[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6087341,"mediaKeyId","2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7","parentId",2890853,"title","Classroom programs and student challenges aim to reach 50,000 students and train future civic leaders","audioSeconds",650,"startMs",3568000,"endMs",4218000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7&start=3568&end=4218","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7/thumbnail_3568000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087341/Pennsylvania/Classroom-programs-and-student-challenges-aim-to-reach-50000-students-and-train-future-civic-leaders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087341-99a1c7e635f25229572bfd12a52c6387/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971521&Signature=BDBZtBZMb83okhYw7EJu54WZPxM~GsxTQF2dRSWD63Ov6S1Pw6DQC-Cyrc1frezPLmdHmjGYo8iE6N7EuDWB~N-HuUJQYm7Ggm7YJMxhk3uiO3zuhmK31m9OOJ6DRGWYTLIaaYFSVUD2wli2Ln8gq9PcBm4MIZOeto5QoQsNyjFCeJDUTf2Z30UpoNtmG3xUia2~QUPI25Mtch2TemZs8BROGnYJC-F-Ho69L5Gzk~I32MCnTjDYzcNwNFMajmgAQUf7Fix1132i88dvELP3W9hGXAztRZN4-UEPFfcYTOYIVjQJK2tZc4frHqPhhKCR0ZZzVCizNyORE8jKq5Euwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-04-07T16:56:21.75Z","article","Teachers, students and former interns described education programs that the commission says are already reaching tens of thousands of Pennsylvania children and young adults.

Laura Sasek, a second‑grade teacher in Scranton, told the committee that the Keystone Classroom initiative (KCI) brings age‑appropriate reenactments, storytellers and mascots into pre‑K through fourth‑grade classrooms. \"Our learners went wild for the mascots and the swag bag,\" she said, describing the Isaac Tripp Elementary School visit and noting KCI has reached more than 30,000 students and is on track to reach 50,000 by year’s end.

Claire Chi and Andre Castillo described how student internships and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge (DEIC) connect college students and recent graduates to careers in cultural programming and engagement. Castillo said the DEIC experience led to an internship and later a paid role as engagement volunteer coordinator at America 2 50 PA.

Denise Dennis, representing the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust, described how the farm — a multi‑generation property owned by free African Americans since the late 18th century and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — was honored as the first recipient of a semi‑quincentennial bell. The bell, Dennis said, increased visitation and academic partnerships; she described artifacts from the farm now held by the Smithsonian and called the site a \"living symbol of freedom and justice for all.\"

Ending: Education presenters said classroom and youth programming will be an enduring feature of the commemoration and urged continued funding and school‑district partnerships so the initiatives outlast the 2026 events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee -- April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Teachers, students and commission interns described the Keystone Classroom initiative and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge as key education and workforce pipelines tied to America 2 50 PA; the Dennis Farm example illustrated inclusive local history programming.","taxTitle","Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29247,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6087346,"Counties describe bells, trees, banners and scholarships as local America 250 projects",960,1684000,2644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7&start=1684&end=2644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7/thumbnail_1684000.jpg","/articles/6087346/Pennsylvania/Counties-describe-bells-trees-banners-and-scholarships-as-local-America-250-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087346-a11a9df33dbf7161faa5064961528fa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971521&Signature=P-jzsLr4-xBeBJp6hvy4PC~rSvQ4uKHJcazKiWwfDwAgtk9-w754Fk8SNC746wfxyFvPk~syBeIoGudFSNhgGbUWEy0GdAyscmIyKmwdJDygH0cqJxGnkgU5Qsq54Pmt-sRteSkKqtGA9~gMDPnZc57OOnbEOzeiBHYDIZelPtPXRpW1FeU0pTMImZiVcyaPJFzYSk6gNpHzLFiFtwg3Ll6VRV7WKFrR5ZUUbF3SPUi9mBuxaTxvw4WhbYInfVg8~duvZKHNtQaKGtJZg2wuPt7-WIZlbP44yP-NIU3NVfDZWeWATEDJKek2qLfDaSmTHCvTiKsNmfLRxCheY3Ji4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several county and regional representatives told the committee that local projects are already underway to connect residents to Pennsylvania's role in the nation's founding.

