Education Extra
Congratulations to Tatum Osborne from Vestavia Hills High School, the recipient of the Annual Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) Scholarship! Osborne receives a $2,000 scholarship to the college or university of her choice. Read her inspiring words on how her Christian faith impacted her decision to go to college.
“I was raised in a home that prioritized service. Our family motto is, “Osbornes leave it better than we found it,” and we mean that both literally and relationally. I was taught from a young age the impact that serving others has on both myself and the person I am serving. My passion for service has driven me to make the decision to spend my next four years at Samford University because going to college, to me, is not simply about walking across the stage and receiving my degree, but the most in depth preparation for service I could find.
I have been told time and again how life-changing the next four years of my life will be. I will meet people from all over the country who will inevitably become my lifelong friends. I will be presented with opportunities to lead others and explore what I am truly passionate about. I will also have the opportunity to serve.
I watch as my older sisters’ friends serve in their new churches, nonprofits around the community, and camps for children over the summers. I watch them grow into people who are confident in their dreams, to people who are confident in their actions. The example I will take from, of course, is the Lord. The only One who has the capacity to serve with the utmost patience, love, and humility is the One who is Patience, Love, and Humility. Therefore, as I see my sisters’ friends serving and as I see Jesus serving, I will follow the call to service by attending a university that will prepare me for service.
In a country where the goal is to take God out of the schools, I will strive to bring the light, love, and patience of Him into my school building every day. I will create a classroom environment where every child feels safe and seen. Taking on the communicable attributes of Jesus, I will ensure that none of my students feels pushed to the side or overlooked. Attending a Christian university will provide me with the foundation and confidence to live out my faith boldly, regardless of the conditions around me. Furthermore, empowering my ability to someday serve my students will give me the opportunity to teach my students how to serve others as well.”
Here are some additional inspiring words from the 2026 Finalists on how their Christian faith impacted their decision making throughout their high school careers. Runner-Ups Haley McAdams and Madisyn McIntosh each receive a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice.
Runner-Up Haley McAdams, from Hayden High School, says, “My Christian faith is the foundation of my decision to go to college. I was born prematurely at 30 weeks, measuring the size of a 24-week baby. Doctors diagnosed me with sensory neural hearing loss and told my parents I might never walk, run, talk, or even cry. In those fragile first days of my life, my parents had to pray a prayer no parent should ever have to pray — that God’s will be done, whether that meant keeping me here on earth or welcoming me into heaven. God chose to let me stay. I believe with my whole heart that the Lord spared my life for a purpose. Every milestone I have reached has been a testimony of His faithfulness. When doctors said I would not walk, I learned to run. Today, I am a cross country runner. When they questioned if I would speak, I found my voice. My life is proof that God’s plans are greater than any medical report. My parents’ unwavering faith shaped me. They trusted the Lord before they saw the miracle. They taught me that obstacles are not dead ends — they are opportunities for God to show His power. Watching their strength and love has inspired me to live boldly and gratefully. Going to college is not just about earning a degree; it is about stepping into the calling God has placed on my life. I want to use the abilities He gave me to make an impact, especially for others who feel limited by diagnoses or circumstances. I know what it feels like to have the odds stacked against you, and I want to be living proof that limitations do not define you — God does.”
Runner-Up Madisyn McIntosh, from Minor High School, shares, “My Christian faith has been a constant foundation in my life, shaping the way I view myself, my future, and the decisions I make—especially my decision to attend college. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who attended college, and higher education was often viewed as the expected next step. My two older twin sisters are in college right now, and it is my goal to join them. My church family as well has always been a supportive system of me and my sisters. While that environment encouraged me, it was my faith in God that guided my personal decision to pursue college with purpose and intention. Through my faith, I have learned that my life has meaning beyond expectations and that the talents I have been given are blessings meant to be developed and used to serve others. Through prayer and reflection, I came to understand that college was not just something I was expected to do, but something I felt called to pursue. I thank God for blessing me with opportunities, strength, and guidance, and for bringing me this far in my journey. My faith has strengthened me during moments of pressure and uncertainty. Balancing academics, leadership roles, work, and extracurricular activities has not always been easy, but relying on God has taught me perseverance and trust. In challenging moments, my faith reminds me that growth often comes through difficulty and that I am never navigating these experiences alone. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I take this with me wherever I go.”
Top Five Finalist Kyra Glass, from Springville High School, says, “My Christian faith has never been just something I claim. It has been the quiet strength guiding me through some of the most defining moments of my life. I grew up watching my mom pray at the kitchen table late at night, her Bible open beside a stack of unpaid bills. I did not always understand the weight she carried, but I understood the faith it took for her to whisper, “God will make a way,” when there was no clear solution in sight. Those moments taught me that faith is not about having easy circumstances. It is about trusting God when the outcome is uncertain.”
Top Five Finalist Alexis Lancaster, from Cahaba Academy, shares, “My Christian faith shapes how I see both my future and my purpose in pursuing higher education. I grew up in church, spending many Sundays sitting “criss cross applesauce” on the floor with young children, reading Bible stories and helping teach basic truths about God’s love. These moments planted and nurtured something in me. I discovered that I loved working with children, helping them learn and grow. I continued volunteering with preschool and elementary-aged children at church as I got older, and began to notice how much I enjoyed connecting with each child’s unique personality and needs. During my junior year of high school, I began to think about how I could find a career that uses my ability and love of working with children.”
Visit www.birminghamchristian.com/scholarship to read each finalist’s full essay. Thank you to the nearly 200 applicants who applied for the scholarship. The 2026 Scholarship recipients received special recognition at the Birmingham Baron’s Faith and Family Night on April 24, 2026 at Regions Field.
Thank you to our sponsors: Alabama Credit Union, ALFA Farmers, American Village, The Center, and Vulcan Termite and Pest Control.
