Running Start

You may know Laurie by her signature line, Eiraul. She has three boys with a wide age span (currently ages 28, 18 and 3!), with an 8 yr old grand daughter thrown into the mix, just for fun. She has homeschooled for 15 years in six states. She started homeschooling by withdrawing her oldest son mid-year from his 8th grade public school and has never reconsidered.

Her only regret is she didn't take the plunge at least two years earlier.

Her middle son is currently attending his first year at the Grays Harbor College as a full time Running Start student with hopes to attend BYU-I after he returns from his mission. Due to Laurie's health issues, frequent moves, hubby out of town or out of country for long stretches, and the wide age span of her children, she has learned to trust her instincts and Heavenly Father's direction, relying on eclectic and relaxed styles of homeschooling. Guess what; it still works!

Her family has a focus on Scouting, primary, Aaronic Priesthood, seminary and other church led programs, as the foundation for their curriculum and homeschooling lifestyle. She fervently believes that if her children leave home with a basic education and a firm testimony, they will be well prepared to find their proper place in the world. It will be exciting to see just what that 'proper place' will be!

Heike Smith:

Heike Smith began her family’s home schooling adventure almost ten years ago. Heike likes to consider herself a facilitator and uses whatever means feel right to help her family on their educational journey. At a young age the children learn with mom and as they grow older the children begin to take classes through outside sources, like The Potter’s School, still under mom’s supervision. Heike’s oldest son took a few classes for one year at the local community college before heading off to BYU one year early. His siblings are thrilled he is now home for the summer, and his parents are proud of his academic achievement his first year away from home. He will be returning to BYU in the fall for one more semester before heading off on his mission. He has figured out he can leave the week before Christmas (his birthday is in January) but mom has something else to say about that! Heike’s second child, a daughter, is enrolled full-time at Bellevue Community College in the Running Start Program. She will graduate with an AA in a year and then head off to BYU. Heike is not sure what her next children will do as they grow older, it depends on where their interests lie. Her third daughter is auditioning for Hi-Tones, a choral group at the local High School that meets after school. She wants to try out for BYU’s Music, Dance, and Theater program (Young Ambassadors) so her High School experience will need to be different to prepare for her auditions. She will likely take a few classes at the High School. The younger boys are, well, younger boys and who knows where their educational pursuits will lead. One child would probably prefer to pursue Lacrosse and any other sport, and Heike’s last would probably prefer to stay home with Mom and Dad forever. Can’t beat that! Heike is juggling home school with her responsibilities as ward Primary President and as a member of the board of Columbia Choirs in which her daughters participate.

Maureen Tarwick:

I was born in Shelby, Montana. When I was 5 we moved to the Conrad area and lived in the farmhouse my grandfather built and that my mother grew up in. I went to a one-room country schoolhouse (like Little House on the Prairie) until the 6th grade. It was a fantastic experience and one that I feel mirrored the homeschool experience in many ways. I entered the "public school system" when I was in 6th grade. I graduated from Conrad High School and went on to complete a semester at Ricks College. I then served a mission in Arizona and when I came home I met my husband who was serving his mission in my hometown. Our first date was when I flew down to Florida to meet his family. We had already scheduled our temple date before our "first date". We have a 21yo son serving in the Brazil Sao Paulo East mission and who'll be home in August. He received his ATA degree from SPSCC in Computer Network Admin. through Running Start before he left. Our second son is 16 and has been homeschooled since 9th grade and is looking forward to doing Running Start classes. Our daughter is 7 and is currently homeschooled.

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Running Start is a wonderful way for your homeschooled high school to get “running start” on their college education. Come listen as three veteran mothers discuss the journey they have had as they have guided their teenagers through this program.

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