Christian Linebach (Berks County) described an annual July 8 reading that re‑creates the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Reading and said Berks County adopted a county resolution recognizing America 2 50 PA in 2021 and formed a volunteer committee to run programs and a county website.

Dawn Lamuth, advising for the Laurel Highlands (Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette counties), said her region is promoting the Hannahs Town Resolves anniversary, creating a fiberglass bell mosaic for the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and building a Laurel Highlands Heritage Trail of historical markers. She noted visitor spending in Pennsylvania reached $22,000,000,000 in 2023 and said local grant awards (including a $20,000 semi‑quincentennial grant) will be directed at activation resources for cultural partners.

Brian Tate (York County) described a slate of local efforts including a county calendar (historymadehere.com / york365), boulevard banners, six fiberglass bells to be painted by local artists, and a full‑sized bronze semi‑quincentennial bell at Camp Security funded with more than $250,000 raised locally. \"This bell... represents a major local investment,\" Tate said, noting the bronze installation will remain as an enduring county tribute.

Elk County Commissioner Joshua Lim (Elk County) described a participatory Liberty Bell project that visited every K–12 school in the county so students could add color to a bell that will be installed on the courthouse lawn; Lim said the bell tour created strong community interest and student pride.

Berks County also told the committee it will publish a passport to county history in print for distribution to 85,000 households between May 1 and Aug. 15 to encourage visits to historic locations.

Ending: County presenters urged the committee to help with promotion and with infrastructure funds that would allow local projects to remain in place after 2026.","County representatives from Berks, Westmoreland/Laurel Highlands, York and Elk described local programming — fiberglass bells, a bronze bell in York, Liberty Tree plantings, banners, passports and school tours — as their contributions to the 2026 statewide commemoration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6087352,"Philadelphia plans major events, estimates millions of visitors and $1 billion impact",734,1965000,2699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7&start=1965&end=2699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7/thumbnail_1965000.jpg","/articles/6087352/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia-plans-major-events-estimates-millions-of-visitors-and-1-billion-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087352-8e2170afc97794a71f124abdcba7ec06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971521&Signature=j~lUJkQj1qT69egP1Qwg~GfKJ3CarwENoaRUT2FJbo08kMMPPP-IroWa9sKJRTpKXpQzQFns~Hcosjif612pKTl9GRlWmPYY0MuaAsFsNjtuM5NVSaVTfeZB4UhNYXYK4WdigIRzbDVoK5bfZ3HA34wcEbqwtEDruMQEaxXDr~mAVBW8014fsfkSg95esNyVvjSdNO4c29k8sjOVfqCImzf2mn3YThMoivCcSykj3VMytDsAqaRKXTo9ZABZY6vbplDtoYqm~KN1ycfjE21xij1KTChg9CXIMdabyYGY0B3C3FmYethIeY0KupUu-mlU1bqrbZuDJXAzJURs4JFu0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Numis, Philadelphia’s 2026 director, told the committee Philadelphia will host a concentration of national events in 2026 and is preparing wide‑ranging civic investments and safety planning to handle large crowds.

Numis said Philadelphia expects major influxes tied to international and national sporting events and cultural programming. He gave a minimum estimate of 500,000 visitors tied to the World Cup matches the city will host and said \"we're expecting millions across our array of events.\" He also said a slate of 20 citywide festivals is projected to generate an estimated $1,000,000,000 in economic impact.

Numis described several headline events and city commitments: a week that honors service members and veterans, a veterans parade that could draw about 30,000 participants and a nationally televised concert; Blue Angels flyovers; NASDAQ participation onboard visiting ships; and a national time‑capsule partnership. He said Mayor Cherelle Parker has committed $100 million for beautification, events and public‑safety infrastructure.

Numis framed 2026 as both a civic moment and an economic opportunity: \"For us, 2026 is about so much more than hosting an event. It's about bringing the country together around that which unites us, and inspiring the next generation,\" he said.

