Samuel’s Graduation

It feels like just yesterday that our family moved to Ethiopia, with our son Samuel starting his journey at Bingham Academy. At 13, he faced numerous challenges—adjusting to a new school, dealing with the pandemic, and navigating a civil war. Yet, Samuel not only survived but thrived, skipping a grade and becoming valedictorian.

His passion for basketball led him to success as part of the school team, culminating in winning both the league tournament in Addis Ababa and the International Christian Schools of Africa (ICSA) tournament. Throughout his time in Ethiopia, Samuel grew to love the culture and community, gaining resilience and adaptability.

Now, as he graduates and heads to Samford University to study Sports Analytics, we reflect on the incredible young man he has become. Samuel’s journey reminds us of the power of perseverance and faith, and we are excited for the future he is creating. Congratulations, Samuel—we are so proud of all you’ve achieved!