Rationale for a Presidents' and First Ladies' Bee

1. Both men and women have made important and valuable contributions to our nation as Presidents and  First Ladies.
2. There are many more opportunities for students to compete in atheletics than in academic areas.  More opportunities need to be created for academic contests.
3. Academic areas need to be made more exciting and can be made so by means of lively contests that attract widespread attention.
4. Children need to be encouraged to want to learn and to learn more than what is contained in the SOL's.
5. Knowledge of our Presidents and First Ladies is an essential part of understanding of our country.
6. Virginia is the Mother of Presidents, and would be a logical state to host a national Presidents' and First Ladies' Bee.  Ohio, another good choice for the contest, is the birthplace of seven Presidents.  Washington, DC, as the capital of the United States and one of the few places that all the Presidents and First Ladies have been to, is still another logical location for the contest.  However, maybe the most logical choice of sites would be at one or more of the Presidential Libraries---there could be a round-robin of libraries that wished to participate.
7. This contest could serve to celebrate Presidents' Day in February and make that day much more meaningful for everyone throughout the United States.