[Bloody Sam Roberts]

She is a kid who did better under scrutiny than most kids her age.

I agree with your assessment.

She did as best she could while being nervous and flustered.

I wonder, do parents who home school teach their kids how to perform under extreme pressure? Is that why there have been so many calls here for homeschooling in response to this young lady's flummoxed answer?

[Clintonfatigued]

Young people who get nervous in public settings will hesitate and lose train of thought a few times. But she wasn’t even able to to form coherent sentences. And if you put together the things she did say in a coherent manner, it still doesn't make any sense at all. Also, she is probably a veteran of beauty contests, and is more used to public speaking than most young people.

[AnAmericanMother]

I wonder, do parents who home school teach their kids how to perform under extreme pressure?

Standing up in front of the class to deliver a speech or recite a poem is what we used to do in the 'good old days'. Don't see any reason why that couldn't be adapted for homeschoolers. First recite in front of the family, then your homeschooling activity group, then a church group, and so on. Work up to it gradually!

Toastmasters is a good training ground for grownups. I don't know if they'd let high school age homeschoolers in, but it would be worth asking.