Back in the homeschool classroom: Grown son's first home

Unpacking and organizing in the new kitchen.

We're proud of our son. At the age of 29, he has become a home owner, purchasing (on his own with no help from us) his first house -- a three bedroom, two bath with one car garage and pool with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park.

It's a path he has been on since graduating from homeschool high school. Educated at home in grades 2-12, he attended nearby James Madison University's computer school to earn his degree. After securing a job in Harrisonburg, he moved into an apartment with friends, paid off his student loan within a year, then saved and finally bought a new car after driving an old one since the age of 16. With the car paid off, he turned his attention to home ownership.

This year, that became a reality. His friends, sister, brother-in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparents have visited as we gathered as a family at his house and celebrated.

The foundation laid during his youth has paid off with his fiscal responsibility and determined path in life. His dad and I are proud. He now has a nest of his own.

---
Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part of leadership in North Carolina's Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE) and Virginia's Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her son graduated from Harrisonburg's James Madison University (JMU) in 2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton's Mary Baldwin College in 2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and Marketing. Lynn and her husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey can be found here.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 2013
Originally printed July 2013

Shenandoah National Park & JMU join for starry adventure

If you've never experienced a night hike in the mountains, you've missed an excellent opportunity to heighten the senses and explore the outdoors in a way not possible during daylight hours.

Next Friday, March 28, Shenandoah National Park will join with James Madison University's "Starry Nights" program by hosting an event at the Park:

Shenandoah National Park: Nature hikes, astrophotography, public star party, Brown Mountain Overlook (~0.8 mile South of mile marker 76) on Skyline Drive. Visitors will use RT 33 to get to the park at Swift Run and travel SOUTH on Skyline Drive about 11 miles to this overlook. Beginning at 8pm. For more information: http://www.jmu.edu/planetarium/starrynightsharrisonburg-page.shtml#sthash.QkKZ7qWD.dpuf

"Starry Nights" will take place all next week, March 24-29. See the website for a complete schedule of events.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Shenandoah National Park

Staunton hires Courtland Robinson as Assistant Director of Economic Development

The Queen City has hired Courtland Robinson as Staunton Assistant Director of Economic Development, replacing Amanda Glover who accepted the director position for Augusta County's economic development.

Robinson comes to Staunton after working for the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. As a Graduate Assistant with James Madison University, Robinson also served with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, James Madison University and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. In these positions he provided research, web and social media support, marketing assistance, policy analysis and grant writing. Robinson holds a B.S. in Urban and Regional Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Staunton's Director of Economic Development Bill Hamilton welcomed Robinson and noted:

“We are very pleased to welcome Courtland to the Staunton team. His strong knowledge of the region, combined with his background in urban planning and economic development make him an excellent choice.”

Robinson will earn his master's degree in Public Administration in May from James Madison University.

Today: James Madison University marching band in Macy's Thanksgiving parade

Virginia's James Madison University Marching Dukes will be one of only two college bands performing today in the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

JMU first participated in the parade in 2001 and again in 2008, and will be sending 485 band members this year.

Band Director Scott Rikkers told WHSV TV-3:

"This will be our third time in the parade. We went for the first time in 2001, second time in 2008, and this will be our third appearance on the 20th of November. There are two college bands in the parade, and we are marching 485. We're probably one of the largest college bands in the country, which we're very proud of, but we're going because we really want to represent James Madison University. What we're just trying to do is create the best, most entertaining performance for the audience, and also again to represent the quality of our program and the school so that's what we focus on, and bottom line, the kids are going to have a great time."

As a JMU family with our own Duke alumnus son, we will be watching the Marching Dukes. Congratulations, JMU!

Former president swings through Harrisonburg

It's not every day a former president of the United States drops by the Shenandoah Valley so Bill Clinton's appearance in Harrisonburg Tuesday for a campaign rally caused a stir. Political reporter Bob Stuart covered the event at James Madison University for the News-Virginian.

JMU Marching Band headed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Virginia's James Madison University Marching Dukes will be one of only two college bands performing in the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade held annually in New York City. JMU first participated in the parade in 2001 and again in 2008, and will be sending 485 band members this year.

