Emily & Katherine Kapelsohn receive Service/Entrepreneurship award
[This article first appeared in Issue 93 (Winter, 2005-2006) of the PENNSYLVANIA HOMESCHOOLERS® newsletter.]
Homeschool Excellence Day was started soon after the successful homeschool legislative effort that resulted in the current homeschool law in 1988. We realized that it was vitally important to have a regular way to share the successes of homeschooling with our legislators in a tangible way, and so the idea was born. The program highlights an annual student project fair, a press conference with both student and adult speakers, an annual Champion of Homeschool Excellence Award, and student entertainment showcasing the broad range of talents in the homeschool community.
This year’s October 19th celebration was one of the best, with a diverse range of projects in the visual arts, history and geography, science, and service and entrepreneurship set up in the large rotunda area of the East Wing of the Capitol. A special treat was the on-going performances by homeschool students throughout the day. Emily (7) and Katherine Kapelsohn (9) of the Reading PA area performed expertly on their harp-- and shared an exhibit about their work in music therapy with their harp at area nursing homes. The girls both played with astonishing expertise and with full enjoyment. Their mother shared that practicing music has always been for the larger goal of sharing their music with others, either at nursing homes, in the local bank or post office at busy holiday times, or in public school programs to introduce the harp to area students.
At noon a team of six homeschool teens from York County shared their lively swing dancing routines they have developed for swing dance competitions. Taking part were: Megan and Wendy Blair, Sydney Thro, David Gaiteri, Seth Tuten and Carl Schoon. They were joined by fellow dancers Aaron Jones and Erin Rosner for a final number. The contagious enthusiasm of these teens got everyone clapping along-- and we all realized what incredible aerobic exericise swing dancing is for advanced dancers like these!
Next on the program was the string ensemble Volante from the Chester County region. The elegant young women, dressed in matching long gowns, played a wide range of classical, contemporary, and patriotic pieces, showing true musicianship and love of playing and performing for others. This group also does extensive outreach service work in their area, playing at nursing homes, schools, and more. The group also performed and gave a workshop presentation on starting a musical ensemble group at the PHAA High School at Home Conference last summer.
This was followed by the press conference, where Carol Lugg spoke first on the need for the Equal Access bill to allow homeschoolers to participate in sports and other activities at public schools. Senator Jubiliere and Senator Regola also addressed the crowd, sharing their positive impression of homeschoolers and their full support of this legislation. We presented our Champion of Homeschool Excellence Award to Senator Regola for his work on the Equal Access Bill.
Next five National Merit Semi-Finalists spoke, sharing about their homeschooling experiences and how their family’s approach to learning had brought them to this place of accomplishment: Danielle Acker, Huntingdon PA, Liliana Meldrum, Port Royal PA; Walter Muench, Ridley Park PA; Jonathan Perez-Blanco, State College PA; and Monica Houston, State College PA.
Finally Natalie Bishop and Carol Lugg presented the student awards for the project fair. Afterwards students stood by their projects to answer questions from those coming to view the exhibits.
Just that very day, the Senate voted almost unanimously to pass the language changes made in the equal access bill by the House, and the bill was on the way to the Governor’s office. What a terrific day of proud accomplishment and gratitude!