Family Sacrifice and Education: A Legacy Passed Down

Whitney and her family live in Monroe, Georgia. They embody the spirit of sacrifice to pursue quality education for their children: Sadie, who is in sixth grade; Lawson, who is in third grade; and little Berkley, who is in K4. Victory Baptist School in Lawrenceville is not just an educational institution for them; it's a close-knit community that aligns deeply with their beliefs and family values.

Their educational journey began when Whitney and her husband, a local pastor, considered homeschooling but found Victory Baptist a better fit. 

"Victory is like family," Whitney shares. "We're small, but that makes us close.” 

As the office manager at Victory, she oversees admissions, greets families, and ensures the day-to-day running of the school—a role she loves, especially because it allows her to be close to her children. Her mother also teaches K4 at Victory Baptist. This year, she has little Berkley in her class, adding another layer of familial warmth to the school.

"Sadie is my oldest, and this year she started middle school," she says. "She loves the small class sizes and feels close to her friends and teachers." 

According to Whitney, Victory's teachers are incredibly engaged, going above and beyond for their students. She recalls one particularly impactful teacher, Mrs. McAvoy, who taught Sadie in first grade. 

"Sadie entered first grade at Victory and was very behind in reading since I had homeschooled her for K-5, but Mrs. McAvoy didn't give up on her," she says. "She sent me some extra literature, books, and lesson plans for us to use at home. She also worked with Sadie one-on-one, and by the end of the year, she was making all A's, especially in reading." 

Whitney and her family value this dedication most at Victory Baptist, a place where each child is seen and supported.

Whitney's children have been blessed with scholarships from Arete Scholars to support their education journey. With Whitney working only part-time at the school and her husband serving in ministry, the Arete scholarship has been a godsend. Whitney reflects on the moment they learned of the scholarship, "It was a huge relief. We'd always hoped for private school, knowing it aligned with our faith and values, but financially, it seemed out of reach. Arete made it possible, and every year, we're so grateful when we get the renewal notice. It's a true answer to prayer."

Whitney's childhood experiences shaped her perspective on the value of a good education. Growing up in a single-parent household, Whitney's mother, who raised five children alone, worked tirelessly to provide her children with a private education. 

"My mom was a teacher and also the janitor at our school," she shares. "After hours, my siblings and I would pitch in, cleaning classrooms, bathrooms—whatever was needed. It was hard work, and I can't say that I always loved scrubbing toilets, but looking back, I see that it taught us that if you want something, you have to work for it."

Whitney now imparts that legacy of sacrifice to her children, helping them understand the value of education and hard work. 

"We've seen firsthand the importance of discipline," she continues. "In our family, discipline isn't just about following rules; it's a way to teach them respect, responsibility, and faith.”

Her husband, who previously worked in youth ministry, has observed how young people without structure struggle to succeed. Together, they raise their children with clear expectations and guidelines. 

"We tell our kids, if you don't do what you're supposed to, there will be consequences—just like in life," she says. "We want them to grow up respecting rules and understanding that actions have impacts."

The small, nurturing environment at Victory allows for this kind of teaching. Whitney notes, "There's a real benefit to having strict, structured teachers. My daughter loves her math teacher, who's known for being strict. The kids appreciate her because they know she cares enough to push them to do their best. They'll encounter rules in college, in jobs, and we want them to be ready."

Whitney has a heartfelt message for supporters of Arete Scholars: "I wish I could tell them all individually how thankful I am. The fruits of their generosity are not going to waste. We are seeing the outcome of their generosity, and we just couldn't be more thankful.”

Victory Baptist, with its caring community, strong academics, and values-centered environment, is helping Sadie, Lawson, and Berkley reach their greatest, God-given potential. With Arete's scholarship support, Whitney and her husband can continue to provide their children the opportunity to thrive academically and spiritually. It's a blessing they don't take for granted, one that Whitney's family, shaped by sacrifice and hard work, deeply values and cherishes. 

Seeing Sadie, Lawson, and Berkeley grow at Victory, thanks to Arete's support, brings Whitney and her husband so much joy and peace, knowing that this education will empower them in ways they always dreamed of.