Band Director Scott Rikkers told WHSV TV-3:

"This will be our third time in the parade. We went for the first time in 2001, second time in 2008, and this will be our third appearance on the 20th of November. There are two college bands in the parade, and we are marching 485. We're probably one of the largest college bands in the country, which we're very proud of, but we're going because we really want to represent James Madison University. What we're just trying to do is create the best, most entertaining performance for the audience, and also again to represent the quality of our program and the school so that's what we focus on, and bottom line, the kids are going to have a great time."

At our house we always watch the parade from the kitchen while preparing Thanksgiving dinner. As a JMU family with our own Duke alumnus son, we will be watching the Marching Dukes. Congratulations, JMU!

'Which Founder Are You?' ... James Madison?

There's a Constitutional quiz making the rounds of Facebook so this morning I decided to answer the eleven questions and see which Founding Father I was most like, just for the fun of it.

The history geek in me was surprised to find that I was considered to be most like fellow Virginian James Madison who was "diligent, scholarly, and shy," according to the Constitution Center's "Which Founder Are You?" quiz. Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution and was co-author of the Federalist Papers. Wonder if he would be a photographer of the beautiful Virginia countryside if still alive today?

Wonder if I got extra points for my son graduating from Mr. Madison's University in Harrisonburg?

Here's the Constitution Center's brief bio of Madison (1751-1836):

The oldest of ten children born to a distinguished planter family, Madison received a good education from tutors and the College of New Jersey. Despite a long and relatively healthy life, Madison was something of a hypochondriac, perhaps due to a sickly and frail childhood.

Even before he chose a profession, Madison decided on a life in politics; he threw himself enthusiastically into the independence movement, serving on the local Committee of Safety and in the Virginia convention, where he demonstrated his abilities for constitution writing by framing his state constitution. During the war he served in the assembly and in the Council of State, kept from military service by poor health. In 1780 Madison became the youngest delegate to the Continental Congress.

An early advocate of a strong central government, Madison attended both the Mount Vernon conference and the Annapolis convention before earning the title "Architect of the Constitution" for his work at the Philadelphia convention. He campaigned tirelessly for ratification in Virginia and reached out to influence New York as well by his contributions to the essays known as The Federalist Papers.

Madison won a seat in the first House of Representatives, where he served until 1797. By this time he was a committed leader of the Democratic-Republicans, and he became secretary of state in 1801 when his friend and cofounder of that party, Thomas Jefferson, became president. Madison succeeded Jefferson in 1809, and it was during his administration that the long-standing tensions between Britain and the United States finally erupted into war.

After his second term as president, Madison retired to his plantation, Montpelier, where he edited the journal he kept during the Constitutional Convention. He wrote newspaper articles supporting fellow Democratic-Republican and Virginian President James Monroe and acted as Monroe's informal adviser on foreign policy. In his last years, Madison became actively involved in the American Colonization Society, an organization that encouraged the emancipation of slaves and their resettlement in Africa.

Earlier this month we visited Thomas Jefferson's Monticello with both my sisters and a brother-in-law who is from Colorado and had never seen that beautiful historical spot. At the time I noted to my husband that I had never visited Montpelier, home of James Madison in nearby Orange located north of Charlottesville, and would like to make a trip over there one day. Maybe we should go in October when there are lots of activities planned including Homeschool Day. Montpelier has definitely been added to the bucket list.

Back in the homeschool classroom: Grown son's first house

 

Unpacking and organizing in the new kitchen.

We're proud of our son. At the age of 29, he has become a home owner, purchasing (on his own with no help from us) his first house -- a three bedroom, two bath with one car garage and pool with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park.

It's a path he has been on since graduating from homeschool high school. Educated at home in grades 2-12, he attended nearby Blue Ridge Community College and then transferred to James Madison University's computer school to complete his degree. He secured a job in Harrisonburg and moved into an apartment with friends, paid off his student loan within a year, then saved and finally bought a new car after driving an old one since the age of 16. With the car paid off, he turned his attention to home ownership.

This year, that became a reality. His friends, sister, brother-in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparents have visited. We gathered as a family at his house and celebrated.

