one in my whole school who chose this topic as my investigative research paper and I need a first person point of view and I am having a hard time finding one. I was wondering if you might send me one. I hope you can . So I might be able to inform my school about what happened on May 4, 1970. Thank you
Sincerely
Miss. Phillips
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December 27, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
I am an eigth grade student at Mount Vernon Middle School. I am doing my History Day project on the Kent State Affair. As a participant I would greatly appreciate your perspective on the event. I have a couple of questions that might help me to better understand the event. 1. Phillip Caputo, in his recent book, 13 Seconds, compared Kent State to the Boston Massacre, do you think it was a valid comparison? 2. What should a younger generation learn from the Kent State Affair? I appreciate any thoughts you might have on these questions.
Thank You
Heather
Mount Vernon Middle School 8th grade
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December 22, 2006:
hi my name is eddie. I am doing a NHD project and i need some help. I am doing the kent state massacre. I am doing a documentary which has alot of pictures and info. if you had any info or pictures that could help me and my partner it would be verry nice of you. We only have 2 months befour its due. if ours is good we could got to state then natonals. Thank you
From eddie
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December 22, 2006:
Dear Alan,
I am from Eau Claire, WI and I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions or even do an over the phone interview. I was also looking at your website and saw that you do a bunch of NHD things on your website. Email me back ASAP.
Thanks Again,
Nick
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December 22, 2006:
Hi my name is adam and I am doing a nhd project and I need to find some body I can interview on this subject. I am doing a documentry, And I only have two months left. Please e-mail me.
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December 22, 2006:
Dear Mr.Canfora,
My partner and I would like to know if we can hold an interview with you
for our history day project which is on The Kent State Shootings. We live
in Texas so would it be possible to have a phone interview? Please email
back asap.
Thank You,
Elizabeth And Amy
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December 20, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
I am a junior at Pine View School for the Gifted in Sarasota, Fl. In
my American history class we were assigned to do the National History
Fair for part of our semester grade. My friends and I decided to a
group project on the Kent State shootings and would love your help. I
visited your website and saw that you had already helped with this
project a number of times so I hope this not too much trouble. I
think it would really make our project better if we could set up some
type of interview with you and hear what you have to say. My father
actually graduated from Kent in 1980 so I have some first hand
knowledge of the school but your experience was obviously completely
different from anyone else. I find the events of May 4th to be one of
the most interesting topics in American History. I have read every
article online I could find and I really think your help would make
our project truly great. I would love to hear back from you to try to
set some type of interview.
Thank you for your time,
Zeke
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December 11, 2006:
Dear. Canfora,
I am a freshman at my high school and i have choosen to do my history fair project on the Kent State Shootings of May 4th, 1970. I live in Florida and have found someone who has volunteered to do an interview with me to give me more insite on this subject. The thing is she attended Kent State the fall after it reopened so she will only be able to provide me with some of the events that occured directly after or because of the shootings. I also wanted to find someone who had actually participated in the protestings and in the fatal shootings at Kent State so i did some searching and came across your website. I am hoping that you can give me some type of insite into these matters and that i will have a better understanding of what it felt like to be in the students shoes on the days leading up to and the day of the shootings. I am deeply interested in this subject and if you could possibly email me back that would be terrific! My project is not due until later this winter but if at all possible i would love to be emailed back within the next two weeks or so as to ensure enough time to figure out the details of my project. I thank you for you time and hope that you can give me some insite into those days. Thanks!
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December 1, 2006:
mr. canfora,
i would like to thank you for all of the help our local history fair was today and we did great! I just recently got back from the awards ceremony and we placed 4th out of 15. The top four go to regionals so we will be making improvements and hopefully advancing from there. i will be sending you a picture of the exhibit and our group as soon as i recieve it from my teacher. Thanks once again. And if you do not mind the group will probably be in touch with you once more to recieve more information about May 4. Thanks once again
Kassi
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November 27, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
I told my groupmates about the possible dates for the interview and they said it would be fine. When I talked to one of the teachers in charge of helping us with our project she said it would be awesome if they could sit in on the interview. But I couldn't get a date we could do the interview because one of the teachers involved in the National History Day projects was out sick today. I will try to get a date to you by this coming Sunday. We are trying our best to pick a date quickly because many people may want to get an interview as well, but we want to give you a fair heads-up so both you and my group can prepare for the interview. Thank you for being so patient, our whole group has very busy schedules so we have to find a day that works for all of us, including our teachers.
