Welcome back to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend Eliya Frantz. Eliya and I have known each other since we were kids, as our families were very close and involved in the homeschooling community together.

Growing Up Homeschooled - Eliya shares what her homeschooling experience was like, noting that every family approaches it differently. Her family had a more laid-back style, allowing her to be independent and self-motivated from a young age. This flexibility enabled her to start working and saving money early on, coaching sports and pursuing her passion for gymnastics.

Transitioning to College - After graduating high school, Eliya initially felt behind compared to other homeschoolers. However, she found community college to be incredibly helpful in figuring out her path. Eliya advocates for community college as an affordable way to explore interests and get support with the transition to higher education.After two years at community college, Eliya transferred to Azusa Pacific University, where she studied music and psychology. Her college experience was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she persevered and completed her degree.

Homeschooling Advantages - Throughout the conversation, Eliya and I discuss the advantages of being homeschooled, such as the flexibility to work, pursue hobbies, and make our own schedules. We both learned valuable skills like self-discipline, independence, and a strong work ethic from our homeschooling experiences.

Connecting with the Homeschooling Community - A key part of our homeschooling journeys was the support system we had through the ACHEV homeschooling group. We participated in field trips, school dances, and shared resources, which helped create a sense of community.

Eliya's Musical Journey - Eliya is also a talented musician. She shares how her homeschooling experience and the flexibility it provided allowed her to pursue her passion for music from a young age.

Eliya started taking music lessons and getting involved in her local music scene. She found that the independence and work ethic she developed from homeschooling translated well to pursuing music professionally. Eliya notes that putting yourself out there to perform and make connections in the music industry requires dedication, even when you may not feel like it.

You can hear Eliya's original music on her Spotify and Apple Music pages. Her songs blend elements of pop, folk, and soul, showcasing her powerful vocals and songwriting skills. Be sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date on new releases and live performances.

Check out Eliya's Debut Album on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3TI1VLc

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliyafrantzmusic/

And also follow her new band Vinyl Sunsets: https://www.instagram.com/vinylsunsetsmusic/

Tune in to hear more about Eliya's homeschooling story and how it shaped her path to adulthood. Stay tuned for more episodes of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club Podcast, where we explore the unique experiences and perspectives of those who were educated at home.

If you enjoyed this episode as much as I did, please hit that subscribe button, leave a review, or shoot me an email at ⁠ExHSClub@gmail.com⁠. Your support means the world!Thanks for tuning in! I can't wait for you all to hear this heartfelt conversation with Julia.