The foundation laid during his youth has paid off with his fiscal responsibility and determined path in life. His dad and I are proud. He now has a nest of his own.

---
Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part of leadership in North Carolina's Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE) and Virginia's Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her son graduated from Harrisonburg's James Madison University (JMU) in 2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton's Mary Baldwin College in 2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and Marketing. Lynn and her husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey can be found here.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 2013

James Madison University College Republicans will commemorate 9/11 with American flags

Young America’s foundation has generously donated flags to display on the JMU Campus to commemorate the victims of 9/11.  Please plan on helping us put them on the festival lawn Saturday evening September 10th.

Festival lawn at James Madison University will be a sea of American flags this weekend, one for each of the 2,977 people who were killed by terrorists on 9/11/2001. The JMU College Republicans will have a flag ceremony to remember those who were lost, an event that is open to the community as each flag is planted in the ground.

The CRs recognize that it is important for Americans to come together as a country and mourn those who were killed while remaining eternally grateful to God for our liberty.  The event will take place this Saturday and  Sunday, September 10th and 11th, at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Dave Rexrode ... JMU political science grad guides Virginia GOP

Republican Party of Virginia Executive Director David Rexrode (JMU '01 - left)
with Virginia Democratic Party Executive Director David Mills (JMU '02 - right).
Photo from "Madison" magazine.

Every time I think of Dave Rexrode, I remember us sitting in the rocking chairs on my front porch in Augusta County during the summer of 2001 when he was freshly graduated from James Madison University and working as campaign manager for Staunton's Chris Saxman. Saxman went on to win that campaign for delegate of the newly-created 20th House District. I was a volunteer on the campaign and talked politics with Dave. I remember telling him how much fun it was to talk with the political science majors who were young people working various campaigns because they liked to talk politics. At the time, there weren't many people around me who were political junkies like myself.

Who knew Dave would eventually become Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia? Who knew I would eventually become a member of the RPV State Central Committee, seeing Dave at RPV events on a regular basis?

Dave had been active with the JMU Republicans before his graduation. At the time in 2001, I had no idea my own son would eventually earn a computer science degree six years later from Mr. Madison's university in Harrisonburg. As a result, Madison, JMU's quarterly magazine, arrived in the mail this week and there was an article about Dave and his Democratic Party counterpart David Mills (JMU Class of '02).

It's a good read. Check it out online and see the talent coming up the political ranks....

Silicon Shenandoah ... why not?

An idea that has been bantered around for a few years is the suggestion of developing the Shenandoah Valley into an eastern version of California's Silicon Valley, bringing clean technology and employment for our college graduates who often find they must go elsewhere to find jobs.

With companies fleeing California at a time that finds the state bankrupt and ever-increasing taxes breaking the backs of industry, is the time right to advance the idea of a Silicon Shenandoah?

James Madison University's ISAT computer school (Integrated Science and Technology) could anchor the northern end with Virginia Tech's computer science school anchoring the southern end.

Talking with young 20-something computer science majors, their first concern was the level of education and the fact JMU, if not Tech, would need to toughen its computer courses to compete with the likes of Berkeley and Stanford who have years of experience on Valley schools.

But could it be done? Would companies and higher education be willing to partner to bring that type of clean technology east?

Bob Kirchman, an architectural artist from Staunton, VA, who works with a variety of computer programs while pursuing his profession, weighed in on the possibility of offering more for our college graduate children:

Sadly, we're seeing a systematic attack by cash-hungry government on the engines of creativity that normally drive human progress.

Nowhere is this more true than in California, where increased taxation and regulation strangles all but the best and brightest. Still, Silicon Valley is home to a surprising number of start-ups. Human ingenuity always finds a way to excell even in the direst of times. Sadly, the growing burden narrows the number of winners. Here is where Governor McDonnell's Pro-Market Virginia needs to be promoted with increased vigor. Virginia could well become known as the state that refused to let opportunity die.

Using Governor Bob McDonnell's "Bob's for Jobs" as a base, Kirchman continued:

Governor McDonnell can continue to promote policies that allow many start-ups that would be impossible in California to gain traction in the Old Dominion. We've already become competitive with wine, why NOT technology too. Northrup-Grumman just placed their future growth here. Why can't the trend continue?

