Distinctively Different Brothers, One School

By Leslie Cranford, section manager

As siblings just two years apart in age, Ethan and Eli Ponce de Leon couldn’t be more different – in personality, in leisure pursuits, in goals – but Texas Tech K-12 suits them both on their academic pathway.

The brothers are both in their third year in the school: Ethan, 15, is in ninth grade, his first year in Texas Tech High School, and Eli, 13, is in sixth grade in the program’s middle school. They’re the oldest two of six siblings, with a 6-year-old brother and three sisters, ages 9, 4 and 2.

Their mom, Stefanie McGill, says that after a mix of public school, the COVID-19 pandemic and another homeschool curriculum, she was looking for something more structured for the older boys, as their previous program wasn’t so user-friendly.

She was acquainted with Texas Tech K-12’s then-principal Cari Moye, and Stefanie thought it would be a good program to try because of its structure, accreditation and Texas Education Agency-approved curriculum.

The Tumbler

Eli spends time practicing power tumbling, focusing on floor, trampoline and double-mini (trampoline) – which is essentially like two mini-trampolines joined together, enabling more intricate aerial maneuvers than a standard trampoline. At age 9 he took a class in gymnastics at his public school and was hooked. The next year he started his training in power tumbling. Now he’s at the gym a minimum of seven hours a week with practices and private lessons when his team is not competing, but he’s at it many more hours adding on meets during competition season, which, if he’s lucky, can run from January through July.

Competition begins at a district level, state, then regional and nationals, which are held in July each year.

“I have to try to qualify at state because at regionals it’s harder judges and a lot more competition,” Eli said.

The young gymnast did indeed qualify at state meets for nationals twice in two years. Traveling to Orlando in 2023, he placed fifth in double-mini and third in trampoline. This year the national competition was in Dallas, where he qualified solely in double-mini, taking fifth place.

Waiting for results at nationals in Florida, Eli was extra nervous because he knew he’d made a mistake on double-mini on his back tuck, explaining that he “could have kicked it out more.” But he was also excited because he knew he did really well.

“I was happy about my results because the boys I faced were a lot bigger than me, and were getting a lot higher and all that, and they didn't look my age, but I guess they were,” Eli explained.

Eli says he couldn’t participate at this level of competition without the flexibility of schooling through Texas Tech K-12. As with all the school’s curriculum, his classes are completely self-paced and portable, which means doing the coursework around his hours upon hours of practice and taking it with him when he’s traveling.

The Musician

As gregarious and outgoing as Eli is, Ethan is equally reserved and shy, yet Stefanie describes the older brother as a fun-loving people person.

Ethan’s passion is music, and he is accomplished on guitar, drums and piano. He first picked up a guitar in fourth grade when his teacher at school offered a guitar program. Now he aspires to play as part of the praise team at the church his family attends, but he enjoys most genres of music.

The structure of Texas Tech K-12, which Stefanie was so drawn to, surprised Ethan, as he was expecting a more typical homeschool program – mostly self-directed with only minimum outside input. But having accessible teachers to ask for help when needed is one of the things he likes most about the online school. His favorite subject is world geography.

Ethan also is bilingual, having participated in a dual-language school as part of his public schooling prior to being homeschooled.

The Parent

Stefanie is honest about the transition to Texas Tech K-12, saying at first it can be kind of intimidating, with the boys having to learn and navigate all the technology, but in the end, she sees it as beneficial. When they get discouraged, as it is a rigorous program, she tells them it’s great preparation for college.

“Just having to be responsible for all your assignments, it’s a lot of work, but that’s real life,” she said. “You know there are consequences when you don’t do work. I think it’s good for them as far as time management, responsibility and learning how to work hard.”

Stefanie also appreciates the assistance the school’s staff offers regarding next steps for college and other questions. Sometimes in homeschooling situations, a student is getting ready for higher education, and the parent or student doesn’t know what items are needed – like a driver’s license and verification of enrollment. She said with Texas Tech K-12 she can just email them, and they’re glad to help navigate.

The Present and Future

If six children aren’t enough to keep a family busy, this particular bunch also has four dogs and 14 chickens. The two middle siblings are homeschooled through a separate program, and the 4-year-old is in preschool.

Ethan and Eli both love snowboarding, having been to wintry sites in Colorado and New Mexico. The boys participate in youth group, a weekly Bible study and are part of a group of about six boys – all sets of brothers – who often hang out at their house. The family participates in outside activities with other homeschool kids from a citywide organization that sponsors events such as a homecoming dance, holiday parties and more.

Eli likes outdoor activities including camping and hunting with his dad and brothers; he particularly likes archery. Cooking and art are also on his hobby list. Ethan plays basketball, enjoys computers and hanging out with friends.

For all their differences, though, the boys are both gravitating toward medical careers, at least at this point.

To the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up,” Ethan says he’s still figuring that out, but Stefanie says he’s possibly looking at being an orthodontist. He does want to stay close to home, which might put him at Texas Tech doing some kind of pre-med major. But still having a few years until college, he has time to consider it.

Eli also aspires to go to medical school and become a pediatric general surgeon. He has hopes of receiving a gymnastics scholarship somewhere, but he would also gladly attend Texas Tech.

Wherever the two brothers land, no matter how different their paths, Texas Tech K-12 is giving them each the solid foundation they need for success in the future. Stefanie thinks so, too.

“I love the challenge Texas Tech K-12 presents for my children, as it propels them to be and do their very best,” she said. “The lessons it has taught them are endless and are so fitting for their differences in personalities. It truly is such an adaptable yet flexible program that meets my boys right where they are, yet encourages their growth into well-rounded mature citizens of our great world.”