Fact:  New legislation allows homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurriculars.

Fact: NHS has one homeschooled student in a fall sport (2015), according to NHS Activities Director Nate Werner.     

Fact:  That one student is freshman Ellie Glynn who as a recent addition to the team, shows true compassion for the Neenah Girls’ Swim and Dive team.  

Few people know about home-schooled student athletes and Glynn wants to reveal the background of what it is truly like.

Glynn is in ninth grade doing all of her studies at home.  Being homeschooled is not all clear skies and sunshine, which many people do not realize.  Many stereotypes come to Glynn about being homeschooled, such as getting to sleep in, not having as much class work, and more.

Because Glynn is the only homeschooled athlete in a fall sport, she can educate people about the home school program called, Classical Conversations.  This is a full year long program divided into weekly work.

Having gone to a public school until seventh grade gives Glynn a perspective on both views of schooling.  Latin is a language that Glynn is required to learn because it helps her learn the history of English and the written word.  American government is also a class she has to take requiring her to read many books. Glynn completes assignments that help her as she takes tests and quizzes to monitor her progress.

“I wish I went to school sometimes because everyone at practice has something in common or something to talk about school wise,” says Glynn reflectively about something she dislikes about homeschooling.

She feels welcomed on the Neenah Girls’ Swim and Dive Team. “Everyone on the team treats me normal and forgets that I’m homeschooled,” she said.

Overall, Glynn loves being part of the team and making new friends.  Homeschooling does not allow Glynn to be around people often which motivated and inspired her to join the team.

Another interest for Glynn is music.  Focusing on her music, Glynn has sung the national anthem with her sister at home meets.  She loves that she can be on a team and still focus on her singing as well.

The opportunity she has received to be on the Neenah Girls’ Swim and Dive Team has helped her improve her swimming. Glynn still swims of the FCYST club team as she has in the past.  Glynn said, “I have improved more in two months with Ms. Carrie Raeth as my coach than I did for seven years on FCYST.”

Glynn greatly loves that she is the only homeschooled student in a fall sport.  She is excited that she can show and inform people about the stereotypes about homeschoolers.