Giving Students the Tools To Go Far

After returning from a trip to Northern Virginia to celebrate the 91st birthday of my grandfather — who, impressively, seems to be getting even wittier with age — it was a joy to come back to the peace of the mountain. That transition from a hectic, crowded area to the calm of Mentone felt especially meaningful when I was invited to watch Valley Head students participate in a ropes course at Camp DeSoto.

The ropes course was experiential learning at its best.

Nearly 60 students stepped out of their comfort zones, encouraging each other with genuine enthusiasm while facing physical and mental challenges of their own. Even steady rain couldn’t dampen their spirits. It was a powerful display of resilience, teamwork, and bravery — qualities that can’t be taught in a classroom alone. Watching them play, connect, and unplug from screens was a vivid reminder of how important these moments are. It was experiential learning at its best.

MERF envisions opportunities like this becoming consistent and transformative parts of the Valley Head School experience. The goal is to help students recognize their strengths, set ambitious goals, and support one another as they rediscover the joy of hands-on, human-centered learning. These experiences build confidence, compassion, and problem-solving skills — an investment not only in students, but also in the future of our entire community. It’s about showing them the power of their own potential and encouraging them to step boldly into the world and see what it gives back in return.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Higher Ground in Rome, Georgia, for leading the challenge and adventure; Tiger’s Inn for providing delicious meals for students, staff, and teachers; and Sarah Wilcox for her steadfast support in bringing it all together. MERF also extends deep gratitude to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama and the Carter Holland Memorial Fund for believing in and financially supporting this vision. Your belief in our community makes experiences like these possible and powerful.

On the scholarship front, MERF recently completed the nomination process for the Mountain Spirit Awards and selected the recipients of the Carter Holland Memorial Scholarship. We were moved by the outpouring of heartfelt nominations from teachers and the genuine essays submitted by senior candidates. In an age of digital everything, it was refreshing to read handwritten applications — personal reflections filled with raw honesty and hope for the future.

Congratulations to the 2025 Carter Holland Scholarship recipients. These outstanding students include Nathaniel Maier, Makayla Gilbert, Sadie Young, Eli Day, and Lila McElhaney.

Each of these students is hardworking, determined, and full of promise. They reflect the very qualities Carter Holland exemplified: kindness, perseverance, and an unwavering spirit. Reading their stories was a reminder of why this scholarship matters, not just as financial support, but as a recognition of character and potential.

MERF is proud of their hard work and achievements, and we can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in the future. Read more about these students in next month’s issue of The Groundhog.

As someone who once stood bewildered at the gates of college, unsure how to begin but determined to find a way, I relate deeply to these students’ journeys. That experience of pushing through doubt drives me, along with the entire MERF board, to look beyond the scholarship check. We want to build a lasting support system that empowers students not only to dream big but also to navigate the real steps required to achieve those dreams. I am looking forward to giving out these awards, and MERF wishes all students the very best in their future endeavors!

Discover St. Joseph’s New Community Playground

Nestled within the church’s Sacred Garden, St. Joseph’s new Community Playground is a joyful addition where all are invited to bring their little ones to enjoy the slide and swings in a beautiful, natural setting. The playground was made possible through the generosity of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and the vision of Taylor Baugh from Troop 304, who brought it to life as his Eagle Scout project.