Bridgeway Academy’s Rochin Family Snags Double Recruitment at Northern Arizona University

Dec. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- (Lehigh Valley, PA) Bridgeway Academy’s Hailey Rochin will be joining her older sister Tatum at Northern Arizona University in the upcoming 2013 – 2014 season.  The NAU director of tennis Kim Bruno secured a commitment from Hailey, a nationally-ranked blue-chip recruit from Tucson, to help fill a gap from five graduating seniors on the Northern Arizona women's tennis team for the new season.  

According to the Tennis Recruiting Network, Hailey Rochin is a four-star recruit, and has been the No. 1 ranked player in the USTA Southwest Section in the U12, U14 and U16 ranks over her prep career.  The Network described Hailey as “reaching a high national ranking of No. 20, and stacking up well against the best players in the country, having beaten several top-50 players in national tournaments.”

Such accolades would have been quite difficult to achieve in a traditional school system.  Carla Rochin, Hailey and Tatum’s mother, decided early on that homeschooling was the best option for her girls.  It turned out to be an amazing and positive decision.  “At first, I was worried about the education my children would receive, but it fast became apparent that all was well in that respect. Tatum and Hailey completely thrived in the curriculum of Bridgeway Academy – and I could handle it too. Colleges, I soon found out, do NOT have a problem with quality homeschool.”

When asked about any concerns Carla had when making the homeschool decision, she laughingly admitted that yes, she worried a bit.  “But my husband kept telling me that my worst day would be better than their best day in public school. I don't know about that, but I am very glad we decided to homeschool. Yes, it did free us up for tennis, but we fast realized that it freed us up for so much more family time.”  

To date, Tatum Rochin is excelling in her academic work at NAU, while successfully fulfilling her tennis requirements. Carla noted, “The responsibility and commitment that homeschooling required has carried over for Tatum at the university level.  She graduated Pima Jr. College with a 3.85 GPA, she started college at only 16 years of age and completed her 2 year degree. Now, she is pulling a 4.0 her first semester at Northern Arizona this year.”

Now, sister Hailey Rochin gets her turn at NAU, and the anticipation is great.  “I'm so excited to play with my sister because we've been playing tennis together for eight years.  Now I get add to another year to that with my sister, and that's awesome," said Hailey.  

Carla has heard all the negatives about homeschooling from other families, but definitely has her own opinion on the matter.  “It's truly their loss, and by that I mean in family time not quality of education. I get asked a lot “How do they socialize?”  And I always answer, “Well let's see, they go to church, they have youth group and oh yes, they play tennis against girls from all over the world. Yep, I would say they get sufficient socialization."

About Bridgeway Academy

Bridgeway Academy has been a trusted homeschooling Pre-K – 12th grade academy since 1989, meeting the highest state and national accreditation standards possible.  And with a Bridgeway Academy diploma, the doors are open for students to continue their education at all universities. Whether looking for a curriculum founded on Christian principles, or one that focuses solely on academics, Bridgeway’s customized education is one that universities are taking quite seriously.