Daniel Sanders: Thinks He’s Pretty “Normal!”

I am delighted to feature today’s interview!  I personally find Mr. Daniel Sanders to be far from “normal!”  I think that he is quite an extraordinary young man.  He is intelligent, witty, a tremendous role model and friend, and quite humble.  I have so enjoyed the privilege of knowing Daniel and his family.  His mom and dad host a weekly youth gathering in their home for scholar age youth, and don’t even have family members that participate!  They are an incredibly visionary family that definitely moves the cause of liberty and I thank all of them today!  We need more people like the Sanders in this world…no doubt about it!  XO, TommyMom

Hola, Daniel!

Hi, Mrs. Helms.

We finally connect!  What’s up?

Um, not much, really.  I’m sitting here on my bed!

How’s school going?

It’s going great so far!  I love all of my classes and I’m having a really good time.  So far, I’ve been involved in two simulations here and I have already gained some insights into things that I wouldn’t have considered just reading an article or a book.

You’re at BYU, Provo, correct?

Yes, I am.

May I inquire as to why you chose to go there?

Yes.  I’m not exactly sure what I want to do for a major and this is a good school to attend for this type of contemplation.  I like being around people of my own faith, and while not everyone here is, the majority are.

That’s great.  Do you have any idea as to what you are possibly going to pursue?

I’m hoping to get into the music program here.  I have auditioned and they said that I am on the wait list because of my high level of performance.

Daniel, your recital was nothing short of amazing!  You should’ve considered charging all of us to attend!  It was beautiful.

Thanks, Mrs. Helms.

The amount of work that went into that celebration is mind boggling, and I always appreciate what a tremendously humble young man you are.  You are a great role model and never “toot your own horn.”  It’s very refreshing.  I’m proud to know you. In addition to all of these overly mushy accolades, it is a HUGE plus in my book that you are funny to boot!

You grew up in a Leadership Education environment, and there are a LOT of people that read TommyMom that would love to know that Leadership Education really works!  I’ve had requests to have Sons #1 and #2 write a post…

I think I’ll start with you instead…scary stuff!

(Laughs at the above statement…a little too energetically, I might add!)  How ARE the guys?  I really really miss them.

I would be lying if I didn’t confess that your name comes up quite often, generally accompanied by bouts of hysterical laughter!

They really do miss having you around, Mr. Sanders.  Now back to the question at hand, please.

Will you please tell them hello? ( Yes.)

I think that there are a couple of things that come to mind regarding a Leadership Education home…

The first would definitely be the freedom of scheduling; which is very helpful for me.  I’m not sure I would’ve been able to go as far as I have with my music because I might have been “too busy” if it had been an “additional” piece of my day, rather than a natural part of it.

I have to constantly strive for balance, due to some health challenges that I have faced for quite some time.  Busy work doesn’t always allow for that, but Leadership Education allows for adjustment when necessary based on the individual and what they can handle and prioritize. For example, if I needed more time with Math, I took it.  English may need to be looked at tomorrow.  I have always tried to look at what I HAD done.  Sometimes you’re having an emotionally tough or mentally challenging day and it’s nice to adjust so that learning can be maximized.

What do you see as one of the biggest “myths” where home education is concerned?

When I’ve met people in different social settings, it is always humorous to hear that they think that I’m “normal!”  I consider myself to be a pretty social individual and I laugh when people bring up the perceived lack of social skills associated with home education.  I honestly think that in many cases, our social skills tend to be better!  We’re not spending all day with one age group.  We have to be diverse and work within every possible age range in order to get things done.  For me, this has made it a lot easier to relate to and converse with most anyone.

What would you say you’ve appreciated most about your Dad and Mom where Leadership Education has been concerned?

I have appreciated my Mom and Dad’s support, understanding and willingness to personalize my education.

When I saw things that I thought that I was interested in, they would always try to help me pursue them by doing the necessary research and providing materials, skills, etc.

You are the youngest in your family.  What did you glean by observing your siblings?

Well, my mom expected a lot from the older siblings.  There were many things that we all did together as activities; but then I was secure in the fact that I could see what the next step in my educational process looked like and what would be expected of me as an individual when I reached a particular age.

Can you name three of your all time favorite classics for me?

Oh man!  Do you mean books?

