For those of you who don’t know our family created a non profit Personal Pep Rally because of son-in-laws, Marc Stringer, battle with cancer. Last night was our first scholarship banquet for 2026. I wanted to share what I shared about our mission and about our scholarship recipients.
One thing Stringer was adamant about was giving scholarships to high school seniors who had been impacted by cancer. As an educator and battling cancer, he couldn’t imagine children having to go through any part of the journey. As of 2026, Personal Pep Rally has awarded 82 scholarships to high school seniors in Arkansas with a total $44,000.
I love it when I have a connection to students who have received the Endurance Scholarship.
One young lady, Desiree Harrison, I didn’t know nor did I think I had a connection until I opened her Facebook, and she was doing a worship dance in the sanctuary of the church that my mom and dad were both baptized in during the 1920s, that I was baptized in, that I was raised in, and that I was married in. God has a way of connecting the threads, doesn’t he?
Personal Pep Rally was adopted by DECA last year, so I got to attend several DECA programs. I got to speak at the state-wide DECA conference, and a young lady from Stuttgart introduced herself to me and helped me throughout the conference. Kaylee Scheiderer was the best helper.
Our motto scripture for the Personal Pep Rally is Hebrews 12:2: “We run this race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” It was meant that the runner of the class, Lane Saul, received an Endurance scholarship. I remember when his mom started running after school when Lane was in preschool. She has battled her cancer race this year with perseverance. (Lane was actually at the state track meet and had to miss the scholarship banquet.)
When Dagan Duncan was at Park Avenue Elementary, Jon Aaron Jackson visited his classroom and discussed finance. Jon Aaron told the class that whoever answered the math question correctly would get a roll of quarters. Dagan got the quarters, and when he got to his grandma’s car that afternoon, his grandma asked him what he wanted to do with the quarters. Dagan said donate it to ENDURE THE DIRT. Lesson learned: when you give with a grateful heart, God will take care of you. He loves a cheerful giver.
This last scholarship was really tough for me. I usually try not to get emotional, but I just couldn’t help it. Mary Catherine Stephen’s mom was in my bible study for years. She was the epitome of ENDURANCE. She reminded me so much of Stringer. They never gave up, no matter the circumstance. They would find joy even though their days were numbered. James 1:2-3 instructs believers to consider trials joy because they test faith, which produces endurance. Mary Catherine is just as beautiful on the inside and out as her mom, April, was.
Congratulations to the SHS class of 2026. The class received over $126,000 in local scholarships and over $1.3 million in other scholarships. Just amazing. Stuttgart has some smart kids.
Thank you to all who donate to our mission work. You bring joy to families who have been given a diagnosis not of their choosing.
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