Spending his entire life in the picturesque community of Wears Valley Ranch has given our graduate, Jack McDonnell a unique perspective of life at Wears Valley Ranch. Jack is the second oldest child of Ranch’s Chief Operating Officer Brian McDonnell and his wife, Saralyn. When the McDonnells moved to Wears Valley to serve at the Ranch in 1998, they were almost newlyweds. The young couple was embarking on an exciting opportunity to be a part of something special the Lord was doing in the Smoky Mountains. Soon, they began to grow their family and enjoy the blessing of children, with Jack being one of the oldest.

As with most high school graduates, there are changes coming that will cause him to miss home. The location of the Ranch is visually stunning. “I’ll definitely miss the location the most,” says Jack about leaving the Ranch. “The views on every side of my house are just lovely and colorful all the time, and it’s where I’ve spent almost my entire life. I’ll miss WVR very much, but the mountains themselves are where I feel most at home.” The McDonnell family live within walking distance of campus which borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Several staff members have had a part in Jack’s life. He gives credit to teacher and former Housedad, Andrew Wood for providing the greatest influence.  “I have grown so much through my discussions with him, and he’s been present for my entire life at the Ranch.” There are many programs offered at the Ranch. “The Finance Program taught me a WHOLE lot about money and basic funding management,” says Jack. “And it’s one of the reasons I chose Union University as my College choice!”

One can’t ignore the current situation our world faces. Our graduate offers this perspective: “Coronavirus is a worldwide pandemic to which we have not yet found a conclusive resolution. It is one of the most drastic events to happen in many years, and it has stolen much from not only seniors like myself, but from our country and literally most of mankind.  I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer and in God’s omniscient control, and while we should rest in that reassurance, we should never fall asleep in it. We need to be actively serving our community, those who need our help. Keep the virus from spreading by producing masks, keep the economy floating by supporting small businesses, and above all besides prayer, stay home if you are sick. I am hopeful that in God’s providence and our efforts, we can conquer Covid-19 as a country and as a planet; once again: rest, but don’t sleep.”

To his classmates at the Ranch, Jack offers this parting advice: “Hang in there when it’s tough. I, as a staff student, haven’t been through it all like y’all have, but everybody has relative lows and highs. Trust in the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

Jack has been accepted to enter as a freshman at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. While there, he is planning on majoring in Political Science or American Politics and minoring in Journalism. However, please pray for him as like many college freshmen, nothing is finalized just yet. “Please pray for a successful college study time, that I would make good friends AND good grades, and that I will have opportunities to have fun along with the studying part of a University,” requests Jack.

Some famous quotes that are meaningful to Jack include:

Quotes:

“Aim for heaven and you will get Earth thrown in. Aim at Earth and you will get neither.”

-CS Lewis

“It simply isn’t a story worth being told if there aren’t any dragons.”

-JRR Tolkien

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

-Hebrews 13:8