Thanks Again, Courtney
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Mr. Canfora,
My name is Douglas and I am a junior in Steelton, Pennsylvania. I am currently working on a project for National History Day on the events at Kent State on May 4, 1970. I was hoping to get a first-hand account from you about that day. My teachers are really stressing primary sources for this project and I think your own account of what happened would be a great addition to the project. The finished projects are due February 12. I saw on your website you're not really into e-mailing, and to tell the truth, neither am I, but right now I'm unable to call. If it would be possible it would be great to schedule an over-the-phone interview soon. If you could e-mail me now with some information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Douglas
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October 16, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
During my research for my National History Day Project(www.nhd.org), I
came upon your name on several sites which stated that you were one of
the leading experts on what happened on May 4th, and the subsequent
aftereffects. I was wondering if you would possibly be interested in
doing an interview, in order for me to further my research either
electronically, or over the phone as you website mentioned. My project
is due in late November.
Sincerely,
Michael
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September 17, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Lauren. I live in Houston, Texas and I attend Stephen F. Austin High School as a senior. I am working on a National HIstory Day project dealing withe the Kent State shootings and their impact on history. Your name has come up during my group's research process and we would like to get in contact with you to further discuss the topic and ask a few questions we have. I would greatly appreciate if you could get in contact with me at this e-mail address about a possible interview for my project.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Lauren
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August 20, 2006:
Hello Alan,
Im sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but it has been a hard thing for me to do. let me start by telling you what happened at the state contest.There was one other Kent State exhibit, and when she saw the pictures of the campus and of you, she couldn't believe that i got to meet you, and see the campus, i responded by telling her that was the best part of this project, seeing kent and getting to meet you.
I went on to do my interview. while the judges were impressed with my paperwork, they didn't like a few things about the exhibit, and they kept coming back to them during the interview,for example, the fact that the students side was so researched, and the guardsmens side was not. I explained there silence, and how hard it is to get their story.In the end, i ended up not placing, and going home crushed. i had very biased judges which was not fair. After state, i spent a long time avoiding my kent state things, anything that reminded me of all the work i put into it, and the way i was robbed.
a few weeks ago, my family and i attended the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young concert titled, "freedom of speech". it wasn't till that night, when i heard Neil Young Sing the song Ohio, i realized that i will never forget kent, and all the things that it means to me and what i have learned from it since then i have continued my research, and feel bad for letting a silly thing like the history day contest come between myself and the things i want to be involved in. Kent State has helped me understand the way i want to live my life, and i wanted to thank you again for helping me see that.
You may live across the country, you have been a major role model in my life and will continue to be.
Thank you again,
Katie
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July 4, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Your knowledge and dedication to the Kent State Shootings have helped
so many people, including me, to understand just what happened that day. I
would like to take this time to give you one final thanks. Unfortunately, I
did not win at Pennsylvania State History Day.
Without your help, I am sure that my project would have not even been a competitor at the state
competition. Thank you so very much for your help, and please keep on
helping other students with their projects. Having an eyewitness like you is
such an advantage with a project. THANK YOU.
Sincerely,
Eamon
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June 18, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
We wanted to thank you again for your assistance with our history fair project. Our group exhibit on the Vietnam War College Protests placed third in the Nation! Our project will now go on display in our hometown.
We definitely learned a lot from this project and your help to us was invaluable. We thank you for taking the time to help educate us and enable us to represent a very important time in our Nation's history.
I am attaching a picture of the four of us from the National History Day ceremony and a picture of our board. From left to right is Marlee, Karsyn, Mary, and me (Kaitlyn). Thanks again for all your help.
Kaitlyn, Marlee, Karsyn and Mary
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June 9, 2006:
Hi Mr. Canfora,
We are the girls that called you a long time ago and told you that we were doing a performance. Well we did the performance and we made it to the finals of the district competition. Many people had been saying we would make it really far because of all of our primary sources (we ended up getting more than just people from Kent State.) But there is a school in our district called Denver school of The Arts. the only reason why we didn't go on is they say everthing was perfect except that our National Guard seemed very stiff and nervous...only because of our acting. so we ended up not going to state which really shocked us because everyone had said all these great things about it. Anyway we just wanted to let you know that we did tape it and we will be able to send it to you if you are still interested but i have seemed to lost the email where you told me what address to send it to. If still interested just send me and the address and we will try to get the tape to you!
Thanks for all of your help!! We couldn't have done a lot without you!!
Grace, Rachel and Marelle
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June 9, 2006:
Dear Alan,
My name is Mariette. I am in 10th grade at Fairview Highschool in Boulder, Colorado. I have e-mailed you before, telling you about my project on the Kent State Massacre for National History Day. Our performance has placed first in the school, region, and the state of Colorado.
