(NOT) Your Average Joe

Home Schoolers

O.K., so here I go. I been idle a few weeks and am ready to jump back into this.

Here is a subject that I been contemplating for a few weeks now.  I was first skeptical about touching this subject.  I did not want to offend anyone and cause controversy.  I do feel that it is important enough though and needs to be discussed.

The matter is home schoolers being able to compete in sports in the public schools.  A few states already do it and I just read that our neighbors in Las Cruces have recently adopted this policy.

They are now going to let home schooled kids compete in one varsity sport per year and a local high school in their area.

A few states already have this rule in place including some districts in California and Colorado.  In Cruces, they are letting them choose one sport and allow them to compete with the public high school athletes.  As teammates of course.

Well personally I think it is very wrong and I do not agree one bit.  The argument has been made that these parents pay taxes for those schools and therefore their children should be allowed to compete.

I think that is a bunch of crap.  I mean we all pay taxes for things we will never use.  I don't even have kids, so there goes that argument. 

My argument with this system is this.  Why should a kid that does not even have to deal with the ups and downs of a respective school be able to participate with these same kids.  These kids at the public school have to deal with the good and bad of that school; with teachers, other kids, etc...

These public schoolers have a certain requirement academically to meet.  How can anyone know for sure that these home schoolers are meeting this same requirements.  It would take nothing for a parent to just pass their children.

I have been around a lot of home schooled parents and I know for a fact that they are not typically on par with the academic standards required by the state.  Now of course their are some parents that push their kids beyond these standards, but for the most part they are behind the curve.

I also find it hypocritical that many home school parents keep their kids out of public and private schools because of the "bad element", and then turn around and want them to compete with these same kids.

Also when you choose to home school your children, you are basically making a compromise.  You essentially trade "better academics" and give up a social setting for your children.  There will be no Prom, no Homecoming, and no organized sports. You knew that!

You cannot have your cake and eat it too.  These parents feel that private schools and public schools do not offer the proper level of safety or education.  They choose to keep them at home and therefore be able to control first hand their child's learning environment.

I can respect that and find no issue with this.  I personally always attended public schools and am therefore biased and would have it no other way.  I can see both sides of the coin though.

I wanna hear from you kids and parents out there.  I know most of my readers are going to be partial public schools, but hopefully you all have something to say about this. Till next time.

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com

"El Paso Huddle"

Coach John Thomas out at Andress brought up a really interesting subject. He asked what ever happened to the "El Paso" chant that used to take place before the start of the regional meet.

For those of you that do not know what he is talking about, I shall explain.  In years past, all the El Paso runners would gather right in front of the starting line before the race.  They would all crowd together and start chanting "El Paso, El Paso"!

It used to hype everyone up and I am pretty sure it was pretty intimidating for the other runners not from El Paso.  Most of you know that our runners usually go up there and clean house.

I personally was not aware that it has not been done in awhile. I actually forgot all about it altogether until John brought it up.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

I am sure there are several reasons that it has stopped.  Like someone said earlier, the divisions have been slip up. Back in the day there were more 5A teams from El Paso.  Now that there are several divisions, the time that the El Paso runners actually compete is spread out throughout that saturday.

If anyone knows of any other possible reasons, please chime in.  I think that something like that definitely needs to be brought back.  It is our thing after all and from what I hear, has been passed on for decades.

On another note, I just bumped into Joe Villa a great coach that helps out with the Shooting Stars Track Club.  For those that do not know him, he is a great youth distance coach and one of the best Marathoners in the area.

Anyway, he told me that the youth Junior Olympics regional cross country race is next weekend in Utah.  There are some great runners competing including the superbly talented Gabriel Martell and a 10 year old girl that is running high school times.

I wish you all luck and I am sure you will represent El Paso greatly.  Till next time

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com

"Mi Culpa"

I had to write to blog to right a wrong.  I just wanted to let the readers know that for the most part I have a well thought out plan when I start to write a blog.  There are a few occasions where I just sit down and write or I am pressed for time.

If you read my last blog I think it is apparent that I was rushed and did not put as much into is as I should. I want to apologize first of all for misidentifying the Franklin state qualifier John Gatewood. I said Coronado high school and obviously was wrong.

Secondly I did not mention Andress runner Sandra Walker who did an amazing job at regionals.  She was the top 4A runner and I believe she is only a sophomore.  I totally meant to include her but it completely slipped my mind when I began to write. 

So I hope that sets me free with the reader I've offended.  Good luck once again to all you runners.

Also Mr. Ruben Dominguez out in the DFW area, thank you for your support of El Paso runners.  And also thank you for reading.  Laters.

Joseph Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com

State

I want to start out by first thanking those who have written in and shown their appreciation for this blog.  You are all very welcome and it is actually my pleasure to have the opportunity to write about a sport that I love.  Thank you all for reading.

Well we all know that the cross country State Championships are this weekend and as usual we are sending up some serious talent.

I just wanted to wish all of you luck up there and I am positive you will make us all proud.  The Chapin boys and girls teams did an outstanding job at regionals. It is not too often that you get a boys and a girls team qualify out of the same school to such a huge event.

I think the Horizon boys and Chapin boys will both do an outstanding job up there.  The Chapin girls will definitely be in the hunt for a top three finish.

Robert Castanon, Irvin's star has a real shot at placing in the top 20 if he runs smart.  I really think he is hitting his peak at the perfect time.  That is actually one of the hardest things to do in such a long season.

I was really impressed with the Gatewood kid from Coronado.  He really stepped up at the regional meet and showed he is El Paso's star for the next few years. 

I wanna wish the Clint team good luck also.  I hope that all of you have fun out there.  It is a very fast course and it will be over before you know it.  Just be sure to soak it all in, you will remember it for the rest of your lives.

Joe Weissbard

kingrain77@aol.com