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Alumni & Parent Profile: Barrow Family
by EaglesSJE
A Gift With Longevity
The continuum of the St. John’s Pre-K-8 experience –a full 10-year span for those starting in Pre-K and graduating after middle school – is one of the reasons Merritt and Alston Barrow chose to enroll their children. It also explains part of the couple’s motivation to regularly donate to the Eagles Fund, as well as helping to lead various fundraising events.
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“Having three young boys close in age, I feel like our job as parents has been easier than normal due to St. John’s warm community and family support. They are thriving at school and at home and doing well socially. I attribute that both to what we’re doing as parents, and also to what the school does,” says Merritt. “The partnership (with the school) is very valuable to me as a mother. I realized we’ll never be at another school for that length of time. “Since St. John’s is such a core influence in their growth through childhood, supporting the school is an easy decision.”
With sons Whit (5th grade) and Ruffin (8th grade) as current Eagles - and McConnell, who graduated from St. John’s in 2019 and is now a high school sophomore – the Barrows have been an active part of the St. John’s family since 2009. In fact, they’re one of many multi-generational Eagle families, with Alston having attended the school himself.
As an alumnus, a big draw to bring their children to his alma mater is St. John’s academic reputation, Alston explains. “Both now and in the past, academics have been very strong and are one of the things St. John’s is known for.” Active parent participation at the school is another fundamental trait the couple values. Merritt took that to heart when she and several St. John’s parents created the Eagle Run in 2013 (now called the Santa Run), one of the school’s most beloved events – remaining one of its primary volunteer-leaders for 5 years.
The couple is pleased with the results of the commitment they share to the school’s success, noting how donations have been used to constantly elevate the student experience.
“We are excited to see Eagles Fund resources being used in a variety of ways. Not only to improve buildings and infrastructure, but also to enhance teacher resources and the students’ physical and mental health programs,” says Alston.