Tomorrow we leave for Washington D.C. for the national competition! Our performance begins with our narrator, a national guardsman, stating that it's April 30th, 1970. Then, myself and Justin P, who are playing the parts of Sandra Scheuer and Jeff Miller, discuss the war in Vietnam The performance goes on so that the audience gets to know Allison Krause and Barry Levine.
At the end of the performance, it is the day of the massacre. Some characters show their points of view for being worried about the violence, and some show their aggression towards the government and National Guardsmen. The shooting occurs, and Sandra, Jeff, and Allison fall.
Our performance ends with a monologue about what events followed the massacre, and each character tells how they took a stand. We play the song "Ohio" in the background. We want to thank you for inspiring our performance and helping us get this far in the NHD competition. It has opened our eyes to how grateful we are that the draft has not been re enacted for this war in Iraq.
Thank you again,
Mariette
Josh
Justin
Anahita
Vignesh
----
June 8, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
We exchanged emails a few months ago as I was preparing information for a school History Day project. I went on to make a documentary about the Kent State shootings and won the District 3 Ohio History Day competition. With the first place win, I participated in the State level History Day competition, which was held just this past weekend. I won there also and am now a finalist for the National History Day to be held in Washington DC.
I wanted to thank you for the information that you sent me. It helped a great deal. I would like to send you a copy of my DVD that won the Ohio State History Day competition as a way of saying thank you.
I would also like to ask you, once again, for your help and I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome. My teachers at school say I need to improve my documentary for competition at the National level. To be honest with you, I don't know how I can improve on it, except maybe in one area….pictures. The pictures I'm using I got off of the internet, such as historical societies, KSU, the may 4, 1970 archives, etc. Most of these pictures are black and white and are of poor quality. I'd like to ask you for two things. One, do you have any good quality pictures of the related events that I could scan for inclusion in my documentary (downtown Kent, the ROTC building, the Commons, the Victory Bell, rallies, protests, etc). And two, could I visit you, at your convenience, and get a personal interview to ask 2 or 3 questions to include in the documentary?
The documentary is limited to 10 minutes and I am almost at the limit now. But, there are a few things here and there that I can remove and put in an interview with you about your personal story, events that led up to the shootings, and the feelings that followed after that.
If you could send me your address, I'll send you a copy of the DVD.
Thanks once again for your contribution already,
Tarek
----
June 7, 2006:
GREAT news! My group has made it to Nationals in Washington D.C. with the Kent State theme with our model. we thank you much again for the assistance and we will keep you updated once we reach washington. we leave this coming sunday. we are the first from our district to ever come close to nationals in the entire history of National History Day and so now not only did we come close, but we are going!
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June 2, 2006:
Hello Alan, this is Chelsea, we spoke a couple of weeks ago, and I mentioned that I would send you some photos of my completed project before taking off to Maryland in about a week or so. Well it has been a wonderful experience and even if I don't win, I am proud that I put this much effort and made it this far. Once again, thank you so much for helping me your information helped me a great deal and I thank you very much. Here are some photos.
Wish me luck in Maryland! Thank you,
-Chelsea
---
May 31, 2006:
Hey Alan!!
It's Michele, Sarah, Tricia, and Lauren and we got third place at our State National History Day competition!!!! It was on May 6, sorry to tell you so late.
We would also like your address so we can send you a copy!
Email back,
Michele, Sarah, Tricia, and Lauren
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May 10, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Hi my name is Paige and I am writing a research paper on the Anti-War Movement during Vietnam for my history class and i was hoping you would be able to answer a few questions for me concerning the events at Kent State, if its not too much trouble.
What was your biggest reason for taking part in the protests at kent state?
What was running through your head during the protests? How did these thoughts impact your actions?
Looking back do you stand by what you did? any regrets? Do you feel your goal was accomplished?
Thank you for your time! Paige
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May 10, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
I thought you might like to see the article that was in the Baytown Sun newspaper about the Texas State History Fair. Thanks again for all your help and I'll let you know how we do at the National History competition next month.
There will be public viewing for the exhibits at the University of Maryland, College Park on June 12th from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 pm, June 13th from 7-9 p.m. and again on June 14th from 9 am - 5 p.m. if you know of anyone that wants to come see it.
Kaitlyn
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May 10, 2006:
This is my project that I have made for the New Jersey National History Day. I played "Ohio" the song for them and an excerpt of your interview, which they were impressed that I was able to contact you. I will be competing in the National Competition in Maryland.
