Rachael’s Journey of Service: A Mother’s Commitment to Her Son’s Future

Rachael’s life is characterized by selfless sacrifice for the common good. That’s why she chooses to serve her country as a member of the Army National Guard. This life of service also allows her to pursue the future she’s always wanted for herself and her only son, Jaxson.

By joining the Army National Guard, Rachael, a single mother living in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is pursuing her purpose and setting herself up for a successful future. As a generator mechanic, she is developing job skills and leadership experience that will ultimately afford her a head start on a civilian career in electrical engineering. 

For Jaxson, she is ensuring he has a head start in life by enrolling him at Hamilton Christian School, an Arete partner school in Lake Charles. Hamilton exists to educate the minds and hearts of students, equipping them for both a physical and spiritual life full of purpose. The school boasts an environment where faith is central to pursuing excellence in all areas of life, academics, and extracurriculars.

Rachael is grateful for Hamilton's educational environment, saying, “I like what Hamilton stands for. When I was growing up, I also attended a Christian school, and I wanted Jaxson to have that opportunity.”

Jaxson is in 1st grade at Hamilton Christian School. As a single mom, Rachael wanted a school that would support him academically and offer a moral and spiritual framework aligned with how she seeks to raise her son. She felt that Hamilton was the answer but was concerned about how she could afford the annual tuition. That's when Hamilton's principal stepped in and recommended she look into a scholarship program facilitated by Arete Scholars. So she did, and she hasn't looked back since. 

“Hamilton teaches and supports the same morals and values that I was taught,” Rachael shares, “and I really wanted that for Jaxson. It can be hard to strike the right balance as a single mom, so having a school as part of our support system is essential for his development and growth.”

Rachael recognizes that in just his first two years attending Hamilton, Jaxson has benefitted immensely from the smaller class sizes and personalized, individual attention he’s received from his teachers.

“They have the time to be more personalized with their students compared to other schools in our area,” she says. “Private school classrooms tend to be much smaller, and I feel educational-wise, Jaxson gets more personal engagement and growth because of that.”

“And he has done amazingly well,” she adds. “He blows me away because he's so smart.”

In this environment and culture of academic excellence, Jaxson is thriving. Hamilton’s teachers and staff utilize research-based strategies and individualized progress monitoring to help prepare their students to meet the instructional challenges they face. The school impresses high academic expectations, relevant real-world learning, and a focus on critical thinking to ensure its students are prepared not only for college but also for the career that follows.

While Jaxson still has many years before contemplating college and a career, Rachael’s heart and mind are at peace. She knows he is gaining the foundational knowledge and character development that will pay dividends when those considerations become relevant. For now, she takes joy in seeing him be a happy, playful, and creative boy.

“He loves everything about attending Hamilton,” she says. “He likes going to chapel every Thursday because he gets to sing and dance with his classmates. He also enjoys his Spanish class, and he's teaching me how to speak Spanish now.”

“He's been on the honor roll since last year, and so he feels extremely accomplished,” she adds. 

Jaxson’s teachers continue to pour into him, helping him grow in confidence and extending love to him and Rachael. 

“Last year, I was activated and out of state when he graduated from kindergarten,” Rachael recalls. “At Hamilton, the parents give their students a rose when they graduate, but I couldn’t attend his graduation to give him that rose. I asked his teacher, ‘Could you please do that honor and give him that rose?’ My parents were there, and they filmed it and sent me the pictures. Jaxson truly felt loved, and seeing them care for him that way meant so much to me, too.” 

Rachael is grateful to Arete and the countless supporters who have contributed to Jaxson’s success at Hamilton Christian School.

“You don’t know how your support affects the people receiving it,” she states. “I'm almost lost for words because Arete’s support means so much to me. I couldn't give my son the education he needs without Arete’s help.”

“I hope everyone who supports Arete understands there are so many people out there who appreciate that support because their generosity gives me more time to spend with my son,” she adds.

Arete is an ancient Greek term that signifies “excellence in action; a life well lived, virtuous and courageous.” As Rachael reflects on the concept of a well-lived life along with the hopes, dreams, and prayers she holds for Jaxson, a quote comes to mind: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“Demonstrating and living that out through your life, whether in school, a job, or the military, is a way to be successful,” she states. “It gives people a reason to remember you positively, but it starts with your foundation in early education and all the opportunities that follow. I try to instill this in my life and teach it to Jaxson.”

Just as serving in the Army National Guard is helping to accelerate Rachael’s path, the educational foundation that Arete Scholars provides to Jaxson offers him the same: academic formation and personal growth opportunities that empower him to reach his highest potential. 

While Rachael continues serving her country and community, she remains focused on raising Jaxson to live a virtuous and courageous life. To achieve this, she ensures he receives every opportunity to grow and thrive as a young man. Thanks to Arete Scholars, those doors to opportunity open wide to him.