Update John's family

[Paula Marie Hamilton]

I just wanted to update you all on a few things. First we are all OK right now. We are hunkered down and not going out much. I wish this was a happy post, but we'll covid played the devil with John's future. Two colleges were looking at John at Jo's, but that got canceled, then John placed 10th in the CMP postal in the US pretty much he was going to Camp Perry for some National medals, but it got canceled. The last straw was trying to get application to schools. See our spring break is early so did the paperwork and thought he could get transcripts first day back. But Covid had other ideas. Indiana is beginning hit hard, shoot 1 of 3 samples are positive. They at first decided to use snow days and E Learning days. They canceled baseball which killed John, they were favored to win state as they did as Freshmen. I can't get anyone to help get transcripts or ACT/Sat to send records, I'm nearly bald over this. So with no scholarship I was going to borrow against my house to help him in school knowing after working with a coach for a season he would transfer or scholarship there, but now I don't even know if Ohio State or Purdue will even accept him. It's crazy.

It's also hard because they canceled everything. No prom, senior night, homecoming, no graduation. They are going to just graduate the seniors as a Pass. No GPA, Class position, no credit for his AP stats class. He is afraid his diploma he has worked so hard for will have the stain of Covid and won't be worth what it should be. It's very hard on him right now. He has kept shooting nearly daily. Not past 2 days because he's helped plant oats, but he is keeping it up. Will try to do Benning and NRA CMP this summer so he can keep his head in the game. Try to ease some of the pain


Our newspaper did a story on John. They got some information about qualifying and such wrong, but it was front page in sports. You all stay safe and take care of yourselves. Paula

http://www.corydondemocrat.com/Arti...ring-on-hold-for-Lanesville-air-rifleman.html

 

[jonbearman]

They did the same thing to me years ago with PASS for 2 straight years. It hurt my chances at a lot of jobs. Very sad this is ruining chances for young people who are almost ready to depart and join the work force or go to college. I am so sorry. May God Bless Your Family .

 

[rebel]

My daughter is in here freshman year. Dealing with same mamn.

 

[Paula Marie Hamilton]

I think back to my senior year and it kills me. I wasn't a big social star, but a core group of us went out prom, did carriage rides, ate at a fancy place, and the after prom party. Not only that, but my dad was very sick, he died the next year, so senior night in softball with him, and he got to see me blast a triple in the semi state game. Most of all when I walked across the stage I knew how hard I worked to get that diploma. It meant something to me. I can't imagine my son loosing all that, Jo's, and CMP nationals and potential scholarships. Not to mention he asked if I thought for sure if college would go back in the fall. I don't know. I keep telling him we are alive and everything else will work out in time. God I hope it does workout soon.

For all of you with kids watch for depression and suicide. They have never been cutoff like this. Never had to stay lock up, loss of school routine, even church is gone. Our kids are hurting, we need to lookout for them, and help them. I'm just saying it's on us to look after them. Parents, uncle /aunts, grands, this is our job now.

 

[V509]

I do feel for the high school grads, a good friends daughter was looking to set the school record in shot and discus....not gonna happen.
One door closes and two more open, just need to be patient

 

[LitLBoy]

Try to remember this is nation wide. As far as their future they are all pretty much on the same playing field. don't see collages holding it against them.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I think back to my senior year and it kills me. I wasn't a big social star, but a core group of us went out prom, did carriage rides, ate at a fancy place, and the after prom party. Not only that, but my dad was very sick, he died the next year, so senior night in softball with him, and he got to see me blast a triple in the semi state game. Most of all when I walked across the stage I knew how hard I worked to get that diploma. It meant something to me. I can't imagine my son loosing all that, Jo's, and CMP nationals and potential scholarships. Not to mention he asked if I thought for sure if college would go back in the fall. I don't know. I keep telling him we are alive and everything else will work out in time. God I hope it does workout soon.

For all of you with kids watch for depression and suicide. They have never been cutoff like this. Never had to stay lock up, loss of school routine, even church is gone. Our kids are hurting, we need to lookout for them, and help them. I'm just saying it's on us to look after them. Parents, uncle /aunts, grands, this is our job now.

if most kids were not raised to be hidden from any tiny discomfort given anything they wanted being pampered all the time they would be able to deal with this and find a way to make it fun

 

[orkan]

He is afraid his diploma he has worked so hard for will have the stain of Covid and won't be worth what it should be. It's very hard on him right now.

I would instruct him not to worry. Unless he is wanting to become a lawyer, doctor, or some other thing that requires a degree... he is better off without the debt or worry that college creates in young people's lives.

I have no degree, yet the world hasn't been able to stop me from performing work of my choosing, while being adequately compensated for it. I've accomplished much, with much yet to do. With the internet at our fingertips, there is not much we aren't able to learn. Some years ago, within the course of 6 weeks, I had taught myself how to use a CAD program, had created a priming system many of you know and love, and had a patent application submitted. Prior to that date, I had never touched a piece of cad software. I didn't go to college for "drafting." Why would I? Instead, I simply set out to achieve the goal I had in my mind.

