Happy New Year. In our January e-newsletter, I'd like to share two Boniuk programming updates with you.

The first announces the kick-off of our Sacred Sites Quest (SSQ 2011). We have 25 high school students from almost a dozen high schools throughout greater Houston involved in our SSQ program. They are a multi-faith group, coming from several different religious communities, related organizations and traditions. These students will visit a series of 10 preselected sacred sites across Houston over the next couple months. Then they will collaborate to create some artwork (probably a mural) to be permanently, publicly displayed at one or more sites in the city.

In order to follow the progress of the SSQ, checking in to our Boniuk Center Facebook page is probably the best way to stay current.

We will also post a few other (but fewer) SSQ updates on our BC website, as well.

Secondly, we would like to remind everyone of our Embracing Tolerance Essay Contest for HS students. The contest is described in further detail on our website here. We also have a registration form for potential entrants and answers to some FAQs linked to that page. 

Excitement for the contest is building already. We anticipate scores of essay entries in each of our two HS divisions. As a matter of fact, submissions have already begun arriving at our office. They make for some stimulating, provocative reading. Stay tuned to read excerpts from some of the best of these in the months ahead.

Sincerely, Mike Pardee

Executive Director