Sheltered homeschoolers and anti-elite elitism

Isaac Willour Staff Writer

It is incredibly obvious that America has some public education problems that run deeper than “fix school lunches and keep kids from getting stabbed on the playground.” On the other hand, not all of America’s education debates are over access and inequality — it’s a values fight against “Christian nationalist revisionists” or “America-hating wokesters,” depending on your politics.

On the Christian right, however, it is much deeper than that. It’s a struggle to create a separate culture rooted in an innate distrust of government and a desire to return to a more classical model of education. Why do I care about those roots? Simple — I’m a part of those roots.

For those blissfully ignorant readers for whom the following statement isn’t incredibly obvious, I was homeschooled for the entirety of my pre-college educational career. I’ve grown up in Christian homeschool circles essentially my entire life and have heard all the typical homeschool cliches from classmates and their parents: Six-day creationism is the only way to be saved, men shouldn’t have long hair because something-somethingCorinthians and you definitely can’t be a committed Christian and go to a public school. Shock and horror.

For what it’s worth, my personal homeschool experience had very little such

Conductor

continued from 4 band drum major all the way to her current international success and her determination and enthusiasm for her work has truly made the difference in achieving all she sets her mind to.

“I would like to say it has been a straight, consistent speed, but that’s not realistic in the arts. Very few people experience that so when you see that happen, know it is not the normal thing and just get up each day and focus on making yourself a better artist. I have a background and experience that includes teaching, composing and also performing as a vocal or recital accompanist, so that helped to give me an all-around view of the work a conductor has to understand,” Hendrickson said.

These lessons, along with countless others, have allowed Hendrickson to share her gifts all over the world.

LAX continued from 12 scoring five goals.

Freshman attack Mac Faircloth scored four goals while fellow freshman attack Ridgdon Greene and freshman tomfoolery; I’ve been blessed with unbelievably wise parents, and none of this is me saying that homeschooling is wrong or that it’s not a responsible choice for families. What I am saying is this: An education counterculture, even a Christian one, doesn’t guarantee wise people, and it definitely doesn’t guarantee more Christian ones. The counterculture is real, and if you grew up homeschooled, you probably know this: The Christian media industry is awash with products advertised to parents as alternatives to “worldly” media. The world watches Netflix while Christians watch PureFlix. The world lets its kids watch PBS, but Christians make sure their kids watch “VeggieTales” and listen to “Adventures in Odyssey.” The outside and Christians both pledge allegiance to the American flag, but Christians throw in the Christian flag (and sometimes the Bible) for good measure.

If you grew up in a Christian or homeschool environment and this seems at least vaguely descriptive of your lived experience, it’s because the environment you grew up in was affected by the philosophy of sheltering: Protect people from the mentality of the world by creating a separate culture that reflects our values.

Yet, there’s a darker strain that runs through that sepa- rate culture.

In my years of running in homeschool circles, I heard and continue to hear too many otherwise smart people act like it’s classical education methods and Socratic dialogues that actually create the spiritual growth that Christian homeschooling groups constantly promote. It’s not.

This perception ironically often creates a type of antielite elitism: By not subscribing to mainstream education systems and going to more traditional non-governmental methods, we’re saving kids from the fate of being like their worldly, brainwashed, public-schooled peers. Don’t believe me?

People tell me homeschooling is a “more moral choice” than sending kids to a public school. Is this sometimes true? Yes — I’d even argue it’s true more often than many think. But certainly not always, and it’s a mistake to see counterculture as a substitute for actual discipleship. Nothing about homeschool-

Word on the street...

What did you do for spring break?

Ava Fahs ‘26 ing or classical education saves souls.

I did the things I couldn’t do in school. I painted and read books of my own choice.

The culture I encountered in my years as a homeschooler that pledged allegiance to the Christian flag and presented itself as a non-hostile educational system for Christians was decidedly more pro-Christian than much of America’s public education system, and I’m grateful for much of it (not the Christian flag part). But it didn’t make me more Christian or a better person than my publicly educated counterparts.

Education is a major battlefield in the culture war, and deservedly so — it’s the battle for the minds of America’s youth.

But for those of us who grew up homeschooled, that pedigree doesn’t confer moral superiority, even if it’s tempting to think so at times. As a former homeschooler, I’m grateful for the good in my past, even as I realize that it’s not what gives me true hope for the future.

That hope transcends all education debates, and we should never forget it.

Kristiana Shirk ‘26

I went to Maine to be with my boyfriend and his family. I icefished, ate lobsters and skied. I built an ice fort.

Noah Koons ‘25

I just hung out with my family. I don’t get to see them a lot so it was good to be home. My sisters still had school. It was nice and relaxing. I made dinner for my family every night which is a good way to bond with them.

Calista Robbins ‘25

I spent a lot of time working. I organized the cooler which was relaxing and de-stressing. I went dress shopping with my sister for her first school dance, and I saw the Grove City touring choir..

Jacob Heasley ‘23

I got a new car, and I got some schoolwork done.

Brooke Kennedy ‘23

This year, she will continue her amazing work in preparing Concertgebouworkest Young, a European youth orchestra, for their international concerts and will serve as music director for Opera Holland Park’s production of “Hansel and Gretel.”

“My favorite part of the job is watching amazing artists make incredible musical moments and extending those moments to an audience. I think orchestras underestimate the power of the personal connection a conductor can provide to an audience,” Hendrickson said.