This young fella you write of... he would be far better off without the debt or trouble of college. He could choose a skill he wants to devote his life to, and set out to become an expert in that field right now, today. Once he knows more than most, he can demand a price of his choosing for his services, products, and knowledge.

Too many young people view the attendance of college as the requisite for the rest of their lives. It simply is not so. There is a bright future in front of that man, and it is there for his choosing.

 

[Paula Marie Hamilton]

He is going to be a pilot. He has known that since he was 7 and we flew to Alaska. He did vocational school in HS with ROTC quite an accomplishment in itself. He has his students pilots license and ground school completed with 10 flight hours completed ready for solos. Ohio State was the only school with Aviation degree an NCAA shooting team outside Airforce /Navel Academy. I have no doubt he will be a pilot, it's how to get him there while letting him shoot is the wrinkle. His life goal is to get his BS, Commercial pilot go Navy/Airforce as officer retire, then fly UPS/Carrier. He and I talk about it alot. Hopefully all this will calm down, and he can figure out how to get his goals.

 

[orkan]

Proper application of will power, and nothing will stand in his way.

He's made a decision. That is significantly further along than most people get in their entire lives. I applaud him.

 

[pfiori]

I believe that The University of Memphis has recently added an Aviation degree program and they have a rifle team. Also, don't overlook your states National Guard as a route to an education and becoming a pilot.

 

[DirtySteve]

I know he wants to go to the AF Academy. But if he doesn't mind flying helicopters the Army might be a way to get off the ground and flying. He could find a college with an ROTC program..

The key is do not dwell on what can not be changed. Focus on a way to move forward or find a work around.

May God Bless you both..

 

[butchlambert]

A few of the long time shooters know the top BR rifle painter, Michael Kavanaugh. Michael was a young man on his on. He started college at UNT and painted stocks to pay his way. He visited the Navy recruiter and they offered to pay for his schooling. After graduation he went back to his recruiter and said he was ready to enlist. They said, no. They asked him to get his Masters which they paid for. In a few short years Michael is a Lt. Commander. He did this on his own as his parents were not able to finance his education or living expenses.
Kav is like a Son to me. One of my Grandsons has another year at the U. of Arkansas and will be headed to the Air Force.
Take your Son to the recruiters and see what they can do to help him.

 

[BoomDeBoom]

I strongly agree with Butch about looking into the military opportunities available. For those who need financial help they have many programs that can help. All of the services have rifle teams and John could have an opportunity to continue his shooting. His ROTC experience should also help. If he is patient and so inclined the military can often help him achieve his goals.

 

[SEGARE]

There is still much to be determined about how students are accepted, scholarships are awarded, etc...everyone is in the same boat with your son. The University system of Georgia isn't using the SAT/ACT for fall admission, and they may find that going forward their retention and graduation rates don't suffer. That would be bad news for those testing companies. Stay on top of things at any colleges that interest him, and be ready to push the submit button ASAP.

 

[boltman13]

Since you live in Indiana you are probably familiar with Purdue University's Professional Pilot Program. They also have both Air Force and Navy ROTC. While the Rifle Team does not offer scholarships it is a nationality competitive team at the Club level. Best of luck.

 

[riverwolf1]

I would contact the Army Marksmanship Training Unit at Fort Benning Ga. and tell them what his shooting accomplishments are, and see if they are interested in him.

 

[Paula Marie Hamilton]

Since you live in Indiana you are probably familiar with Purdue University's Professional Pilot Program. They also have both Air Force and Navy ROTC. While the Rifle Team does not offer scholarships it is a nationality competitive team at the Club level. Best of luck.

We looked at that, but believe it or not they closed enrollment in January.

I'm also not even sure college will go back in the fall. I was a nurse for nearly 20 years so out of bordom I started reading all the medical journals I could get believing I could convince some clubs to possibly open thinking this covid wasn't worse than the flu. Even though I had an agenda I reviewed the info as though I was writing a report. I walked away more scared than ever. I'm not sure a dorm with kids from multi states, even countries living side by side isn't a stew set up for inflations and mutations. The best test they have still has a 30% false negative meaning 30% of people tested are positive, but show neg. There is also between 10- 22% of people with no symptoms, no feaver ect, but capable of infecting others. Think of a college dorm with 600 kids 4 are asymptomatic and neg on the test. Now take that 4 have them go to gigantic classes. One chokes on a M&M, luckily he coughs real hard a couple times and it comes up. He just potentially infected 30-40 people. In a peer reviewed article on airborne transmission it showed measurable virus material 16 feet from a positive person coughing. So much for 6 foot rule. No with my compromised immune system I fear John going anywhere until a treatment/cure/vaccine comes along.

Hey, this is just my opinion, and if you want I can give you the names of the articles I read.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll have John follow up on the info you gave.

Paula