GREENHOUSE Graduate 2014 (PDF)

Volume 32 | Special Volume GRADUATE 2014 GRADUATE GREENHOUSE Nurturing Home Education in North Carolina and Beyond Kevin’s Kluge: Thriving through All Stages of Life..................... 1 In This Issue NCHE’s 2014 Graduates ............................................. 4 Alumni Updates . 31 Out of the Greenhouse, into the Garden: A Perspective on My Son’s Graduation.............................. 32 NORTH CAROLINIANS FOR HOME EDUCATION With the End in Mind .............................................. 34 Teen and Alumni Dance Book Fair Talent Showcase NCHE Thirtieth Annual conference May 22-24, 2014 • M.C. Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC “In thirty years of speaking at homeschool conferences, I had never attended the NCHE conference until this year (2013). I was blown away. The cost of the conference was underpriced; the location was central; the vendor hall was full of more than anyone could expect; NCHE trustees were all engaged and super helpful; volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable; the facility was convenient in every respect, and the lineup of speakers was unparalleled. Simply put, all things considered, the NCHE conference is the best home school conference in America.” – Mike Smith, president of HSLDA – Jeff Myers Dr. Anthony B. Bradley Diana Waring President of Author, professor and Author and homeschool Summit Ministries public policy analyst pioneer Rachael Carman Todd Wilson Sean McDowell Author, homeschooling mom and Author and Apologetics and co-owner of Apologia homeschooling dad worldview speaker OBB to perform Follow us as the conference comes together at http://nche.com/ conference Children’s Conference KEVIN’S KLUGE KEVIN’S Thriving through All Stages of Life by Kevin McClain Congratulations graduates on completing your high school course of study and earning your high school diploma! Savor this time of celebration with your family and friends and enjoy the sense of hope and pride this achievement brings. As you make plans, I trust you will remember the sacrifices many have made to bring you to this point in your academic career. No doubt you are thinking about the future and working on career plans. You may be a little worried, considering the economy and outlook for employment. It is true that these are trying times, and employment is difficult to come by. Some of you will have dreams of pursuing higher education, either at a community college or a four-year institution. Others may be looking at securing apprenticeships or employment. Both courses of action, I believe, have benefits. I want you to make wise plans. What you do next is a big decision, and I encourage you to thoughtfully consider your options and confer with your parents and other experienced adults in your life as you make your plans. Personally, while I am a big proponent of higher education, I urge you not to acquire debt merely for the sake of a college experience. Whatever you are considering, I want you to learn from my experience. At your age I really did not understand the true nature of vocation. On the subject of choosing a vocation, there is a lot of debate among experienced adults who give advice to young adults. Some encourage young adults to understand their passion and then to actively strive toward a role in which they get to do what they are passionate about. Now, it is possible for someone to never get to the point where they are paid full-time to work at something they are passionate about, but the idea here is to pursue that goal. This camp appeals to me, to my idealistic and romantic side. I like the notion that I could be a college GRADUATE | 2014 1 professor of educational history, and although I work at a guilty about it, as if I was being ungrateful or discontent. university, in reality, I am not a professor. The reason: there I am working at thriving. I am working at thriving in is not a lot of need for educational history professors. But I my current state and as well as in a potential state. My keep working on that plan. I keep that dream alive. I think experience is that this position creates the best possibility there is some good in that. for peace and opportunity for new experiences. New The other camp argues that one should take a more experiences bring new insights into my skills and what I realistic and pragmatic approach. I also value this. The can do well and what I find exciting. Which brings me to my reality is that the market for professors is tight, and I might closing point: you never really stop learning and graduating. be able to find a low-paying professorship, but find that Whatever is next for you, you will one day look back at it as it wouldn’t pay my bills. So I have discovered how to use a stage from which you eventually graduated into a new other skills I have—information technology skills—to stage of life. It is my hope that when you look back, you will be gainfully employed at a university. This camp says info be able to say that you were blessed because you worked technology is obviously the future and that I would be smart hard at thriving. You made good sacrifices, and you received to maximize my skills in this field to have an adequate the benefits of them, just like your homeschooling parents income. I enjoy info technology work; however, I am not as have done. Your graduating is an end of a stage for them. excited about it as I am about teaching educational history. I am confident they are looking at you and are excited that What does this have to do with vocation? From you are thriving. They, in turn, will look forward to thriving experience, I know that you may not find the perfect plan in a new stage of their own. for reaching the vocation that suits you perfectly. The way I resolve the tension in my life around choosing a vocation is Kevin McClain and his bride, Brea, to rest in my belief that God is sovereign; in other words, He are in their tenth year of homeschooling. is in control, and where I am right now is—well—where I This May, Kevin completed his eight am. The work I have to do today is the work God has given year long journey to earn a PhD in me to do today. This view, I believe, empowers me to work educational philosophy and history hard at the information technology job I have, giving my from The University of North Carolina employer a good day’s work for the wages I am receiving, at Greensboro (UNCG), where for but at the same time, allowing me to dream, and to look for the last ten years he has been employed as an educational opportunities to move closer to my dream, while not feeling technologist. 2 GREENHOUSE © North Carolinians for Home Education 2014 Hope Ammen grew up in an environment where academic challenge and a spirit of inquiry were celebrated and encouraged. Today, the former homeschooled student is experiencing the same in her classes at Regent University. She’s enjoying new opportunities, new friends, and professors who believe in her. Ready to join our family? Learn about Regent’s homeschool-friendly admissions policies and tuition discounts for HSLDA members. Hope Ammen Cinema–Television AssociAte’s | BAchelor’s MAster’s | DoctorAl On CAmpUS | OnLine 888.718.1222 | regent.eDu/hoMeschool Christian Leadership to Change the World CAS130781 CAS130784 GRADUATE | 2014 3 NCHE’s 2014 Graduates Megan Eleesha Abernathy, sports, she earned a starting position on the MSF Liberty daughter of Marc and Laura Elite soccer team. She is currently a physical therapy student Abernathy of Wilkesboro, intern at Raleigh Orthopedic Athletic Performance Center graduates May 17 after twelve and will pursue a degree in exercise science. years of homeschooling. Megan Julia Diane Allison, daughter has been in 4-H, Bible Quest and of Eugene and Carol Allison of youth group for eight years. She Charlotte, graduates on May 31 and her siblings won Nationals BQ Competition in 2011. She after being homeschooled all her has played piano for four years and also plays violin. She has life. She enjoys playing piano, worked at Chick-fil-A for two years. She plans to attend WCC serving in many family businesses, and study business management. We are so proud of her! and singing in the CYC. She is Emily Ann Adair o f actively involved in the music and children’s ministries at Weaverville graduates after her church. God has gifted Julia with a love for little ones, homeschooling for thirteen years. and she hopes to continue working with children as she She has many interests; some of earns her college degree through Thomas Edison. her favorites are reading, writing Kenneth R. Apthorp and photography. In 2010 she graduates on May 25 from the started her own photography Apthorp Academy in Charlotte. business, Painted Sunsets Photography. She has been Kenneth has been active with attending DCCC in the Career and College Promise Program. the special needs ministry at She plans to attend Montreat College and double major in Calvary Church. God has given English and cinematic arts. him a musical gift, and he enjoys Virginia Kennedy Allen of combining music with 3D animations and movies, a path he Fuquay-Varina graduates after will continue to pursue after graduation. We are so proud homeschooling for thirteen of Kenneth’s hard work and helpful spirit while working years. She has used her musical toward his goals. talent playing keyboard for the Bridgepointe Church worship teams.

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