I mean classics.  In literature, music, art, whatever you would like.  Deep breaths..this is not a test, it is an interview.

Okay, this is really, really, tough, but I’m going to go with Ender’s Game as a book choice, Rochmananov’s Prelude in C# minor, and…The Book of Mormon.

Is this your final answer?  If you’re stuck on an island with these three things, you’re good?

Yes, I’m good.

He wasn’t, really.  He later e-mailed me, asking to “be the exception” and add ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ to this grouping.  I told him I have the power to change all on this blog, to which he replied, ‘You have ALL POWER.  I’ve known that for awhile now.’

See why I am especially fond of this kid?!?

In thinking about it some more, I think that ‘The Seven Habits for Teens’ is a simple ‘how to’ in applying principles that make you effective and it’s a really easy and pleasurable read, very entertaining.

Can you name for me, mentors outside of your immediate family that have had a real impact on you?

Well, several come to mind.  Angela Ward, definitely.

She’s very inspiring and so enthusiastic!  She takes raw talent and can refine that ability; showing me how to figure things out for myself as they apply to Shakespeare.  Doing this and learning this skill, helped me to figure out a lot of other things.

There’s my piano teacher, Susan Jackson.  She has also been very inspiring and has shown me the joy of piano musicianship; whether it be through pushing through and learning some classic pieces or messing around on blue’s scales.  It’s all fun and it’s all good!

And then there’s Pun.  That’s not his actual name, but I met him at a camp for kids with serious or life threatening illness, called the Painted Turtle.  He volunteers regularly at the camp and works with the younger kids.  Everyone loves him.  He brings magic elements to camp in the form of card tricks, things up his sleeve, etc.  He is virtually non-stop with the ability to come up with these great puns. His brain naturally comes up with things that others wouldn’t.

His servant leadership and heart are amazing; in that he chooses to give of his time and talents to others, in order to give them joy and happiness.  He does this with excellence, regardless of the age bracket that he is working with.  He makes everyone smile.

That’s beautiful, Daniel.

What are some of the things that you think you struggle with as a student and young man?

I struggle with being able to work with efficiency.  I feel that it takes me longer to really “get” things sometimes.  I remember when I was taking Calculus last year.  I was spending hours in the math lab.  It wasn’t just about understanding the material.  It was working for speed as well.  Sometimes I feel that this entails me working a little harder in order to keep up.  When I get it, I get it, but sometimes it takes a little longer to get there!

Any idea what your life mission is?  I’m referring to right now, based on your life experiences thus far; your gifts, your talents, even your weakesses?

That, Mrs. Helms, is a fabulous question!  It’s what I’m struggling with somewhat right now.  It is the process of actually figuring and finding that out.  This whole music thing is looking 50/50 right now about acceptance and what not; so it has forced me to look at other things.  I’ve looked into Math, the Sciences, and possibly teaching.  I think that that lifestyle would suit me.  I’m in a real self-discovery stage, being away from my parents and all, for an extended period of time.  ( Well, more than, say, a couple of weeks!)  I’m facing tough decisions and preparing to serve my mission for my church.

Do you have a principle or a philosophy that goes with your personal “make up” that you espouse to?

Yep! You always have a choice.  I laugh when I hear people react to situations and become a victim by choice.  It reminds me of a quote by Richard Bach:’Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they’re yours!’

And I’ve had to do that with myself.  I have to check myself and kind of evaluate what I’m doing.  Am I unhappy or can I make a choice?  As soon as I evaluate that, I can change my perspective.  Just being able to decide, regardless of what may be happening, that I’m going to “do this.”  Once any one of us makes that decision, the capacity has increased exponentially.  Often, I have to change my approach or thought process to something so that I’m no longer the victim.  If I say it’s hard, I’m a victim.  If I say that it’s challenging, then I’m in control of the situation to overcome whatever that obstacle is and conquer!

Well, guess what, my friend?  You’ve definitely passed for today!

I did?

Sweet!

The pleasure, my dear, is certainly mine. I’m feeling pretty confident about the fact that the future is in so many stellar young people’s hands.

This has been fun, Mrs. Helms.  Thank you.

I certainly plan, for the sake of encouraging all of you TommyMoms at home; to keep these scholar interviews going.  Because, let’s face it…

these kids aren’t normal…

They’re extraordinary.

Until Wednesday…