Blake Peebles,(16)of Raleigh, North Carolina, dropped out of high school last September in order to devote more time to playing Guitar Hero, according to an article in the Raleigh News & Observer.

RE: http://www.newsobserver.com/2766/story/1155589.html

So, the pressure of going to school was too much for this aspiring young gamer... that’s cool, I understand; and frankly have no qualms about alternative schooling and education when you truly excel at something.

I mean where would Michael Phelps be if he had troubled himself with the rigors of obtaining a high school education?

Oh wait... HE DID obtain a high school education and graduated in 2003. Amazing how he could find time while training for; and competing in, the 2000 Summer Olympics. At least after that the 15 year old could take a break and put it on cruise control for the remainder of his high school career. Oh wait... he didn't put it 'on cruise control', he immediately began training to compete in EIGHT events in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Now I am not going to call Blake Peebles a loser for not having a Phelps like dedication to his education as well as his talent, as very few of us have that kind of work ethic and commitment. Nor am I going to blame him for WANTING to drop out of high school to play video games; that is the dream of many 16 year olds. Far be it from me to arbitrarily slap a "Loser" tag on a 16 year old for making what many would consider a poor life decision; as even I made some poor choices growing up.

What I am comfortable doing is labeling his mother, Hunter Peebles as a "Serious Loser" for allowing him to drop out of school. It is a parent's responsibility to help shape their child's life and insure their aspirations are both reasonable and obtainable. I guess what really solidified my decision to post this one was her quote in the Raleigh News & Observer:

"We couldn't take the complaining anymore," says Hunter. "He always told me that he thought school was a waste of time."

I'm sorry, but if every parent followed this line of thought, we'd have a huge percent of unemployed aspiring musicians, actors, video game players, and singer/songwriters wandering around without high school diplomas or hopes of a future. Every child dreams of being like LeBron James, Miley Cyrus, or the Jonas Brothers, but it is a parent's job to responsibly guide their child without destroying their dreams.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that finishing high school would have been detrimental to Blake Peebles 'video game player' career; however, not having a high school diploma COULD be detrimental to the ENTIRE REST OF HIS LIFE if that 'career' doesn't pan out.

Sorry Hunter, but my mind is made up, you win the honor of being our very first "Serious Loser" on our new site... cheers!

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