Homeschool Graduate
Issachar Anderson
Graduation Year
Class of 2010
School/Support Group Affiliation
Haile Selassie High School, Sankofa Educational Enrichment Program, & NSBE
Homeschooling experience
Issachar has been a homeschooler all of his life. He is a self-motivated student who has taught himself many things. He has wanted to be an electrical and mechanical engineer and inventor since he was eight years old, so it's no surprise that his favorite subjects are math and science.
Issachar was a member of several homeschool groups throughout the years. He also participated in Sankofa, which is a four year Saturday program for high school students that teaches them African and African-American history as well as critical thinking skills. This year Issachar enjoyed an online home school program.
Accomplishments/Future Goals
Issachar is such a forward-thinking young man that he convinced his math teacher to allow him to take two calculus classes in preparation for the rigors of an engineering program in college, and he has maintained an "A" average in both classes. In his physics class, he built a working clock made out of paper and a rocket that he launched at a local park.
Issachar is the Cadet Lieutenant of an Aeronautics Club, a member of the local chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Association, and a member of NSBE, Jr. at a local high school. He also attended science and engineering summer camps at Proctor & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati. He was the head programmer for his NSBE team, which won 2nd place in a robotics competition sponsored by UC College of Engineering & Applied Science. He won 1st place in two divisions at the M2SE Science Fair for the egg drop invention and mousetrap car race. He received the John Lucky Scholar award and a college book scholarship for maintaining an "A-B" average in his math and science classes.
Issachar was a member of the 1st place team in the Alpha Esquire Black History Quiz Bowl, and he shares this enriching history with the public as a Cultural Presenter at the Cincinnati Museum Center. He works at a local supermarket, and has owned his own landscaping business since he was 12 years old. Issachar also has a very caring heart, especially for those who are less fortunate than him. He volunteers at a local free store and food pantry, and he has been doing this since he was in the sixth grade. We are so proud of his spirit of humanitarianism.
Issachar loves to play the acoustic and electric guitar, the piano and synthesizer. He has enjoyed Little League Football and Tang Su Do martial arts. Issachar is also famous for performing 15 back flips in a row on his trampoline in the backyard. Sometimes he's been known to have the family dog accompany him. Issachar has traveled extensively with his family throughout the years. He has visited Africa, Canada, the Sea Islands, North and South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Chicago, New York, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, and Michigan.
In the fall of 2010, Issachar will attend Northern Kentucky University's Engineering Program. In the future, Issachar plans to have his own engineering company and work towards inventing energy-efficient appliances and formulating alternative sources of energy.
Advice
- Anyone can home school. Even if you (or others) don't think you have the knowledge, skills, experience, resources, or patience, you can do it.
- You don't have to have a college degree. You can have a friend, or a friend of a friend of a friend, who is a teacher, supervise and evaluate your curriculum, daily planner, and your children's progress.
- Check out the after school and community programs at local schools, rec centers, libraries, colleges, online, and with professionals you know. Utilize these resources to the max to supplement your homeschool program.
- Don't give up! It's worth it...and breath.
