The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) reports that a recent city festival in Shreveport Louisiana recently tried to bar homeschoolers from competing in the yearly competitions because they thought it would be unfair to the children that went to public school.
They did not say exactly how it would be unfair, only that they felt it was. I have to wonder if the officials thought is unfair because a large number of homeschoolers had won in the past, including the young lady who won first place at the vocal competition. Perhaps the officials suddenly decided that after years of homeschoolers competing with public school students that public funds should only go to public school kids. No one knows the real reason except the officials… maybe.
The HSLDA lawyers reminded the Art Break officials that the City and Corporate Sponsored event literature stated that it was for all students in the area, and homeschoolers are in fact, students.
So with that ‘crisis’ averted, I have to ask myself should homeschoolers really compete against public school students? Our kids certainly have the right to. But should they? Perhaps as homeschoolers, we should create our own organizations. By having our own organizations, homeschoolers would not have to fight for the right to compete and pursue their own interests. Our kids would no longer be a threat to other students and we could eliminate some of the disdain and hostility that accompanies competitions where homeschoolers are not wanted. We would be able to unite and create even more enriching activities that fit the uniqueness of homeschooling.
I would love to see a National Homeschooling Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Arts Festival, and more. Of course, the existing programs are doing a quality job and homeschoolers are excelling, but I wonder if homeschoolers could raise the bar to unfathomable levels if we held our own. By having our own competitions and even sports leagues, I think the true strength and accomplishments would truly shine, especially when measured against the other programs.
Of course, this is just a thought. I could be wrong.
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