Beyond practical support, grandparents offer a unique emotional stability that can nurture a deep sense of belonging and personal identity. Their presence in the lives of their grandchildren contributes in large and small ways to the Christian character of the generation that follows them. Willow Hefflefinger, a freshman at StoneBridge, offered her tribute to her grandparents, who have raised her since she was a baby. The following is her speech delivered at Grandparents and Special Friends Day. October 17, 2024.
I am the granddaughter of June and Ron Brewbaker, who I call my Nana and Pop. I have lived with my Nana and Pop since I was three months old, being raised in a Christian home and attending church as a family. My Nana and Pop have also supported me in my spiritual life by taking me to youth group and helping me attend church camp every summer.
When I was about 3 years old, my grandparents bought me an antique wooden school desk. I sat at the desk thinking I was in school doing workbooks for fun. Every night my Pop read books to me, especially the Golden Books he had read to my mom. My mom’s first teacher at StoneBridge was the very special, Mrs. Beale. One day my Nana walked over to the school playground to visit Mrs. Beale and I was introduced to StoneBridge.
WATCH THE FULL GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY 2024 PROGRAM HERE.
The school year was approaching and it was suggested that I test for Kindergarten although I was only four years old. When I had finished the test and my Nana interviewed with Mrs. Wells, she said I had the verbal skills of a seven year old, and most of you know I haven’t stopped talking since.

Once enrolled in StoneBridge, I loved to ride my scooter to school some days. My pop walked me over and carried my scooter back home each morning. As I walked through the halls of StoneBridge as a little girl, I was proud to point out the many wooden lockers my Pop had built over the years. My Nana was my room mother for many years and assisted in many special days and events. They attended all of my chorus and band concerts, competitions, and theatre productions.
In the fifth grade, I came home one night and told my Nana–who is not a baker–that I needed to make a cake shaped like the world by the next morning. She stepped up after working all day and helped bake cakes in two metal bowls to create the cake in the shape of a globe. When I came home in the seventh grade and said I wanted to participate in the school spelling bee, my Nana stepped in and we began a routine of studying words daily at home and during car ride routine to volleyball practices and games. The help my Nana gave me pushed me toward successfully winning the school spelling bee.
My birth father is deaf and played soccer for the deaf Olympic soccer team. My birth mother was a competitive ice dancer, and although I touched on both of these sports, I fell in love with the sport of volleyball. For four years my Nana and Pop have attended every game and supported me on and off the court.
During my years in Lower School, we were asked to write a special note to our parents on back-to-school night. I wrote a note each year to my Nana and Pop and always included a thank you for them making it possible for me to attend StoneBridge. As I’ve gotten older, I continue to thank them but truly understand the sacrifice they make each day for me to attend here.
In closing, I would like to say to all the grandparents: encourage, support, and invest in your grandchildren, both at home and at StoneBridge.