TJ

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@JoshuaLeeWarner @88Cardhouse @LynnOono @HwangDynastyTCG @Snow79121094 @RanCharles58055 @ObluckiJames86 @ciaran_tcg @Jctfordd Yes!!! How did we not think of this yesterday? Need to coordinate for next cup/challenge

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@ciaran_tcg @LifeWithLaughs @FrankWithLaughs @DestineFantasy 🥰 a great reminder to all of us to not give up

[TJ @MewTJ04]

Ethan finished top 8 in Louisville. Thank you Bay Area Pokemoms for support and well wishes. Huge thanks to @ciaran_tcg, @LifeWithLaughs and @FrankWithLaughs for amazing coaching! Thanks to @DestineFantasy for supporting him!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

It was a great come back from a rough start

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@LifeWithLaughs @ciaran_tcg @FrankWithLaughs @DestineFantasy 😘😘😘😘

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@MommaFitzy Completely agree, we started school on July 29th. Thankfully this worlds was local and we only missed Thursday/Friday. But next year will be challenging. We are looking at at least a full week of missed school.

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@KianNakano Amazing!! Take it all the way to the top!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@Sockhosk @88Cardhouse @SticksPTCG Congrats Wyatt!! Baltimore is calling your name

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@RichardYannow Hope everyone on the bubble gets in!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@LynnOono Lynn, I am so sorry this happened to Annabelle and your family had to witness it. Know that she is admired and loved by many. We are privileged to know her and Ethan can’t wait to play against her in seniors (even if it means likely losing to her).

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@AdamChoisTCG Congrats!!! Amazing run!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@RichardYannow This is really cool! Any chance you can make one for seniors?
Also, good luck at NAIC! Would love for you to make worlds!!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@RichardYannow @DestineFantasy Good luck tomorrow!!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@PiplupHenry Great work! Have fun at graduation, it’s a once in a lifetime thing, there will be plenty of ICs in your future. Knowing you, you’ll probably win one soon 😀

[TJ @MewTJ04]

Ethan Finished 65th at LA Regional. Played a super fun deck and had a great time with friends.
Special thanks to @ciaran_tcg for great coaching, as always. And @DestineFantasy for support!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@JoshuaLeeWarner @SVCardArt @CardShopSC @88Cardhouse @DuelSpecTCG Great work Beckett!!

[TJ @MewTJ04]

Ethan won his first cup in the new format. Thank you @ciaran_tcg for awesome coaching, as always!
And thank you @DestineFantasy for your support.

[Chris Chen @chennney]

I want to clearly state that Ethan is not going around randomly touching people, patting them on the back or head duck-duck-goose style. I'm not looking for vindication or to prove my son's innocence. Here are some considerations for public transparency:

- He had previously played against them at other regionals
- He thought this was a friend or acquaintance and had conversations with them at subsequent regionals
- He sat next to this person and said good luck to them during phase 1 at Orlando in an amicable fashion
- Wanted to say good luck to them for their win-and-in round

Ethan was never told or given any indication that this person was not a friend, uncomfortable, or did not want any interaction with them. At least not to his knowledge. This situation could have possibly been addressed through a kid-to-kid or parent-to-parent interaction, e.g. "I'm not comfortable talking to you or interacting with you", or "I do not consider you a friend" or "Please stay away from my child".

We had no such warning or conversation between families or even mediation from the judges.

My view as a parent is that this outcome has created a massive ripple in the community and for families. This could have happened to any one of the kids we know. We're all having conversations now about who you can trust and who you can or should be friends with. This is creating unintended emotional distress and paranoia about what can or will be considered acceptable or safe interactions.

This situation completely erodes the perception of psychological safety, family friendliness, approachability and trust throughout the community. This has severe implications on the weaponization for the standards of conduct vs the spirit of the game and positive intent. Why should I risk and broaden my child's exposure to new people and friendships that could backfire on him?

One of the most beautiful things that Pokemon had was that you could meet players from all around the world, discover your love of Pokemon together, compete and establish new friendships. Maybe you'd get to see each other at the next regional or IC or worlds and celebrate each other's accomplishments. It's delightful to see the kids cheering each other on, roaming the halls and eating ice cream together and playing video games and tag or trading plushies.

Many people know that I am a strong proponent for the merits of Pokemon and the growth framework that it provides for the kids. It puts them in the driver's seat for their own self-improvement, develops resilience and pushes them to become determined to reach their goals. This could have been a private learning opportunity between families but has escalated to the general community.

Ethan has already come to terms with the situation. He accepts full responsibility for touching someone who didn't want to be touched. He accepts that if his actions created anxiety or hurt someone, then his disqualification is appropriate. He understands that this ruling will help to inform the broader community about consent and boundaries, and ideally creates a safer space for all families and participants.

I am proud of my son for his character, his integrity, his kindness, and his maturity and willingness to learn from this situation. I hope you all got a chance to witness this in his interview with Pokemon this past weekend.

[TJ @MewTJ04]

@MilesAranovich Congratulations! Well done!