----
May 3, 2006:
Amanda B. sent a message using the contact form at
http://alancanfora.com/?q=contact.
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Thank you for maintaining a website about the Kent State tragedy. We
relied heavily on it for our history day project performance. We are
performing at the Oklahoma States History Day competition on Friday. My
brother, Stuart is playing you in the play. He has grown his hair long in
an attempt to look like you.
I know this is short notice but, we would like to ask you some questions.
How would you answer this question?
How does the topic related to the theme? Taking a Stand in America.
We wrote:
These people took a "Stand in History" by protesting against the Was in
Vietnam and the drafting of young men into war without the right to vote.
The stand they took at Kent State resulted in four lost lives, nine others
were wounded. We believe the "Stand" taken by these youne students was
significant and topical with the war in Iraq and is as controversial as
the issues in today's society. Our country is divided by the pros and
cons on the war in Iraq as we were in the war in Vietnam.
Do you agree? Can you shed some light on the subject? What are your
thought?
Also, what were you saying (profanity included) while you held that flag?
What were you feeling and thinking at that moment in time?
Thank you again,
Amanda B.
----
May 2, 2006:
Dear Alan,
Thank you once again for all of your help with our documentary. We couldnt have done it without you. We competed in our state competition yesterday, and we are going to nationals!!!!! Do you have any words of advice? Also, we were thinking, and since we used your interview in our documentary, would you be interested in a copy of our project? Thanks again!
-Emily and Morgan!
----
April 30, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
This is Trevor and I wanted to let you know how our History Day
project did at State History Day. We finished among the six finalists.
We did not get chosen to advance to National History Day in Maryland. We
were disappointed but we think we did our best. We do get to show our
Keota School Board our project and talk about the interview we did with
you. Again thanks for taking time to help us.
Trevor.
----
April 29, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
I am doing a National History Day project on Kent State and would like to schedule an interview with you.
Please e-mail me back if and when you are available. It must be before May 4th, as that is the date of the
competition. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Allegra
----
April 10, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
We just wanted to let you know that we made it to state NHD! State is on May first. We just wanted to thank you for all of your help. Our project wouldn't be the same without your imput! Thanks again!
--Emily and Morgan
----
April 10, 2006:
Hi my name’s Kurtis. And a partner and i need some info on the kent state anti- war movement. We are doing a video presentation and conducting interviews for a school project and need some more info. We saw you were a victim and were apart of the event and we were wondering if you could give us a contact number so we could ask you some questions about the incident.
Thanks Kurtis
----
April 10, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora
My name is vicki i am doing a history project on the kent state disaster. it would would be so incredible not just for my project but for me as a person if you could contact me with your side of the story.
thank you for your time please
----
April 5, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Hi. My name is Amy. I wrote a paper for National History Day on Kent State. With the help of information the university sent me I won at the regional level.
Before going to states, I would like to improve my paper by including a telephone interview with someone who was there on May 4, 1970.
I was hoping you would be able to give me a telephone interview, or even an e-mail interview, about your experiences as a protest leader and one of the people who got shot. At most, it would take about 20 minutes. If you can do this, that's great, but if you can't don't worry about it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this e-mail.
Amy
P.S. We have to submit our entries by April 11.
----
April 5, 2006:
Dear KM4C,
I am a high school student and I recently learned about the riot at Kent
State. I am sincerely bewildered and infuriated at the irresponsible
actions of the National Gaurd. What they did was inexcusable and
permanently damaging to those left with their son's/daughter's/best
friend's dead body. I agree with the contents of this web page as saying
that the memory of that day and those four students whose lives were so
cruelly grasped from them should not be forgotten. I am curious to know
if you knew and of them personally; if you knew what they were like. It
would be beneficial to many of my peers to know that these students were
real and that is something to take seriously so that we may be aware of
this and learn from it. If you have any relations or if you know anything
about the students that did not live past that day, please respond to this.
Thank you for your time,
Emily
----
April 3, 2006:
katie sent a message using the contact form at
http://alancanfora.com/?q=contact.
my name is katie and I am doing a history fair project on people taking
stands and I chose Disaster at Kent State.
I think this photo of you shows a lot of courage. I don't think I would
ever do that, so seeing you take that stand really wows me.
----
March 27, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
I wanted to thank you again for your assistance with my history fair project. After placing first at a school level in both categories I entered (individual website and group exhibit) I competed at the regional level this past weekend. Both my entries took first place at regionals and I now go onto the state competition which will be held the last weekend in April.