“My advice to current Grove City College students would be to work hard. People will move ahead at different points in life; you cannot control this. You can only control that when you have a chance to get into the room, be it auditions or professional appearances, you are the most prepared person in the room.” midfielder Ryan Walton each added three goals. The success continued as Grove City traveled to Southern Virginia and won 17-6 on Saturday.

Once again, the third quarter proved to be a specialty

Donor Day

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JBL speakers, ENO hammocks and many more. Further, if 50 percent or more of Greek or housing group members participate, their group will receive CLP credit.

“Our hope is that this event fosters among our student body a deep appreciation and awareness that their tuition dollars only cover a fraction of the full cost of their Grove City College experience; that gifts from alumni, parents and friends make up the difference and help provide our students with the unique and enriching opportunities available to them here,” Sposato said.

The academic demands and exciting campus life can sometimes distract from the kindness and compassion that make it all possible in the first place. Thank-a-Donor Day provides students the opportunity to slow down and truly reflect on the pieces for the Wolverines as they added seven goals during that quarter alone. Several men scored to contribute to this win, including Blythe leading with four goals. Senior midfielder Brett Glad- and parts of the college experience made possible by donors.

“For me, it’s easy to forget the people that sacrificially give to this institution in order for it to run properly, so Thank-A-Donor Day is a great reminder of how blessed we are to go to Grove City College. Seeing the student body unite behind the message of thanking those who have given us the opportunity to have a once-in-alifetime experience at Grove is an awesome thing,” Crimson and White Society Vice President Andrew Solman, a junior, said.

“Donors are the lifeblood of the college and are a great representation of the way Grove City College has impacted people in a positive way. Through their gifts, Grove City College has thrived, so it is of utmost importance that we thank them for doing that.” stone, Jayne and Bui all added three goals each.

The Wolverines will face Messiah College for their next game at Robert E. Thorn Field tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Nothing super exciting. I applied for jobs and went to Smorgasbord, a kind of Swedish buffet, with my boyfriend

Christopher Dunsworth ‘23

I visited my in-laws in Washington State. It was my first time on a plane. I saw the Multnomah Falls and went to the largest bookstore in America.

Caleb Repp ‘24

I went on a journey to Buffalo, N.Y. (on an ICO trip). I engaged with a really beautiful team. We had the opportunity to serve various missions, and I formed some new relationships that I’m very grateful for. It was a time of living the Christian life in a way we don’t get to do in college.

‘Creed III’ goes above and beyond

Michael B. Jordan deals a knockout in his directorial debut

Nick Grasso

Entertainment Editor

After Adonis Creed defeated Viktor Drago in the final moments of “Creed II” to claim the world boxing title, I wasn’t sure if another “Creed” movie could match that level of hype. Man, was I wrong.

In Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, he steps back into the iconic role of Apollo Creed’s son, this time as a dominant boxing force. After defeating “Pretty” Ricky Conlan in the title fight, Creed once again finds himself atop the boxing world, but steps away from fighting to focus on his family and his career as a promoter.

Enjoying a lavish life in Los Angeles with wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila David-Kent), Creed’s path changes in an instant when he bumps into Damian (Jonathan Majors), a recently released criminal with a knack for hurting others.

Creed and Damian have history as friends, but after Creed escaped a close call with the authorities and vaulted into fame and fortune, Damian was locked up and forced to watch his old friend live his life, so to speak.

Still burning with fury, the elder Damian manipulates Creed into handing him a chance at the title against the current champ. Damian gets away with several cheap shots that inexplicably go over the referee’s head, but is ultimately crowned champion of the world mere weeks after being released from prison.

Creed, now aware of the monster he created by attempting to help an old friend, challenges Damian for the title. He goes on to annihilate him in a climactic final fight, much to the delight of fans everywhere.

“Creed III” isn’t your everyday boxing movie, easily going shot-for-shot with the

“Rocky” movies in terms of quality while bringing a fresh storyline to the game. Jordan employs unique camera work and a visually stunning final fight to cap off what is an exceptional first project behind the camera.

This third installment is special because it doesn’t recycle the same plot that seemingly every boxing movie has utilized since “Rocky” hit the big screen. Diving into Creed and Damian’s past brings a new angle to the story and allows viewers to identify with the dynamic of hatred between the fighters.

Another refreshing element was the focus on Creed’s family life. Under two hours long, “Creed III” somehow fits compelling and endearing shots between the title character and Bianca into an otherwise packed movie. Not bad for a first-time director.

There’s an obvious Sylvester Stallone-shaped hole in the film, but while fans were initially disappointed that Rocky himself wouldn’t

Tunes from the Tower Miley’s eighth Vince Clay

Staff Writer

Miley Cyrus, the notorious problem child of the music industry, released “Endless Summer Vacation” on March 10. It’s her eighth studio album and her first with Columbia Records after leaving RCA Records following her seventh studio album’s debut.

make an appearance, it became clear almost immediately that “Creed III” didn’t need him.

Creed is a grown man who’s responsible for his family and who had a brilliant career in the ring. His decision to step away from fighting to join the promotion team would have caused an odd dynamic with the sentimental Balboa, had he been in the film.

Not to mention Stallone didn’t want to be included because the film “was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it.” Okay, Stallone, whatever you say.

Regardless, “Creed III” is both well-made and wildly fun. Fans have been spoiled by Jordan’s on-screen charisma and ripped muscles for years now, and though it appears Creed has faced his last opponent, audiences everywhere are secretly hoping that another installment will make it to the big screen in some shape or form.