The Kulls are new to Ben Lippen this year with a son in the senior class and a daughter in the sophomore class. The Kull family’s story is unique because of their daughter Eliza’s path to Ben Lippen through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Mom Janell recently shared about her family’s journey to Ben Lippen and their experience thus far.
What do you love about Ben Lippen School?
We love the atmosphere of Ben Lippen. From the first day we toured the school with our daughter, it was obvious that Ben Lippen knows its mission and seeks to fulfill it on every level. We had heard many positive things about the school, but after just one visit, we could tell that BL is providing a positive, stable environment where students are challenged to love God, to love each other, to learn well, and to be prepared for the future. We left without a doubt that Eliza wanted to be a part of the Ben Lippen family.
Why did you choose Ben Lippen for your children?
Our daughter, Eliza, had expressed her desire to attend Ben Lippen for some time during her middle-school years of home-schooling. When cancer unexpectedly crossed her path in 2019, we had no idea that Ben Lippen would be a part of the unfolding of her story. After undergoing nine grueling months of inpatient chemotherapy and having major surgery to remove and treat osteosarcoma in her right femur, Eliza had the opportunity to submit her “wish” to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina. She “wished” to go to Ben Lippen for high school. Some months later after completing her 9th-grade year as a home-schooler, the MAW Foundation granted her request and provided a significant portion of her tuition for her sophomore year at BL. Her wish came true when she walked onto campus as an official Falcon in August 2021.
When we confirmed that Eliza would be attending Ben Lippen, we decided to send our second son, Joshua, to complete his high school career as a senior at BL for the 21-22 school year.
In what ways have you seen your children grow in their faith as a result of their experiences at Ben Lippen?
Both of our teenage children who are attending Ben Lippen have engaged about different aspects of their faith with other students and teachers through classroom discussion and assignments. They have had the opportunity to live out their faith in Christ through mission opportunities on Winterim trips and have been challenged to live a wholly committed life by faculty, staff, and coaches.
What is the one word your family would use to describe the Ben Lippen experience?
Fantastic and Fulfilling
What would you tell other parents to encourage them to consider enrolling their children at Ben Lippen School?
We have been pleased on every level since two of our home-schooled children joined the BL family as high-schoolers. They are thriving academically in the hands of caring, conscientious teachers. BL students warmly welcomed them both, and they have gained some fantastic, new friends. The Christian faith we have tried to instill in our children has been upheld and strengthened rather than undermined and weakened. Ben Lippen is a great choice!