Let John Play

An update from Let John Play : With the start of the school year, John is now back at Fork Union Military Academy as a Junior. He is working hard on his studies and putting lots of energy into learning how to improve his skills as a wrestler. This past summer he enjoyed wrestling camp although sustained an injury that slowed him down a bit. We will update you in the coming months in how he progresses as a wrestler.

Sadly, Homeschoolers in Virginia are still unable to engage in Public School sports programs like they are in many other states. The last several years, the Virginia Governor ended the dreams of homeschoolers each time with a veto. It would be great to elect someone as the next Virginia Governor who is not intent on limiting the possibilities of homeschooled athletes.

We at Let John Play, sadly note, on February 20th, Virginia's Governor veto'd the 'Tebow bill' - for the third year in a row.

McAuliffe said in his veto message: “Allowing home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic competitions would disrupt the level playing field Virginia’s public schools have developed over the past century"

Level playing field?

I am not sure if the Governor has ever looked up the term 'level playing field' ---- a level playing field is a concept about fairness, not that each player has an equal chance to succeed, but that they all play by the same set of rules . 26 other states currently view our Governor's unwise logic as outdated as they allow home schooled Athletes - on the field

How can a home-schooled Athlete in the old Dominion play by the same set of rules, if they can't even play?

Let us work this coming year, in the hopes that Virginia will have a wise new Governor that will - Let John Play.

We at Let John Play, have had an enjoyable fall and winter - watching John, a home-schooler until fall 2016, and the name sake of this page - become a day student at Fork Union Military Academy. As a day student, he became eligible to participate as a student athlete - in the much vaunted FUMA athletic programs.

John made the most of his eligibility last fall by earning playing time on the Junior prep football team, playing special teams and defense. This winter he joined the wrestling team, earning a spot and wrestling in his first tournaments.

You may remember, last year when still a home-schooler, John joined the efforts of many others, in support of Delegate Rob Bell, and Congressman Tom Garrett, to encourage our Governor, to allow home-schoolers to play on a public school sports team.

Acting against common sense, the Governor vetoed the measure - for the second year in a row. This stroke of the pen set in motion events that changed what we could do for John, and left many other home-schooled athletes in the dust.

Guess what, The 'Tebow bill' may end up on his desk again. Let us hope that he won't continue to use antiquated logic that was rejected in the 26 other states that allow homeschoolers to participate.

Let's again contact Governor Mc Auliffe and encourage him to let the many other 'John's' out there, play.

We at Let John Play would like to Congratulate Congressman - elect Tom Garrett on his recent election victory.

Congressman - elect Garrett, along with Delegate Rob Bell, have
fought hard for the ability of home-schooled athletes in Virginia to be able to play on public school sports teams.

Delegate Bell, Congressman - elect Garrett, and John, are pictured here, earlier this year, in front the the Virginia governor's mansion trying to encourage the governor to vote the right way - and sadly he did not.

Congressman - elect Garrett, thank you for your efforts here in The Commonwealth. We will be praying for you as you embark on a new journey to represent us in Washington, D.C. - Godspeed!

We at Let John Play, have been having a fun fall watching John be part of the Fork Union Military Academy Junior Prep football team.
John has enjoyed going to FUMA and being part of the football team. He sees some action each week on special teams and on some occasions on defense. His next game is this Thursday at 330pm at Fork Union.

We are so happy he has the chance to be part of the team and to learn the lessons in life that team sports provides. Regretfully, this simple pastime is still being denied homeschoolers - in light of the arcane vetoes - two years in a row - by Governor Terry McAullife. Let us hope that this go around our dear Governor will let hundreds of homeschooled athletes ----that don't have the opportunity that John now has ---to have the chance to play on a public school sports team as they do now in 26 other states.

We at Let John Play are excited to announce some amazing news! Last year, John-- the homeschooled athlete-- had a very simple desire to play on a public school sports team. This fall, John will get his chance to play football, though not as a homeschooler.

This is no thanks to Virginia Governor Terry McAullife, who continues to keep Virginia's homeschooled athletes off the field.

John is a player on the Junior Prep (JV) team for Fork Union Military Academy and is a day student at the school this year. He is now like any other athlete on any other team; he has the opportunity to compete for a chance to play.

We are excited to enjoy what God has in store for John as he learns and grows from his experiences on the team, both as a player and as a young man.

In regard to the state of Virginia, we will continue in our efforts to encourage our Governor to get with the times and to Let John Play. Please join us in in this effort and encourage Governor McAullife to let homeschooled atheletes play on public school sports teams, just as they do in 26 other states.

And, in case you missed it, take a look at our video from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emg-P6QHfV8

Let John Play Last year, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would allow home school students to play public school sports. Right now, 26 other states all...

John Play -- would like to say Congratulations to Senator Tom Garrett. Recently Senator Garrett was chosen to run for the 5th district Congressional Seat of retiring Congressman Robert Hurt.

Senator Garrett has been a strong supporter of homeschoolers who desire to play sports in Virginia as they do in 26 other states - on Public School Sports teams.

Best wishes Senator Garrett from John Play.

John and his sister Rachel just came back after having a great time at the East Coast Home School Basketball Tournament at Liberty University.

For the past 10 years, various family members of ours have taken part in this tournament on the Albemarle Cougars basketball team. (Thank you to coaches Doug Webb, Lee Messimer, and Christina Webb for a great season.)

The yearly growth of this tournament gives evidence that home school athletic leagues are on the rise nationally. In many areas in Virginia, they provide the only opportunity for sports that exist for a home schooled student. In other areas, the only option for participation would be on a public school team - if our governor would ever decide to stop benching home schooled athletes.

We, at Let John Play, are hopeful that Virginia as a state, and our governor in particular, will get with the times and allow home schooled athletes to have the option to play on a public school team. Let John Play!

http://wina.com/best-seat/dan-gritsko/

This was a radio interview on March 3. Telling John's Story.

Dan Gritsko | NewsRadio WINA A father of a young man who is home schooled joined the show to talk about why his son should be allowed to play on a public school team.

Good morning - with Super Tuesday and the national election past our state again for the moment. Let us return to the issue -- Let John Play

(1) In the next few days, Let John Play, will be encouraging families to contact your Delegates and Senators to support the attempt to over ride the Governors veto. Be nice - thank your representative if they voted right --- and if they voted wrong , then ask them to reconsider.

(2) Contact the Governor and let him know that you are disappointed with his decision.

(3) Look for posts in the coming days about ways we will further this issue. We at Let John Play are excited about the next steps.

(4) Continue to share the Let John Play video with others - It is a simple tool that can be used as an explanation of this issue.

May God bless you with a great day!