When my wife and I first started looking at high schools for our daughter, Reagan, we did what most families do—we made a list. We looked at academics, extracurriculars, college preparation. In a community like ours, we’re fortunate to have strong options, from public schools to private institutions. On paper, many of them checked the same boxes.
But as we visited schools, the conversation started to shift. We found ourselves asking different questions: Where will Reagan be known? Where will she be challenged and supported? Where will she grow not just as a student, but as a person? Those questions led us to Holy Family Catholic High School, well before I ever imagined working here.
There was something we felt right away. It wasn’t just the size or the structure of the school. It was the sense of community. Teachers who took the time to know students as individuals. A culture where students were encouraged to step forward, not blend into the background.
Over the past four years, we’ve watched Reagan grow in ways that go far beyond academics. She was challenged in the classroom, but never left on her own. There was always support—teachers, coaches, mentors, and peers—who expected her to do her best and helped her get there. That balance made a difference.
Just as important, she was part of a community that emphasized more than achievement. Faith, service, and character weren’t just ideas; they were part of everyday life. Those experiences helped shape her confidence and her sense of purpose.
Now, as Reagan prepares to graduate in mid-May and head to the University of Mississippi on a full tuition scholarship to study pre-law, I find myself thinking back to the decision we made years ago. We didn’t just choose a school. We chose a place that would help form who Reagan is becoming.
And looking back, it’s clear that made all the difference.