I really appreciate the time you took to answer my questions and help me better understand what happened at Kent State. I plan to continue my research and talk with as many people as I can who were at Kent State during that period of time. If there is anyone else that you know who would be willing to talk with me, please let me know. Also, if you would like to see a picture of my exhibit I can e-mail you one.
Thanks again,
Kaitlyn
----
March 27, 2006:
Thank you so much for all the help with Kent State, I got 1st in NHD, and I and going to state. I have talked to my teacher about What I can to to impress the judges at state, and he said that you get bonus pts. if you have an interview ,email, phone, or face to face ,so I was hoping that you could maybe awnser these questions for me?
When do u think was the snapping point, when the National Gaurd, and everyone else had enough of the protesting?
Did you know anybody who had gotten shot, (or even had a conversation with one of the guards)?
Who do you think was in the wrong, and why?
I would be very happy if you would do this for me, thank you! –Alex
----
Mar 25, 2006
Mr. Canfora,
I want to take a second to say thank you for the interview this morning. It was very helpful and our project means more to us now that we have spoken to you. I have included a photo of Sean, Casey, and myself. Our state history day is April 24, in Des Moines. I will e-mail you to let know of the results. Thanks again
----
Mar 26, 2006
Dear Alan,
Over the past couple of months, I have participated in National History Day. During that time, I sent several e-mails to you asking for help. Without your responses, I would have had several disadvantages with my project. This e-mail is to thank you for your help. Without you and your site, my project would not have been what it was. Thank you very much!!
-Dylan S.
----
March 25, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
We received 3rd place!!! We will now go on to compete with the rest of the Regional winners from Pennsylvania. 32 other students from our Middle School, Holicong, will move on with us to Penn State University to compete on the 10th and 11th of May. We are ecstatic at having received this award and wanted to just thank you again for all that you have done and helped us with! Thank you again!
Best Regards,
Christine and Becky
----
Mar 25, 2006
Mr. Canfora,
I want to take a second to say thank you for the interview this morning. It was very helpful and our project means more to us now that we have spoken to you. I have included a photo of Sean, Casey, and myself. Our state history day is April 24, in Des Moines. I will e-mail you to let know of the results. Thanks again.
Trevor D.
--
Alan,
My name is Perri and I am Trevor's father. I hope it was alright with you that a few parents listened to you speaking with the boys. I took a photo and am attaching it so that you can put faces to boy's names. I think it was great that you could take time from your weekend to talk with them. They were really nervous but were put to ease once they started. They are very antsy boys, but they really sat still and paid attention to what you were saying. Thank you very much.
In the picture the boys are sitting left to right, Trevor, Sean, Casey.
Perri D.
----
Mar 23, 2006
Dear Alan Canfora,
We were wondering if you would be avilable for a phone interview for our Kent State Project . We took first place at National History Day and now we are going to the state competition. We feel that you would be a great source to add to our project and we would appreciate if we could conduct this interview within the next week or so. We have until April 8 because that is when State is so if you could respond quickly it would be much appreciated.
Thank You,
Ashley
----
Mar 22, 2006
Dear Mr. Alan Canfora,
We would like to set up a phone interview with you sometime within the next two weeks (by April 1st). We are two 8th grade students from Washington State and are working on a National History Day project about how the Kent State massacre took a stand. We think that your perspective would be very useful in our documentary. We would really appreciate your time. We look forward to talking to you. Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Rachel and Adriel :-)
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Mar 21, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Iris. My friend Sarah and I are doing
our History day project on the events at Kent State in 1970. we have made it to regional competition and are trying to improve our project so we can move on to State and hopefully even Nationals. In order to improve our project we would like to schedule a phone or email interview with you. The regional competition is on Saturday March 25. We are sorry for the short notice but, if you can do an interview contact us for a phone interview. Thank you very much and even if we don't get an interview, your website helped us greatly on improving our project.
Thanks,
Iris and Sarah
----
Mar 21
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Iris. My friend Sarah and I are doing our History day project on the events at Kent State in 1970. we have made it to regional competition and are trying to improve our project so we can move on to State and hopefully even Nationals. In order to improve our project we would like to schedule a phone or email interview with you. The regional competition is on Saturday March 25. We are sorry for the short notice but, if you can do an interview contact us for a phone interview. Thank you very much and even if we don't get an interview, your website helped us greatly on improving our project.
Thanks, Iris and Sarah
----
Mar 19, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Abby. I am a student at Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas. I am currently working on a documentary for National History Day and have chosen the events at Kent State in 1970 as my topic. The project is due April 22nd and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me.
