The GRIH Youth Program brought Mike Winther to Hawaii during the last week of February. Winther is an outstanding educator who speaks at Foundation for Economic Education seminars, teaches classes in Northern California, addresses debate clubs across the nation, and serves on the Board of Scholars at The Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He is also the founder of the Institute for Principle Studies.

While in Hawaii, he addressed debate students from several homeschool clubs as well as Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii. The university students really appreciated the concepts he discussed, while the homeschool students enjoyed the cross-examination debate exercise.

Throughout the week he spoke at a public and several private high schools. In all these schools, the number one request from teachers was discussion of the "Bailout." He laid a good foundation of how government should be limited, then compared socialism to a free market economy.

HPU’s economics professor, Ken Schoolland, invited Mike to address his Southeast Asia Economics Issues and International Trade classes. There were over 65 students in attendance and engaging discussions ensued. Several students from the Reason Club joined Mike and Ken for coffee after the talks.

To cap off his visit, the annual Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii Conference was held on Friday and Saturday at the end of the week. As one of the featured speakers, Winther literally spoke for 12 hours. He gave one hour workshops throughout the weekend and answered a vast number of questions. Many good books and resources were sold that will educate and arm homeschooling parents with knowledge about basic economics and good government. Across the board from teachers to parents to students, the reviews were stellar!

"Thank you so much for sharing this speaker with us. I was glad to hear his emphasis on bright lines—or standards as I call them for my students. I think these are very important for case construction."
HPU Debate Coach - Rose Helens-Hart

"He was perfect for us... able to integrate Scripture into the world situation. The students and adults in attendance all commented that it was informative and enjoyable. Thanks."
Lutheran High Principal and Economics Teacher - Art Gundell

"I was pleased by Mike's enthusiasm and discussion of bright lines as a rhetorical tool for argumentation. We appreciated your sponsorship and look forward to supporting your efforts in the future."
UH Debate Coach - Rob Boller

"I liked Mr. Winther's workshop because it exposed me to many new things .... There were many tidbits of information about little known facts about our government. He was informative, and showed me the importance of history. His workshops are a great way to learn about how our government runs, which helped prepare me for TeenPact (a civics course held at the capitol)."
Homeschool Debater -Wesley Babcock, age 14

"Mike provided a basic framework of economics and clarified terms we hear in the media. He communicated well with the average person who does not have a background in economics. Real life examples of principles were easy to relate to and understand. The resources at his table were excellent."
Homeschool Parent - Beth Brown

Because of our economic situation, students, teachers and parents were hungry for information. Winther educated more than two hundred people while he was in Hawaii. It was a worthwhile endeavor, and because of his and GRIH's efforts many more young people and adults now have a better understanding of a free market economy!

-GIR-

Lora Burbage is the Coordinator for the GRIH Youth Program and a homeschool parent who also coaches debate and teaches civics. Hear the recent Grassroot Insight interview with Lora Burbage HERE.