School Topics

HOBY: Be the Difference

Have you ever met almost one hundred new friends from across Illinois in just a weekend? This past summer was the experience of a lifetime for me and those who were selected for this opportunity. The annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar was hosted at the University of Illinois June 8-10. Hugh O'Brian is a retired actor that organized a program to give teenagers with leadership potential a chance to meet peers across their state. I first heard about HOBY from my guidance counselor, and I was immediately interested. Since I was the guinea pig from my school, I was hoping to bring back good news.

Participants don't have a clue what is in store for them. My mom dropped me off and left in which seemed only a matter of seconds. I joined a group of peers and followed two junior facilitators to the U of I Quad where several dozen ambassadors mingled in "ice-breaker" groups. I met a wide range of boys and girls my age that had personalities which I never would have come upon in my small hometown. I soon realized that open mindedness would be the solution to getting the most out of this weekend.

The introduction set the stage for the inexperienced HOBY-ites. Our first speaker gave a moving speech about how money cannot be compared to living a happy life by ripping one girl's 20 dollar into pieces. I think she had mixed emotions at first, but she was eventually reimbursed. We were split into groups with one junior facilitator and one adult facilitator. The junior and adults facilitators had actually communicated with us through e-mail before the conference which made it seem like we weren't complete strangers. Friday evening was group bonding to talk on a more personal level after a day of working together in our team.

The next morning at breakfast, we were learning quickly about not putting your elbows on the tables. Those who forgot and did put there elbows on the table had to dance around the table – not a wonder way to start the day at 7:00 in the morning. We had plenty of chances to show group spirit by actively cheering. There was never a dull moment in our 3 days. Our agenda included panels that covered topics such as: business, teaching, government, communication, and volunteering. We broke in 4 groups to learn more about the panelists. Each had his or her own story about the affects of leadership and education in our lives.

Sunday was the final day, and parents were filling the auditorium. We came dressed up from our choices of Catholic mass, non-denominational service or a religious discussion earlier that morning to our final ceremony which was the finale of the weekend. One of the most energetic speakers was saved for last.

After the weekend, I had a sense of confidence, motivation, and maturity from these three days that I never would have experienced from my ordinary high school. I highly recommend sophomores to take advantage of these opportunities. If your school has not sent anyone in the past, ask questions about HOBY and start a trend. This upcoming seminar is June 6-8 for Central-South Illinois, and I hope this program will progress for years to come.

Submitted by Lucas Loots

Typical Stereotypes of Home-Schoolers

Whenever I tell people that I'm home-schooled, I always wonder what their reaction will be. Sometimes its good and they ask questions about what it's like and then forget about it and accept me. But then there are the few who automatically assume the worst about home-schoolers; that we're uneducated, that we have no friends, and that we sit around and watch TV all day long. Or, there is the opposite stereotype that we are all super geniuses who stay locked in our houses studying all the time. Either way, it's a bit aggravating to have people automatically assume you're one way when they don't even know you.

Now, I'm sure there are a few home-schoolers that don't actually do their school work and are uneducated, but let me just tell you that most of us are your average kids and teenagers. We have friends; we enjoy listening to music; we like to wear fashionable clothes, and no, not all of us go around winning Spelling Bees.

Sure, some of us are pretty smart, but some of us are home-schooled because we have learning disabilities and need a little extra help. When we are home-schooled we can excel in the subjects that we are good at and have more time and help with the subjects we are not.

Though home-schooling opens up many positive opportunities, many still have a negative viewpoint of it, which is why I'm writing this. I want to answer the most asked questions I've been bombarded with, and hopefully change a few people's preconceived ideas about what home-schooling is like.

The first question that I've frequently been asked is if I have homework. The answer is no. Unlike at public school where you don't always have time to finish all of your school subjects, when you're home-schooled you have time to finish them all. If I don't finish my schoolwork, then I'm not allowed to watch TV or do any of the other fun stuff I would like to do, so I make sure I get up early and finish everything.

The next question I've been asked is if I have any friends. This of course always ruffles me a bit. Yes, I do have friends. Just because I'm home-schooled doesn't mean I lack social skills. It is true that when you are home-schooled is does make meeting people more difficult, but that is why I am active in 4-H, dance, summer camps, and other activities. This keeps me busy, and that's how I've met a lot of my friends. In a way, I think it's better to keep school and social stuff separate. That way I'm not distracted when I am doing my schoolwork.

The next question, what time do I get out of school everyday? Unlike the public schools, when you are home-schooled you don't finish at any certain time. When I cross all of my subjects off the list, then I'm done and I can do what I want. If I had to give a rough time though, I'd say I finish at around 1:30 P.M. or 2:00 P.M. everyday. It really depends on the work load, which is usually around six or seven subjects a day.

One girl I met was baffled by the answer I gave her to this question; do I have recess, and when is it? The answer is yes. I have recess, but it's pretty much whenever I want it to be. If I get frustrated with a subject I can go take a break and then head back and tackle it later.

Then the last question, do I have PE? The answer is yes. I can run a lap on the treadmill, go for a bike ride, or take a walk, if I want to that is! My mom doesn't force me to if I don't want to!

I hope that answering these questions will help people get past their stereotypes about home-schoolers. I've come to realize what it feels like to be labeled, so I've been trying to be fair and get to know people now before I stereotype them as well. Just because someone dresses different, isn't in your clique, or goes to another school doesn't mean they are a certain way. Try getting to know them, you might be surprised.

Submitted by Haley Welch

On the Outside Looking In: From Home schooling to Public School

I was home schooled my whole life until now. Not only was I going into something I had never experienced before, I was also going into high school. When I was home schooled I felt like I didn't have as much fun or as many friends as those who went to public school, even though I had many friends. Some days I loved being home schooled. I got to stay at home with my family and have school. I could sleep in or eat during school hours when I needed. Sometimes, however, I didn't like being home schooled. When my mom and I had to go to the store real quick during school hours people would stare and the cashiers would ask why I wasn't at school. When I told them, they would just look at me funny like I was being forced by my parents who were really aliens that had kidnapped me. I didn't want people to think I was weird just because I was home schooled. I really was a normal kid. I watched TV, listened to music, and hated doing school work. Both of my older brothers were home schooled until high school so I figured I would do the same. When 9^th grade came closer, I became more and more nervous. How could I go into a place where everyone knew each other and I was the odd girl out? When I went to register I was worried the guidance counselor and others who worked at the school would treat me differently or hold me back. It went smoothly; they let me in without asking weird questions or giving me weird looks. I am not really sure how I got myself through the doors that first day of school. I don't even remember how I felt. The day only lasted two hours and I was glad to get home. The following Monday was a whole day, though, and I wasn't sure if I could make it through the day. That morning I woke up sick to my stomach and was wishing I would have just stayed home schooled.

At first I came home for lunch because I didn't know anybody to eat with. Then once I got to know some people I started eating with them. Kids at the school were much nicer than I had originally thought. I was getting the hang of public school and I was meeting new people everyday. No one was mean to me and I was starting to enjoy school. Homecoming was a blast! I went to my first high school dance which was amazing! I was making new friends but yet I was still the same old me. I also joined student council. I am making A's so far so I hope that proves that home schoolers are not dumb.

Some days are better than others but I am glad I made the decision to go to public school. However, I am equally glad that I was home schooled until high school. I realized that many of my good friends are people that I met before public school. I now realize how blessed I was to be home schooled and to have such a good relationship with my family. I am glad I climbed the mountain and faced my fears. It has made me braver and more confident in myself. I'm not, nor never was, on the outside looking in.

Submitted by Ashley Heyen