Whitney-Hunt Pinkerton Scholarship Fund

"The dates on a tombstone note the beginning and the end, but what matters most of all is the dash between those years. What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spent our dash." (Linda Ellis) Whitney's life ended earlier than anyone could have imagined, but she spent her dash well. She is not the person you should strive to be, but the qualities that made her who she was reflects how you should be loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself.

No one had to tell you this about Whitney because her smile could lift up anyone in her path. That genuine ray of sunshine was because of her relationship with Christ. She had a gift to make the person she was with feel important and valued. Everyone was the same to her a person that Jesus loved enough to die for.

Whitney made the choice daily to be happy and caring. Her life wasn't easy, but through the good and hard times, she chose to seek Jesus. This was evident because she wore out two Bibles by reading every day and going to the Bible to search for answers. God doesn't guarantee a life without struggles or heartache, but he gave you a promise that makes it worth it and that is everlasting life with Him.Whitney saw the value of Christian education and its contribution to her life. She stated in her high school valedictorian speech: "Christian education doesn't guarantee that you will make all the right choices, but it does guarantee that you will know what the right choices are." Whitney went on to UK and WKU to become a mechanical engineer. She loved her work. She prayed a lot and worked hard.

As Whitney's mom, I pray that you will value this season of your life, soak up all the Scripture you can, and make that commitment to God and what he has for you. Spend your dash well.