Here are five unique buttons from various NHD events. Current students trade buttons much like Olympic athletes--it's a major part of the program.

But from 1981-1989, a single button was issued annually. The 1985 sample looked exactly like the others. There were no state buttons.

The New Hampshire button was remarkable for several reasons. First, NH hadn't participated for seven years and it was their first year back. Second, that was the year that the Old Man of the Mountain, their state landmark, collapsed. They'd already put it on their buttons, so they kept it. Now it's a collector's item.

The Indiana "Buggy" button lights up. They only made a few and most fell into the hands of greedy state coordinators (like me). They were expensive. I got one for a sick kid, but--alas--never gave it to him. I think he's in college now.

Hawaii, Alaska and American Samoa are always among the most popular buttons, because they don't have as many students attending (it's a long way!). They give their kids extra buttons, but they're still the most popular kids on campus.

The Cicada button was issued by the national office in 2004 to mark the 20 year event of the cicadas emerging from their tree cocoons. The national people don't often issue buttons, so it was remarkable. We had several students capture and bring the critters back as souvenirs.

I was wrong. There's one more bibliography to review. This IS the last one...

Laurie