By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

Samantha Kampsen checks out her Homework Hotline Web site. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

ERLANGER - Samantha Kampsen, 13, found a simple cure for the summertime blues.

She created a Web page to be used by students worldwide for help with their homework.

Well, simple for her, at least. The Erlanger teen is a straight-A student at St. Cecilia School in Independence. She also plays soccer, is student council vice president and school newspaper editor.

Now she can add "creator and moderator of an educational Web site" to her resume.

Homework Hotline, the free site that is set up in a bulletin board format, allows students of all grades to log on, post questions and receive help - not answers - from others logged on to the site.

The home page is broken down into subjects - math, science, history and English - and "study break'' games and quizzes.

"It's basically an online tutor," Samantha said. "But no direct answers to homework problems can be given. If you post an answer, I ban you from the board."

She hasn't had to do that yet, but school just started Wednesday.

Samantha, a computer fanatic since she was 4 years old, came up with the idea a year ago after visiting other online bulletin boards. She got started on the site this summer, but first had to get the approval of her parents, Steven and Heather.

"She made an entire presentation to us," her mother said. "She wrote out guidelines and drew up some pages because she knows we can be a tough sell."

After getting the go-ahead, Samantha spent nine hours one day in July to create the site. Since then, she has spent three hours a day monitoring it.

Her principal, Katie Mellor, authorized putting a link to the board on St. Cecilia's Web site (www.stcecilia.ws) .

"I'm impressed with what she's done, but not surprised," Mellor said. "She's a real motivated student and likes to take a challenge."

Samantha said setting the site up was easy. The real challenge will be the constant monitoring to make sure guidelines are followed.

"I'll probably spend about two hours a day on it during the school year," said Samantha, who is getting some help from mom and at least three college students they know.

A student posting a question or reply can say what state she's from, but little else. If names, ages or schools are posted, Samantha has the ability to delete that information.

The Kampsens believe the less personal information posted, the safer the site. Repeat offenders will be kicked off the site.

"I can see their computer address, so if they try to get back on with a different e-mail, I can totally lock them out," Samantha said.

Since the Web site launched July 25, it has received almost 1,000 visits. It was the talk of the school on the first day back.

"I envision for it to get as big as it can get as long as it doesn't get out of control," Samantha said. "I started it because I wanted something to help people. I feel really good about it and hope it turns out all right."

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com.