Celebrating the Scotts

The Scotts have always inspired me to courageously pursue the Father’s heart.

BY: JeaN McConaughy, Perimeter School Reading Specialist, along with other members of our covenant Community

I have known Bobby and Valerie since the mid 1980s. Bobby and I met in a teacher meeting in the cafeteria of a Christian school in Virginia where I had been hired by Steve Bennett’s father (small world!). Bobby was being introduced as the new principal, and his eyes were full of tears. Bobby and Valerie’s oldest child, Justin, was stuck in the hospital with significant jaundice.

I was immediately touched that we had a leader with a heart, and as time went on, I saw that his heart was always transforming, always learning, always growing, and definitely marching off the map! 

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"People follow passionate leaders, and i think that is why so many people have followed bobby and valerie for so many years." - perimeter school parent

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Bobby has always been a student, a life-long learner, ready to discover and delight in creative thought and to learn what God taught about education, about children, about our roles as educators, and about our understanding of God’s Word in every single part of our lives. Every time Bobby shares something, I learn something new. He always inspires my heart to think outside the box, to worship, to keep on journeying.

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“Valerie initiated my passion for drama, which was something that fostered a lot of friendships for me throughout my many years of school. she Encouraged my creativity whether it was on stage or in my writing.” - Perimeter School Alum

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Bobby has also maintained a child-like wonder. In the early days of Perimeter School, our students accumulated minutes of reading with the goal of putting Bobby on the roof of our building. We climbed trees and acted out Shakespeare in the woods. He, with the help of Valerie, dressed as a pirate for his birthday, taking on a scavenger hunt to find his treasure chest full of candy! 

Another favorite birthday memory was when everyone in the school dressed in their favorite storybook character to surprise him. Any opportunity to dress up turns on the light in Bobby’s eyes. It’s not a surprise that he and Valerie are now doing online puppet shows for their new grandson!

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"bobby and valerie put so much effort into to Making Perimeter School an environment where we could flourish and grow in our knowledge and relationship with christ." - Perimeter school alum

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Bobby has believed in me and given me opportunities to try all kinds of positions in my years here at Perimeter School that I could never have imagined: I have taught every grade, managed the school curriculum one year and Enrichment Days another, worked in the office, started the first grade at our first satellite school, been a judge for the long jump event, and I even lasted a couple years as an administrator. 

Who else would have risked giving me those opportunities of adventure? He and Valerie have stood by me through some incredibly challenging experiences in my life, as well as in the lives of our school family. I’ve always rested in knowing that the Scotts carry me and all of us to the Father in prayer and great trust.

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“bobby has been steadfast in his support for our children, steadfast in his support for our school, and steadfast in his support for our family.” - Perimeter School Alumni Parent

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So, the song from “The Sound of Music” comes to mind … “These are a few of my favorite things.” The Scotts have never just talked the talk. They’ve always walked the walk and inspired me to courageously pursue the Father’s heart. They will always be a few of my favorite people!

Generations of families have been transformed because of the intentional and generous investment of Bobby and Valerie Scott’s 34 years at Perimeter School. It was an honor to recognize them during Perimeter Church’s worship services this past weekend. As we continue to celebrate the Scotts, we encourage you to reach out and share with Bobby and Valerie the ways that their service and leadership have impacted you. You may also donate to the Bobby and Valerie Scott Scholarship Fund. This fund will allow even more students to experience the blessing of Perimeter School and the legacy left by the Scotts.