Dear New Mexico School Superintendents,
Administrators, and Faculty:

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs invites all New Mexico students, grades 7-12, to exhibit original film and photography in the New Mexico Film Museum. Please share this invitation with your faculty, students, parents and community members.

Deeply rooted in New Mexico's history is a pride in our communities. The leadership and contributions of individual heroes built our state, one community at a time. To highlight New Mexico's history, and in anticipation of our new History Museum, an exhibit of our state's history, " History Through the Eyes of Young New Mexicans," will be presented at the New Mexico Film Museum in Santa Fe in early 2008. A reception honoring the students will follow immediately after the screening.

"Heroes" is the theme of the exhibit, which will include both video and photographic interpretations submitted by New Mexico's middle and high school students. There will be three different exhibits during the calendar year 2008.

As defined by Webster, "hero" is not only "a mythical or legendary figure," but is also "a person admired for his achievements and noble qualities," and "an object of extreme admiration and devotion." The hero stories may be interpreted on film or through photography. These stories may "star" one or more public figures in your community, or may focus on less public individuals such as teachers, grandparents, and neighbors.

Your school is invited to participate in the "History Through the Eyes of Young New Mexicans." There is no entry fee. A jury of filmmakers, historians and educators will screen each submission and choose the best for the exhibit. A form with details on the guidelines and criteria for acceptance into the exhibit is enclosed with this letter, along with application and permission forms. The three completed forms -- Step1, Step 2, and Step 3 -- must accompany each entry.

If you have specific questions, please call me at 505- 820- 0552 or email pamelawpierce@msn.com. We will do our best to provide assistance to you and your students.

Sincerely,
Pamela Pierce, Chairman, Steering Committee
"History through the Eyes of Young New Mexicans"