outside the classroom

2023 J-TERM REPORT

This past January marked the 5th year Upper School students at Whitefield Academy experienced learning and service outside the traditional walls of the Upper School. January Term, or J-Term, allows students to immerse themselves in mission-aligned courses of their choosing and engage with faculty and peers in deep exploration. This includes international and domestic travel, missions, local service, internships, and local experiences around the area. J-Term is a great opportunity for students to explore new interests and dive deeper into already established passions. Here’s a quick recap of some of their experiences!

Orlando New York City

Students were able to experience life behind the scenes at Disney by attending two classes with the Disney Education series. On day one, students attended a technology class at EPCOT that focused on how technology is used in the presidents show and the Ratatouille ride. The next day, the group traveled to Hollywood Studios for a physics class. In the class, students learned how Disney uses various materials in roller coasters and how different tracks require different ways of creating motion and finding ways to stop. The last two days of the trip were spent at Kennedy Space Center and Sea World learning about space travel and sea life. Students were able to see how math and science concepts were used in rides.

Twenty-two seniors traveled to New York City for the Christ and Culture trip to examine how believers engage with art and culture. Through museum trips, guest speakers, Broadway shows, and art installations, students considered how, because we are created in the image of God, the things we create reflect Him. The group met with guest speakers from Christie’s Auction House and Redeemer City to City as well as with the band, InfinitySong, who are believers who live in the city. Since the group consisted of seniors only, they were challenged to think through how they might carry what they have learned with them to college and what a passion for the living and active Jesus will look like away from life at Whitefield once they are on their own.

LONDON & PARIS

Dominican Republic

Students experienced the sights and sounds of British theater as they took a tour of the Globe Theater, saw a West End show, and visited Shakespeare’s birthplace. Students took a walking tour of major historic sites in London and learned how to navigate the Tube. They experienced the Eurostar Chunnel crossing and arrived in Paris to the smells and tastes of freshly baked French pastries. They strolled the Champs Elysees, spent time at the Louvre and visited the haunts of artists like Monet and Renoir in the Marais. Students were fully immersed in European culture.

Whitefield Academy sent two teachers and 16 students on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Students partnered with Compassion International to run a 3-day Vacation Bible School for children ages 2-12 in San Pedro de Macoris. Through this trip, Whitefield students were able to share the love of Christ and serve children through Spanish songs, games, arts and crafts, and Bible lessons. Some of the highlights of the mission trip included the joyful spirits of the children as they welcomed us into their facility each day, the flexibility and collaboration of our students as they ran each VBS rotation, and a few Whitefield students getting to reconnect with children in the DR who they served on last year’s J-Term trip. We also had a beach day where seven Whitefield students got on a banana boat! Our morning and evening devotions were an important aspect of our time together as we saw students seeking to grow in their walk with Christ. It was an amazing experience!

by Catherine Hawkins

avannah (Ballew) Whitney (‘13) and Brian Whitney (‘11) were born and raised in the Atlanta area and are both Whitefield alumni. Although heading in two different directions after graduation (Savannah enrolled at Samford University while Brian went to the University of Alabama), they later reunited and were married in 2019.

Savannah and Brian always knew they wanted children and began praying that when the time was right, the Lord would provide. Savannah and Brian were overjoyed when they finally became pregnant with a baby girl, Marley Grace Whitney. Friends and family spent the next nine months praying, showering the couple and their unborn child with gifts, and generally preparing them and their home for the arrival of baby Marley. Time seemed to fly by for them as Savannah continued with her weekly check ups to be sure all progressed well with her and baby girl. Then at her 36-week appointment, her doctor discovered what appeared to be an aneurysm in Marley’s brain.

Due to this alarming finding, Savannah and Brian immediately met with a pediatric neurosurgeon to discuss a plan. The pediatric neurosurgeon explained that this aneurysm was a rare condition called “Vein of Galen Malformation” (VOGM). VOGM is a type of rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain where misshapen arteries connect directly with the veins, instead of connecting with capillaries, which slows blood flow, causing a rush of high pressure blood into the veins. The surge of blood flow to the brain can quickly lead to heart failure, so they also met with a pediatric cardiologist to look at Marley’s heart in utero. The cardiologist discovered that Marley’s heart was enlarged, though thankfully still functioning properly at that time.