According to some historians, students changed their reason for protesting from ending the war to the issue of the National Guard on campus. On May 4th, did many students that you knew change their reason for protesting from the war to the National Guard? Were the actions you took on May 4th in response to both the war and the National Guard? Was the National Guard presence the most prominent reason for your actions? What were your reactions to the events that occurred on the Jackson State campus?
I appreciate your time in answering these questions and hope it is not too bothersome.
Sincerely,
Abby
----
Feb 25, 2006
Dear Mr.Canfora,
My name is David and my group would like to ask you some questions for History Day. Can you please call us at 1o'clock next Saturday March 4 2006? Please send a response if you can call us or not. Thanks for taking the time to read our e-mail.
Sincerely,
David Miller
----
Mar 18, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
This Saturday, the 25th of March is the competition. We will inform you of how we do and if you would like more information on National History Day or the competitors and such the main website is http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/. Thank you once again for everything! Our tri-fold has many of the things you said and has helped spread the emotion of that day!
Best Regards,
Christine and Becky
----
Mar 17, 2006
Mr. Canfora,
I wanted to tell you that my project made 5th place at the District History Fair. Unfortunately, you had to place 1st or 2nd to move on to state, so I won't be going to that.
thanks again,
Alex L.
Tallahassee, Florida
8th grade
----
Mar 13, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
We are pleased to tell you that we won first place in the National History Day competition at Penn State. Since we won, we will be moving on to States competition at the main campus of Penn State on May 10th and 11th. We would like to thank you for all your help in this project. We may need to call and ask a couple more questions for more primary resources. We thank you for your time.
Thankfully,
Tierney
and
Ciara
----
Mar 9, 2006
We will call you this Saturday, around 11 or 11:30. It will be recorded so we can use it in our documentary. We have included the questions we will ask so you can be prepared. Thanks very much for your time.
1. Why were you at the protest?
2. Why were you so involved in the protest?
3. Who were you angry at?
4. What was your logic for confronting the National Guard?
5. At what point did the focus of the protests change from Vietnam and the draft to the National Guard occupation?
6. What changes were there around campus after and during protests?
7. Did feelings toward Vietnam change?
8. What do you feel changed after Kent State?
9. Did you experience any harassment after Kent State?
10. Did it change anyone's mind (age groups) about Vietnam?
Sincerely,
Alyssa D and Shari H
----
Jan 25, 2006
hello Mr. Alan Canfora,
my name is angie- i attend Lynden High School, in Lynden, Washington. i am doing a report documentary on the Kent State incident that will be presented in a competition called National History Day. This documentary can NOT be biased. I seem to be having a difficult time finding information on people who felt that the National Guardsmen at the site were necessary. I most definitely have not completely looked over your site - there is so much information - but i thought if you had some specific help ideas, that would be wonderful. Also, primary sources look SO great on the annotated bibliography required for this competition. If you know of any really good primary sources that would be another great help.
Thank you so much.
this would be an immense help - thank you again for your time (please write back)
----
Mar 3, 2006
Hello Dr. Canfora:
I am an Honors World History Teacher in California who is working with students on a history day project which requires many primary sources. One particular group is studying the Kent State Tragedy and would like to speak with professors at Kent State who are knowledgeable on this topic. We are also seeking eye witness accounts by contacting and interviewing students or faculty who were on campus on that day May 4, 1970. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We are also in contact with Kent State and Ohio State University
Could you please also forward any responses to the lead student: Monica R…
Dennis D. P., MA, MEA
Teacher
----
Mar 6
Dear Alan,
The results are in, and the judge came to the conclusion..., Stacia and my self, are amazing. The best thing that the judge has seen in his 25 years of judging National History Day. This guy told us we were amazing, which we were with your help. Thank you so much for all you did for us. I will keep you posted on our progress, Missouri State National History Day, April 8, 2006! (oh, by the way, we got first at regionals! we were AWESOME!!!!)
Thank you,
Ashley ( & Stacia)
----
Mar 6, 2006
Hello,
My name is Matthew. I am a sophmore at Homestead Highschool in
Mequon, Wisconsin. For one of my school projects I chose to do the Kent State affair of May 4th, 1970. I have researched the topic for the past few months and now only need an interview to complete the paper. I was wondering if we could schedule a phone interview, preferably as soon as you are available to complete one. Thank you very much for reading this e-mail and I look forward to hearing from you
----
Mar 5, 2006
Dear Alan,
I doubt you will remember me, but we spoke a number of years ago when you were helping my daughter Elisabeth with her History Day project regarding the events of May 4 at Kent State University. She had a wonderful experience with that project...actually our whole family did.
