Less than nine percent of American children are homeschooled every year. Samuel Deel happens to be of them. The 18-year-old has lived in Salem his whole life and wants to become a pastor and/or teacher one day. He is this week’s Q&A participant.
How long have you lived in Salem?
I have lived in the same three-bedroom home in Salem for my entire life.
What went into the decision of you getting homeschooled?
I was a three-pounder, born two months early. As an infant and young child, I dealt with severe motor issues. My mother had earned three education certifications and was a special education specialist. Given her experience, it made a decent amount of sense for her to devote her knowledge and expertise to giving me a one-on-one tutoring experience custom designed for my specific needs. I was also very close to my mother from the beginning, so the homeschooling setup was an advantage in that aspect as well.
Quality family time was an integral part of my first few years, and homeschooling was a perfect option for continuing that. More specifically, homeschooling offered my parents a legitimate option for educating me in the Christian Faith, a central aspect of my upbringing that is now the most important part of who I am as a person.
Who are the individuals that had the biggest impact on your life?
My parents, next to God, are undoubtedly the most crucial individuals to whom I owe anything positive that I have accomplished. My father has been an example of gentle strength from the beginning, always there for me while also being humble enough to stand in the background if I needed him to. He retired earlier than he had to for the purpose of spending more time with his two children.
My mother in particular has been my teacher nearly as long as she has been a part of my life at all. She has balanced the intricacy of being both my educator and my parent with phenomenal love and efficiency. Throughout my life she has encouraged me to explore and to challenge myself, given me the tools to grow academically, musically and spiritually, and reminded me daily how much I am loved. In recent years, she has completed a task that can be incredibly difficult for a teacher: She willingly released me to other exceptional instructors, both college and high school level, so that my education while under her roof would be more complete.
Additionally, I have to thank my sister, Annaleigh. Her sparkling personality and unceasing love and support have helped me to reach beyond my comfort zone in ways I could barely begin to describe.
What is your favorite and least favorite school subject?
Writing is undoubtedly my favorite subject. I used to detest it, but it finally started to click for me a few years ago. My least favorite subject is most likely Web Design. I don’t despise it; I simply do not enjoy it. The end goal fascinates me, but the process of reaching that goal does not.
Can you talk about any awards/honors/recognitions you’ve received over the years?
My most prestigious award would have to be my status as a National Merit Commended Scholar. In all honesty, I was somewhat disappointed that my selection index score of 221 missed Virginia’s semifinalist cutoff of 222, elevated from last year and higher than that of 45 states in the union, by a single point. Nonetheless, it is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful for the accolade. Aside from that, I have first place national awards in both “Male Vocal Solo” and “Piano Solo” in Teen Talent, a competition within an event called “Youth Quest.” Also, I earned second place in the same event for the category “Vocal Instrumental Solo” with an original composition. I have earned the Gold Medal of Achievement for Royal Rangers, as well as “Outpost Ranger of the Year” two consecutive years. The GMA is considered in many circles to be an equivalent award to the Eagle Scout.
How prepared do you feel for life after high school as of October 2017?
I definitely feel mostly ready for life after high school, which, in my case, will likely be life on a college campus. I have plenty of room for personal growth, but am truly excited about independence. I do not feel that I have been utterly shut off from real-world experience as a result of being educated largely at home. Community service, extensive travel, numerous extracurricular activities and dual-enrollment classes in particular, I think, have prepared me for the rigor and pitfalls of the new schedule, a new type of course-load, and individuals far more diverse than any I have had much experience with thus far. Granted, certain issues will be trial and error situations, such as crafting my own diet and doing my own laundry, but I do feel as prepared as the next high school senior.
What are some of your hobbies?
I play piano and sing, primarily for the purpose of worship. I write music, and I am in the midst of writing a series of five books. My genre is traditional fantasy, but the stories are a bit of a departure from the way most traditional fantasy writers go about world-building. The series will be entitled “Bathed in Flame,” and my intent is to create it in such a way as to be child-friendly while also possessing depth that an adult would hopefully enjoy. The plot is completely fleshed out, but I have not had time to complete a large amount of the writing itself. That is my most involved hobby at this point. I honestly consider it to be more than a hobby. I have also played fifteen seasons of soccer. Injuries continue to pop up at terrible times, so I am not playing this season. Other interests include chess, reading, singing and worshipping a cappella and video games.
How would you describe your family?
In a word, I would describe my immediate family as “loving.” I have older parents; they waited fifteen years for my arrival, and another five for my sister’s. We consistently try to support each other; even as I progress through my last year of high school, we remain close. I believe we always will.
Only two of my grandparents lived to see my birth. One was 70 and the other was 78. Primarily because of age difference and geography, I have never had the advantage of an incredibly close-knit extended family, but all of us love each other, and I know that they support me.
Are there any books you’ve read that you would recommend to others?
I would definitely recommend “The Lord of the Rings” to anyone older than nine or so. The story is phenomenal, and to a large extent, it redefined fantasy. One author stated that it has “many times been repeated, but never surpassed.” Yes, I would concede that the read itself is cumbersome, but the gold that the reader will mine as a result is well worth the cost of admission. I would also recommend various books of a philosophical nature, including “Stealing from God,” “The Case for Christ,” “Out of the Silent Planet,” “The Atheist who Didn’t Exist,” and “Darwinism on Trial.” All of them have helped me immeasurably in understanding why a traditional, “rustic” religion such as Christianity holds water intellectually in this “age of information.” There are many others, but those hit the basics rather well.
Paint a picture for me Sam. Where and how do you see yourself in 15 years?
At this point in my life, I am defined by a compulsion to reach the world for Jesus Christ. In fifteen years, I see myself as a pastor, or at least some kind of teacher. I have a vision to intellectually defend Christianity, and I see myself fulfilling that vision in the future. I see myself with a family, homeschooling my own children, teaching them beyond an education of rigid uniformity and memorization – teaching them how to think. I see myself publishing my novels and potentially writing others. I see myself releasing albums of original songs. Most importantly, I hope that in fifteen years I will be serving and glorifying my Creator to the best of my ability.
-Compiled by Shawn Nowlin