Ending: Numis asked for state‑level alignment on marketing and logistics and noted that Philadelphia is coordinating with nearby counties to spread tourism beyond downtown corridors.","Michael Numis, Philadelphia's 2026 director, described city commitments — including a $100 million mayoral pledge — and projections that the World Cup, MLB All‑Star Game and other events will bring large visitor numbers and economic impact.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6087356,"America 250 PA outlines statewide programs and seeks more infrastructure support for 2026",618,248000,866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7&start=248&end=866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2890853-5ba53aed402990a911f2487acfc42fa7/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6087356/Pennsylvania/America-250-PA-outlines-statewide-programs-and-seeks-more-infrastructure-support-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087356-da219a956e3297566f7ac7fb54e5a72a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971521&Signature=X18azEL3EftRc~RbuNrGdHJJ7Mo0yc9J2~vYsYyuc2A02h3ZwCotk93VSny8E5Asv07oCZ6gXsLfCEtAE9iPWN1iZ0IHJTb2OZMCbxtRg5E1NtK8vJPCIZmWvvQbUZfdpt-6Gv-UoXqcH1DNfzR7GbhW791Y3cx~6RMNFScK5YvvVFevAsazXiy0ytsJykRfApL1i7crIeSTKE9T8maxVzWkU4LezMmuuwDklL9gyNIKHPetYfvmrg7f8rcFCndyIGKYwYcSNOrj4ANCwRUNzup0gRqGN6vj2G1Pgx1iLpNVYFjOHm7eTL9HEBdAAw8jSJ1ThsKLNvRO47BzwFDIwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America 2 50 PA, told the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee on a recent informational meeting that the commission is running statewide programs to engage every Pennsylvania county ahead of the 2026 semi‑quincentennial.

Coleman said America 2 50 PA has organized initiatives around four pillars — \"educate, preserve, innovate, and celebrate\" — and described projects meant to reach urban and rural communities alike. \"Pennsylvania truly has it all,\" she said, summarizing the programmatic sweep that ranges from arts installations to classroom visits.

Why it matters: Coleman said the commission wants the celebration to produce lasting local benefit — from tourism to civic education — and emphasized the need for budget and staffing to manage demand as the anniversary approaches. She described a mix of public and private funding already committed and cited specific programs that will carry work into 2026.

Key programs and figures Coleman cited include: the Bells Across PA project (fiberglass bells in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties); a Liberty Tree planting in each county; the Road to 2026 public‑health/park initiative presented by Independence Blue Cross, Highmark and Capital Blue Cross; the Keystone Classroom initiative (KCI) that brings history to pre‑K through fourth grade classrooms; and a Direct Effect Innovation Challenge that engages college students in marketing campaigns. Coleman said KCI has reached more than 30,000 Pennsylvania students and was on track to reach 50,000 by the end of the year.

Coleman also gave grant and budget details: America 2 50 PA has awarded nearly $40,000 in mini‑grants to local projects; the commission awarded $490,000 in a first round of semi‑quincentennial grants and announced a second round of about $510,000; and the commission plans $250,000 in scholarships for Pennsylvania seniors who remain in‑state for college in 2026. Coleman said the governor’s proposed 2026 budget included a $64,000,000 investment that would provide additional support for commission work.

Coleman described rapid organizational growth: the commission staff had expanded from four to eight employees in recent years to meet demand and the commission was coordinating volunteer and partner networks in all 67 counties. She asked legislators to help with communications and outreach, noting the commission’s limited staff and the coming surge of inquiries in early 2026.

The hearing included follow‑up questions about marketing, local partnerships and how the commission will ensure inclusion of diverse local stories. Coleman said the commission has two advisory groups — one to bring diverse voices and another with a representative from every county — and that more than 414 municipalities and nearly 300 nonprofits across over 50 counties had signed on as partners.

Ending: Coleman closed by asking for continued partnership from the General Assembly and the governor’s office to build a durable legacy from the semi‑quincentennial activities.","Executive Director Cassandra Coleman told the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee that America 2 50 PA has created statewide programs — including bells, trees, student outreach and grants — and is asking for continued budget support as it scales toward 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Classroom programs and student challenges aim to reach 50,000 students and train future civic leaders

Counties describe bells, trees, banners and scholarships as local America 250 projects

Philadelphia plans major events, estimates millions of visitors and $1 billion impact

America 250 PA outlines statewide programs and seeks more infrastructure support for 2026