ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT

Since 1995, the Mission of American Heritage Girls has been to build women of integrity. While the AHG Program targets those in girlhood, the sincerity and faith-filled spirit that is nurtured and grown through AHG continues as girls develop and mature into women.

When a young woman grows through the AHG Program for 11 years, the world can expect the fruit of that investment to be sweet and nourishing to those around her. From time after time reciting the AHG Creed to countless hours spent serving those in need through compassion, mercy, and ingrained love, Jackie McCutcheon seeks to live out AHG’s Mission as a Godly woman of integrity.

Raised in Georgia, Jackie called Troop GA0827 in Suwanee, GA home from Pathfinder all the way through Patriot Levels. Raised in a loving Catholic family, Jackie’s mother, Linda, was part of the courageous individuals who started her Troop through the Catholic Church of St. Monica. The McCutcheon family, in partnership with their church and AHG Troop, sought to sacrificially live out Christ’s mission to love others. Jackie’s upbringing seamlessly wove daily life and discipleship together, so she understood how important it was to live out her faith at all times.

McCutcheon warmly remembers the Cooking Badge and Camping Badge experiences—both traditional AHG girl favorites! What were her most lasting Troop-life take-aways?

“I learned a lot about fire safety and wilderness survival skills, how to be a good leader, and the words of the AHG Creed specifically gave me a list of characteristics that I work to embody each day.” Jackie made lasting friendships through AHG and seeks to be the kind of friend others would want on their side.

In addition to the stellar outdoor skills and camping opportunities that come through AHG involvement, Jackie also especially loved the motherdaughter tea events giving her sister, her mother, and Jackie a chance to develop cherished memories. Putting on their Sunday best was always fun for the girls too! Troop motherdaughter tea gatherings also foster fun and giggles in sister relationships as well. Jackie’s sister is two years younger, so even now they love thinking back on those cherished times together in their AHG Troop life. Jackie’s relationship with her mother is strong, so she is grateful that her Troop invested time and resources into events to strengthen those connections.

Troop volunteers are a beautiful vehicle for impacting AHG girls through their selfless hearts pouring out love, examples of good leadership, and caring guidance. “I had wonderful leaders, and each impacted me in their own way,”

Jackie recalls. “I learned that a great leader is first a great follower who listens to others, is kind and respectful, and is a team player always.” Those same leaders also gave her many opportunities to serve those in need through various community engagement projects. One such project centered around an Atlanta-based organization called Restoration House, a facility that supports women and children who are in need of a home, food, and loving community. This overnight service project had Jackie serving meals, facilitating an ice cream party, and caring for the kid residents. This practical way of showing others Christ’s love still resonates with Jackie today—she even has a heart to go back and serve with Restoration House as an adult! Jackie feels the wealth of service she did through her AHG Troop sealed into her heart a humble understanding of what it means to love others as Jesus did, because she is made in the image of God the same as those she served.

With the McCutcheons as a committed AHG family, Jackie felt confident to embark upon the Stars & Stripes Award process—a journey that would push her to new heights as a young woman but also brought a trusted mentor into her life. Each Stars & Stripes Award Candidate is assigned a mentor to lead her through the process, to guide her project, and to keep her on track. Jackie’s mentor, Joyce, is “the leader who definitely had the deepest impact on my life. She always pushed me to be my best, but in a gentle and loving way. She was a constant source of support for me during that time. I always felt like she had my back. She wanted me to grow […] and she was going to help me in whatever way I needed.” Jackie now describes Joyce as “an intelligent, knowledgeable woman who is incredibly hard-working.”

Upon finishing her last year in AHG, Jackie launched into the world armed with grace-filled tools like mercy, a heart for service, and a place in the Catholic National Evangelization Teams (NET) Ministry group. She initially committed to nine months of serving on a retreat team but loved her experience so much that she doubled her time with NET Ministries, serving on a discipleship team in the latter half. Jackie recently finished her time with NET and remembers gratefully the lives of young girls she invested in during those 18 months. She feels that AHG prepared her well for work in Catholic missions because she came away with leadership skills, communication skills, prioritizing and teamwork skills—but most importantly, Jackie was fully ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus on a daily basis. With her own identity firmly rooted in Christ, Jackie was eager to see the Holy Spirit actively working through NET teams. Whether it be leading a younger girl through Bible study, or handling a small group retreat discussion, Jackie knows the Lord used her mightily to impact His Kingdom. Even now, AHG Creed words like “Compassionate” and “Helpful” still pour from Jackie’s life!

Today, you can find Jackie’s smiling face serving customers at her local Chick-fil-A before embarking on yet another Godled journey—studying Psychology this fall in college and continuing her missions work as a volunteer. In a world fraught with concern for our nation’s next generation of adults, Jackie McCutcheon walks a life consistent with both the AHG Mission and Christ’s heart. God weaves His children into the fabric of the world to love and serve, so if you’re paying attention, you’ll see them selflessly living to reflect God’s glory. This is the bountiful harvest of 11 years well-spent in the AHG Program.

AHG Alumnae often report back on how much the AHG Program has benefitted their lives. These young women are making a remarkable difference in the world around them. AHG is looking to connect with its alumnae and create some exciting opportunities for them to reconnect with old friends and learn how they can share their leadership abilities!

ARE YOU AN AHG ALUMNA? Visit americanheritagegirls.org/alumnae to update your contact information and share what you’ve been up to!