Foreword
by Denny Rydberg, President of Young Life
Some called it the biggest upset in college football history. On October 6, 2007, underdog Stanford University beat top dog USC, 24-23 in front of a televised audience and 85,000 people in the Los Angeles Coliseum. In storybook fashion, the Stanford quarterback completed a touchdown pass in the end zone to tie the game with less than 50 seconds on the clock. And the kick was good! After the game, Stanford’s new coach waved off reporters, saying, “Talk to Tavita. This is his day.” Tavita Pritchard was the sophomore quarterback who had just made history with his first college start.
In an instant, Tavita was the bright eyes at the center of a sports media storm. Without hesitation, the 6’4”, 200-pound Samoan smiled and said, “This is for my dad. He couldn’t be here today because he had to perform a wedding. And all the glory goes to God.”
Tavita’s dad is the man who helped write this book. David and Kelli Pritchard raised the young man who made college history that day and impressed the sports world with his composure, his spirit and his smile. And Tavita is a product of public education.
Public school parents, take heart! Not only is it possible for your kids to survive the public school system in these United States, it’s possible for them to thrive and become fine men and women who make a positive impact on others. And in the process, it’s possible for families of faith to help shape the public school system and infuse it with the winsome fragrance of Jesus Christ.
I’m thrilled that you’ve opened this book. I’ve never seen another like it. This book was created to encourage moms and dads who—by design or by default—have chosen to send their kids to public schools. That includes Marilyn and me. We sent all four of our kids to public schools. It’s not a book about bashing private schools or home schools or the people who support them. It’s not a book about bashing anyone. It’s a book about faith, hope and love and how the light of Jesus Christ can dispel shadows and warm hearts anywhere, even in a public school.
David and Kelli tell real-life stories from 24 years of raising eight children to love and follow Jesus Christ. With a warm and winsome spirit, they share principles that have guided the Pritchard parade through the twists and turns of public education with courage, creativity and joy. Not only have they survived the journey, they have thrived along the way and left the life-giving imprint of Jesus on teachers, classmates and friends.
No one expected Stanford to beat USC on October 6, 2007. Stanford was projected to lose by 41 points. The starting quarterback was injured, and his replacement had only thrown three passes his entire college career. But then Tavita Pritchard surprised the world and helped make history with his team.
These days, not many people expect their kids to thrive in public schools. Many simply hope they will survive. But get ready for an upset. If you read this book and put the principles in practice, you might surprise the world and help make history with your team. In the meantime, you have a great cloud of witnesses cheering for you, and David and Kelli Pritchard are on the front row.
