Wisdom Wednesday: Jenny Sarchet

    “Mom, we got the emails – we’re both Terry Scholars!”  I had stepped out of my classroom to answer a phone call from my boys.  I knew they were expecting a life-changing email.  With those words, I burst into tears.  There was so much that this scholarship meant.  
     Chandler and Parker could accomplish their dreams.  Since the boys were tiny, they have had a great love of learning.  They have always been voracious readers – soaking up as much information as they could get their hands on.  They have always thrived on academic competitions and pursuits.  They couldn’t wait to attend college and be in an environment where others loved learning as much as they do. 
     College is expensive; college for two is really expensive.  As a teacher and a printer, God has blessed us.  Our family has never gone hungry, and we have always had a home.  Paying for college, however, was not a reality.  With this scholarship, the boys could attend Texas Tech University.
     What we didn’t know was that the Terry Foundation Scholarship was so much more than just the financial means to attend college.  The heart of the Terry family is something we had not expected.  From “Momma Medley” to Mr. Parker at the interview process, each person we have come into contact with has blessed us. 
      The Terry Scholars themselves are an amazing group as well.  They each have such diverse talents and gifts.  We will be forever grateful for the support and memories our boys are making with this incredible group of young people.    
     Chandler dreams of serving a rural community as a family doctor.  Parker dreams of working as an actuary.  With the generosity of the Terry Foundation and the support of the Terry family, they are both on their way to accomplishing their dreams.  

From their first year at college, I learned a few lessons along the way I would like to share with other Terry parents.


Lessons Learned
(from a first time college mom)

1. Let go.  (This is first on my list because it was the hardest for me.)  Letting your little birds out from under your wings is hard!  Your students are smart and capable young adults.  College is a growing up time.  Rejoice in the fact they don’t call every day or seem to need you.  This means you have raised smart, independent students. 
2. Listen.  College is stressful.  Sometimes your student needs to have a loving ear.
3. Learn.  When your student makes a mistake, love them through it.  Mistakes are how we learn.
4. Love.  Love and appreciate every opportunity and experience your student is afforded.  Love when they stay up all night studying.   Love that they learn to appreciate home-cooking.  Love that they want to do all their laundry because they are so grownup now.  Love that their favorite hangout is the study lounge.  Love every phone call home.  Love hearing stories of going to The Waffle House (in Amarillo) in the middle of the night.  (Why, because Lubbock doesn’t have one of course!)   Love that their classes are challenging them and helping them grow.  Love that they volunteer in the community.  Love that they are involved in their respective colleges.  Love that they are surrounded by their Terry family.  Love it all! 

 
As Terry parents, we are twice blessed.  Not only do we get to experience the joy of watching our babies leave the nest and fly, we do it knowing they will not have the burden on college debt.  



​Jenny Sarchet

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