My Boy is Wicked Smart

Each of the children have there own talents and it is great to see them step into their own.  

Grant has participated all year in Science Olympiad - a competitive junior science fair - in Wake county.  Every Thursday afternoon Grant has stayed after school with his team to prepare.  Grant can be scant on the details but they would set up small experiments, test theories, and prepare for the big competition.  He joined with a bunch of his buddies, also very smart, so he found a place where he fits in.  

The competition was held up near North Carolina State University at a magnet Middle School.  We were all impressed how the school looked like a junior college inside. There were bold posters and branding supporting science and technology and how kids fit into it. The facility was new and accommodating and didn't feel old and worn like the Middle School in our town. Grant isn't one to be transparent with his feelings but you could see him projecting himself into the school.

We are gently pushing Grant towards a magnet school for science and math. We can see him thriving academically in a place like a magnet school but possibly at the cost of becoming estranged from his posse.  Grant spent many years as "TJ's brother" and went where TJ went. Grant was indistinguishable from the rest of TJ's friends until about two years ago.  About two years ago, TJ started to hit puberty and Grant started to make his own friends in the neighborhood.  These days, the boys will play together in the house at the end of the day but during the day Grant will get on his bike and take off to one of three houses to play.  If we move him to a magnet school it is very likely that those connections will wither and be replaced by new friendships, but friendships that will not likely be in our neighborhood.

In my Freshman year of High School my parents sent me to a private school. They wanted me to achieve more academically at the cost of being an absolute stranger in this new school. I still remember it clearly; I sat in the from office of John S. Burke Catholic High School I wailed and begged for them not to send me there.  I was thirteen years old (maybe twelve) and bawling my eyes out. I lost. However, my parents were right. I did achieve more academically like they wanted. As a bonus I made friends there that I am still friends with today.  Some of the best formative times of my life were in those years. Looking back, I would not trade them.

It was such a pleasure to see Grant in his element. He looked truly happy and engaged. While his water rocket wasn't the best in the competition, he did take First Place and Third Place in two separate events! In the county! For a kid that has spent the last year in the shadow of track star brother I know Grant was really proud of his accomplishment.  And so are we.