In any event, I have been meaning to write to you for a few months now to let you know that Elisabeth is now a freshman at Kent State. Wow, it has been a number of years, as I think she was in 6th grade when she did that project. She has had an affinity for KSU since then and it was ultimately her college of choice. She is an art major, getting all A's, and is absolutely loving her college experience. Her work was recently on display as part of an art show, which is rare for a freshman I guess.
I just wanted to say hello, and thank you for helping Elisabeth so much with her project, and being such an influence in her decision of where to attend college. We left it very open to her where she could go, but I have to confess I was thrilled she chose someplace so close by. Its far enough away from Cleveland to be "away at school," but close enough that we can see her occasionally without too much difficulty. I think of you every time I drive past the memorial, which is every time I visit her. She tells me she walks by there daily on her way to classes...
At the KSU parent orientation, my only question to the students running it was whether they were aware of what took place at Kent before the were even born, and the historical significance of those days. I was very impressed with their response, and their respect for those events. I am sure you have had a great deal to do with that.
Again my thanks, for your help in the past...
Liz
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Mar 4, 2006
Dear Alan Canfora,
My name is Benedetta and I am doing a History Day project on the Kent State shootings and I would like to interview you. It could be done over the phone or via email, whichever works best for you. If you are not available for an interview until after February 1st, could you please recommend people who might be available for one? Please respond as soon as possible.
Sincerely, Benedetta
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Mar 3, 2006
Mr. Canfora,
My name is Lauren Winston, and I am writing a senior paper/dissertation on the Kent State shootings (due April 20). I found your site, and I was wondering if I could schedule a phone interview with you. Please let me know when a good time would be for you to schedule one.
Thank You,
Lauren W., Spring Hill College
----
Mar 3, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Hi this is Alex from New Trier. I talked with you earlier in the year about possibly doing an over the phone interview for my history class. We are doing a documentary about the Kent Sate Shootings and were hoping that you would be available this saturday for an interview. If this is ok please just send your phone number and the time that would be best for us to call you. Preferabley morning to afternoon would be best. Thank you so much. Also we are planning to use this interview in our documentary so we would be recording the interview. Is that alright with you? Thanks so much!
~Alex~
----
Mar 2
Hi, my name is Mike. I am currently in the process of making a project about the Kent State incident, and would like to interview you via telephone. Please respond back to this email and possibly give a time to call you. The deadline for the project is March 28th, 2006. But I must complete a draft of the final project by March 15th, 2006. Please allow for a possible interview before this date.
Thank you and I hope to hear back from you soon,
Mike
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Mar 2, 2006
Mr. Canfora,
We are students from Wilson Middle School in Muncie , Indiana and we would like to have a phone interview with you. We are doing a project for National History Day on Kent State and you would make a good primary source. Our project is due on March 10th. If possible we would like to interview you before March 1st. Please send us an e-mail along with your answer. If it is not possible for you to contact us we would be fine with asking you questions in an e-mail. The number we would like you to contact us on is our teacher's room phone number...
Thank you for your time and cooperation,
Kayleigh and Jessica
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Mar 2, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
I am working on a History Day project on the events that happened at Kent State University on May 4,
1970. I came across your website while I was researhing and I saw that you were willing to give over
the phone interviews. I was wondering if we could set up an interview for Tuesday March 7th. Any
time between 12:20 and 2:15 would work for me if that fits into your schedule. I also wanted to
mention that I made it to state for History Day and the state competition is on April 22nd. When you
email back, please give me your phone number and a time that will work for you.
Thanks,
Alex
8th grade, Reno Valley Middle School, Nickerson, KS
*I am using my teacher's school e-mail
----
Mar 1, 2006
Dear Mr. Alan,
My name is Jenny. I would like to ask you a few questions about the massacre. I'm a student and im curious.. Why was this event so important? Why is this event so important and what caused it? What did people think about this event? Were there different opinions? What affect did it have on world, U.S or people? PLease e-mail me a.s.a.p.
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Mar 1, 2006
I am a 6th grade student and me and my partner are doing the Kent State shootings for our National History Day project. We would like to ask you some questions to use in our documentary.
1) Why did you taught the guardsmen with a BLACK flag? What did it symbolize??
2) Did the shootings make you more conscious about expressing your personal views on politics and war?
3) Were you heavily linked to any of the students that were killed during the shootings on May 4, 1970?
4) Have you contributed in many anti-war demonstrations since the demonstrations at Kent State?
5) Would you agree that most of the demonstrations such as the trashing of route 59 were political?
6) What year of college were you in on May 4, 1970?
7) Do you think that the guards over reacted??