The doctors decided the safest plan was to continue to closely monitor and schedule a C-section delivery a few weeks later, with hopes of a surgery to fix the aneurysm a few months after birth. It soon became apparent God had different plans. Two days after receiving the diagnosis, and a whirlwind of appointments, Savannah’s blood pressure rose dangerously high and a C-section was scheduled for the following morning. Sweet Marley entered the world on September 2, 2021 with a head of thick hair and weighing 4lbs and 12oz.

After delivery, Marley was quickly transferred to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta while Savannah was stuck recovering and separated from Brian and Marley for four days. It was a terrifying initial few days as it was quickly discovered that Marley’s “BNP” levels were rising. BNP levels go up when the heart cannot pump the way it should. Although her heart seemed to be functioning properly, test results are often an indicator of possible heart failure. Babies born with VOGM historically have a 66 percent chance to go into rapid heart failure, so such a result certainly caused concern. Brian immediately began researching options, realizing that Marley’s conditions might require her to undergo surgery, or even multiple surgeries, much sooner than expected. He had to find the best doctor for his baby and discovered Dr. Orbach, a surgeon in Boston, MA, who specializes in this rare condition. Finding such a qualified and understanding doctor was an answer to many prayers.

In the NICU, Marley’s condition seemed to change daily, sometimes seeming to improve, and then just as suddenly worsen. Through it all, the Whitneys remained steady and trusted God to see them through this trial. After a few weeks, the Atlanta NICU doctor expressed concern and decided to transfer Marley to Boston Children’s Hospital to be evaluated and closely examined by Dr. Orbach and his team. Marley was air flighted to Boston while Savannah and Brian rushed to meet her there.

After a week in Boston, Dr. Orbach was very pleased with Marley’s progress. After much anticipation, Savannah and Brian finally got to bring Marley home for the first time at one-month-old. The plan was to return to Boston Children’s Hospital a few months later for Marley’s first surgery. They enjoyed much needed time at home, meeting family members and adjusting to their new normal as they kept a close eye on Marley. After a month at home though, complications arose and an MRI revealed the need for surgery a few days later.

Marley had two brain surgeries in Boston over the next three weeks. It was a terrifying time, with moments they didn’t know if Marley would make it. Brian and Savannah say they don’t believe they would have made it through without all the prayer warriors from the Whitefield community. By God’s grace, they were able to leave Boston just in time for Marley to enjoy her first Christmas season at home.

Several months went by, and Marley seemed to be happy, healthy, and growing normally. Unfortunately, in February, it was discovered that her brain was swelling. It was then determined that she needed another surgery immediately, so the family had to pack up and head to Boston again. The latest surgery was the most risky and lasted almost 10 hours. The first 24 hours post-op were very scary, and the doctors were extremely concerned about complications. Everyone was praying for the next MRI, and that the results would bring good news that they could head home with little to no lasting issues. These prayers were answered and Marley was able to go home.

After months of uncertainty and heartache, Savannah shared “sometimes it is easy to get discouraged about the mountains ahead of us - the unknown of the future and the development milestones - but when I look back and see all that Marley has overcome and God’s faithfulness, it reminds me not to be fearful or overwhelmed. When Brian and I look back at the details, and at how Marley has been such an incredible light, and how grateful we are for her life, we know that God is good. I would have never chosen this journey and I grieve my plans for normalcy, but through it all we have truly seen the goodness of God. We are exhausted and weary, but your prayers have carried us through this past year, and we could not be more grateful.”

Even though this is always going to be part of their story, the Whitney family is overjoyed to share that Marley just celebrated her first birthday. She is crawling, doing great in therapy, enjoying walks, pulling up on furniture, clapping, playing with friends, enjoying her favorite pesto pasta, and even saying “Mama” and “Dada.” Marley has the most contagious laugh and smile. To know her is to love her. God has big plans for Marley Whitney. The Whitney family hopes that Marley’s story will continue to inspire others in the future, as it has already inspired so many thus far.

“The Whitefield community, as usual, has been nothing short of amazing through the past year. From prayer to constant check-ins, the village of Whitefield has been there every step of the way.”

The entire Whitney family remains thankful for the longterm community they gained here at Whitefield and how God has been right there with them through it all.