Torpedoed By Subway

Homeschoolers Banned from Contest

The sandwich chain Subway is having a contest for kids to see who can submit the best story (in writing) given four storyline premises. The contest is open to everyone, except home-schoolers.

Representatives from the Home School Legal Defense Association are available to discuss this overt act of discrimination on the part of Subway. The name of the contest is "Every Sandwich Tells a Story" and the grand prize is $5,000 worth of athletic equipment for the winning child's school.

The presumption is that the reason for the exclusion is that there would be no school for to which such students could donate the equipment. That rationale is not passing the litmus test for home-schoolers or the HSLDA.

Here is a letter sent by HSLDA President Michael Smith to Subway:

Subway Restaurant Headquarters
325 Bic Drive
Milford, CT 06461-3059

Dear Sir/Madam,

By way of introduction, I am the President of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and we represent 83,000 member families nationwide. This letter is to draw attention to your "Every Sandwich Tells a Story Contest," and the unfortunate fact that home-schoolers are not allowed to participate.

The rules clearly state: "Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States who are currently over the age of 18 and have children who attend elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted."

It is extremely disappointing that Subway would choose to exclude the estimated 2 million home-schooled students.

We understand that the competition is focused on traditional public and private schools because the grand prize of $5,000 of athletic equipment is designed to be used by a traditional school and not an individual family. A potential home-school winner, however, could simply donate the grand prize to a public or private school of their choice or to a home-school sports league.

Home-schooling is a thriving educational option. All the available research shows that home-schoolers are excelling academically and socially. We do not deserve to be overlooked.

We hope that you will reconsider the rules of your competition and choose to amend them to include home-schoolers.

Sincerely,
J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

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