8) What was your reason for protesting??
9) What grade were you in on May 4, 1970?
10) Do you think that the protesting changed anyone’s opinion on President Nixon's decisions?
11) How do you think the protesting changed our lives today?
12) What did your parents think when you got injured?
13) If they changed their opinion on the guardsmen what was it changed to?
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Feb 27
Dear Mr. Canfora,
My name is Quinn, and I am a thirteen year old boy. My four friends and I are doing a group performance based on the Kent State shootings, so I would like to do a phone interview with you to get some information. As you were present at the shootings (and were shot by the National Guard), you would make a very good primary resource.
District competition is March 17, and since today is February 27, you can see that my friends and I have gotten to a late start. What with sports, school projects (We are doing history day outside of school, it isn't required for seventh graders), and practice for the upcoming school play, it has been extremely hard to get started. Nevertheless, we would still love to do History Day. Whatever time works best for you is when we would like to do the interview, but we were hoping we could do it this week. As we live in Wheatland, Wyoming, we also have to take time zones into consideration. I believe you interviewed a friend of mine last year, Stephane, and it was her and my sixth grade teacher from last year/history day coach this year who gave me the idea to contact you. I would really appreciate it if you would email me back as soon as possible to set up a date when we can interview. Thank you so much for your time.
-Quinn
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Feb 28, 2006
Dear Mr. Canfora,
We are a group involved in the National History Club at C.A. Bouton High School in upstate New York. We are working on a National History Day project and this year's theme is "Standing up in history". Our group has decided to film a documentary on the events of the Kent State demonstrations around May 4, 1970. We were wondering if it would be possible if we could contact you via telephone to be recorded to be used in our film. Your willingness to help would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Allie, Jake, Steven, Bryce & Sarah.
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Feb 15, 2006
Hello Mr. Canfora,
My name is Mollie, I'm a junior in high school and I'm doing a research paper on the shootings at Kent State. I was wondering if I could schedule a phone interview with you. My paper is due March 10th so if we could arrange it anytime after this weekend that would be great.
Thank you so much,
Mollie
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Feb 28, 2006
hello, my name is Ryan from Meigs High School, and I am doing a presentation for national history day, i was wondering just what that day was like for you on a personal note. I want to know if any of your friends were injured or killed or who you knew and their thoughts on that day. thank you
ryan
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Feb 27, 2006:
Mr. Canfora,
My name is Hunter. I am a high school junior at Lexington Christian Academy in Lexington, Kentucky and am writing a research paper for my history class on the events at Kent State on May 4, 1970. I have gathered several primary sources, but I was wondering if you could respond to a few of my questions to help me out with my project as welll as give me a little extra insight. I would be much obliged if you could email your responses to me as soon as possible.
1) Were the protests on May 4th a Good representation of what the campus was like in the days and weeks before?
2)Were the majority of the students at Kent State in favor of the Protests?
3)Did you do or see any individual act that could have provoked the Guardsmen to fire?
4) Do you think that the guards were legitimately threatened?
That is all. Thank you sir,
Hunter
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Feb 25
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Hello, my name is Eamon. Currently, I am in the eighth grade at a small school outside of Philadelphia named
Ancillae-Assumpta Academy.Every year, my school competes in a nation-wide contest called National History Day. This year, the theme for NHD (National History Day) is Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, and Events. I am in the junior division, competing in the historical paper. I have already
submitted my paper for the regional contest, but if i place at regionals, I will go on to compete at states. I am hoping to place at regionals, and if I do, I was hoping to change my paper around. I have a few mistakes I would like to fix, including my lack of sources. I have about 25 sources, which is
definetly not enough to place at states. I was wondering if I could set up a short phone interview with you, somewhere between March 26th and April 20th.
If we could schedule this, I would greatly appreciate it. If I do not place at regionals, I will not need this interview, but I feel that I have a good chance of placing. Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely,
Eamon
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January 15, 2006:
Dear Mr. Canfora,
Danny and I have been judged on our poster. the judges were blown away by the interview. We got the results on Friday. Danny and I are going to regionals. if it weren't for the interview then we would not have made it. I cannot thank you enough. I'll let you know how we did in regionals.
Sincerely,
Robbie T.
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January 9, 2006:
Hi Mr. Canfora!
This is Will from California and I just would like to let you know that my Kent State project for National History Day was chosen as a finalist for my school. I think that my interview with you definitely had an impact on my project and an impact on me. I was very glad you could help me, and I hope that I fullfilled your goal of helping more people understand this event. Thank you very much again for the time you took to help me. I hope all is well with you. -- Will T.
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