EC Student Story: Tara

Tara

Grade 12

I came to EC when I was in 7th grade. The decision to leave the familiarity of my old school was very difficult for me. At my old school, a public school in town, I felt a piece missing in my education. I was a dedicated student who worked hard in school and had friends, but something was missing, something I didn’t understand until I came to EC. When I originally shadowed at ECMS, I absolutely loved the community that surrounded me. I barely knew anyone, but they were all so welcoming. I struggled to make the decision whether or not to leave the familiarity of a school I had gone to my whole life, but I knew I was not happy where I was. I realized how much I loved the community at EC, something I didn’t have in public school. As I talked to my parents after shadowing, my mom, an EC Alumni, asked me if, when I was in EC’s school building, I felt like I was home. At that time, it was hard for me to think of any school as home, but something felt different about EC and the community that surrounded me…  so halfway through the school year, I took a leap of faith, trusting in God’s plan, and arrived for my first day of school halfway through the school year. Overwhelmed is the most fitting word for how I felt that first week of school. As overwhelmed I was with the unfamiliarity of my surroundings, I was also overwhelmed by the way the EC community opened their arms to welcome me in. At the end of my first two weeks, I hopped into my mom’s Jeep, absolutely beaming. I told her that she was right, EC is my home. 5 years later, EC is still my home. 

Two months into my freshman year at ECHS, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer and my junior year, she passed away. During this time, as I struggled with grief and questions, the EC community surrounded me and my family. As I grieved, I was supported by friends, teachers, and the administration in a way that I will always be thankful for.

On a bigger level, over the 5 years I have gone to EC, I have been blessed with life-long relationships and supportive teachers. One of the “holes” in my public school education was this supportive EC community that surrounds students and families. The teachers at EC truly want their students to succeed not just in their academics, but also in their relationship with Jesus. The faculty takes the time to get to know each and every student on a personal level in order to help them succeed. The friendships I have made have helped strengthen my faith in God and have, in part, made me the person I am today. 

As I look back on the past 5 years of my education at EC, I truly realize how blessed I am. It is rare to find such a loving school community like EC, but I am so thankful I did. My mom’s words to me in 7th grade as I considered starting all over at a new school were an echo to me through my 5 years at EC… EC is my home.