We have world-class universities, the Langly NASA facility, and an existing tech industry in Blacksburg and Herndon already. We have empty manufacturing plants in the valley that could be part of this creative renaissance. We have a good workforce that would allow some industries to localize their operations for both economic and strategic advantage.

Daring to dream the impossible ... why not? After all, Virginia was settled by those who dared to dream the impossible.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling to address graduates

Virginia's Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will be the commencement speaker for graduates in two ceremonies over the weekend.

At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, he will address the Arete Christian Academy graduation at Fairmount Christian Church in Mechanicsville.

Sunday, May 16, the Lieutenant Governor will be at the 10:00 a.m. graduation for Christopher Newport University where he will deliver the commencement address.

Having listened to the LG address a variety of audiences over the years, I know his uplifting address and way of speaking will energize and be appreciated by all.

Congratulations to Kevin Bolling, son of Bill and Jean Ann Bolling, who graduated May 8 from James Madison University. It's graduation season....

Graduation day at James Madison University

Congratulations to the
Class of 2010
James Madison University

Go, Dukes!

Jimmy Carter at JMU Monday to receive "Global Nonviolence Award"

Jimmy Carter called the 9/12 marchers in Washington, DC, "racists."

He ... was ... wrong.

I was a 9/12 marcher ... I am not a racist. Mr. Carter is very presumptuous to make that decision about a million Americans peaceably standing up to be heard in D.C.

I have written commentary on Jimmy Carter before ... said it then and I'll say it again: "With all due respect ... Jimmy Carter needs to shut up."

Now Harrisonburg's James Madison University wants to award him the "Global Nonviolence Award" on Monday, September 21.

JMU's press release about the event said:

The award ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2009, at JMU Convocation Center, 895 University Boulevard, Harrisonburg.

Reserved seating for the event is sold out but $5 general admission seats are still available. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the ceremony and are available online; by phone at 540.568.3853; or for pick-up at JMU Convocation Center Ticket Office (Entrance D).

Many JMU students protested Barack Obama's presence on campus last fall. Word is they will do the same with Jimmy Carter on Monday.

JMU ... thanks for the great season, Dukes!

Montana beat James Madison University Friday night ... but what will be remembered is the great season this team had and the memories they gave to JMU.

Thanks for the great season, Dukes!

JMU quarterback receives 2008 Dudley Award

The background color of the headline banner across the Richmond Times-Dispatch this morning is JMU purple in honor of James Madison University's first-time ever receiving of the Dudley Award to their quarterback, Rodney Landers of Virginia Beach.

Usually the award, named for star player "Bullet" Bill Dudley of UVa and NFL fame and awarded to the best player from nine state schools that compete in the NCAA, goes to a University of Virginia or Virginia Tech player.

Not this year.

The JMU Dukes had a winning season (12-1) led by Mr. Landers and the rest of the JMU team ... and their hard work was rewarded at the ceremony held last night in Richmond.

Tune in tonight when JMU hosts Montana at 8:00 pm. Catch it on ESPN 2.

Congrats to the JMU Dukes football team and to Rodney Landers.

JMU Marching Dukes to be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

In our family it is a tradition to have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on the TV in the kitchen where cooks are preparing the meal ... and in the family room where others are visiting and the kids are playing.

This year we will have an extra reason to be watching. My son's alma mater, James Madison University, is honored to have their JMU Marching Dukes band participating in New York City. It is the largest band in the school's history ... 474 strong.

Go, Dukes!

Happy 100th Birthday, JMU!

Happy birthday to James Madison University in Harrisonburg. From a start with 150 students to today's modern campus of 17,000 students, this stalwart of higher education continues to grow. My son's alma mater (JMU Class of 2007), it has educated many Valley students throughout the years. Congratulations, JMU!

JMU College Republicans adopt a platoon

What a patriotic group of College Republicans we have at James Madison University. They have raised money and adopted a platoon ... and have challenged other colleges to do the same. These are our future leaders and we are proud that they recognize and honor our troops. Kudos to our JMU College Republicans!

Hoo-rah!

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com