Family Spotlight: The Andones

Galilee was just a little girl — bright-eyed, spirited, full of personality — when she began losing her hair. 

Alopecia. 

A big word for a kindergartener to carry. The kind of thing that could easily make a child want to shrink back. Hide. Worry about being different.

But instead of teasing comments and stares, Galilee was met with hugs, encouraging T-shirts, and an entire soccer team with shaved heads.

That compassionate response transformed her and her family’s understanding of what it means to belong in The First Academy community.

The message was clear: You’re not alone. We see you. We love you.

Today, every member of the Andone family — Galilee, her older brother Roman, and their parents, Becca and Josh — plays a vital role in the life of the school. Becca leads as president of the Parent Association, while Josh coaches the boys’ soccer team.

“People at TFA have prayed for me in my hardest times,” Becca said. “I feel like we can ask anything of them. They are not just a community for my kids. They are a family for all of us.”

“We were young parents when we toured,” Becca said. “We were newly married. Roman was our first child. We didn’t know exactly what to look for, but we knew what it felt like when we walked in — warmth, kindness, excellence. Smiling faces. A sense of peace.”

“We were young parents when we toured,” Becca said. “We were newly married. Roman was our first child. We didn’t know exactly what to look for, but we knew what it felt like when we walked in — warmth, kindness, excellence. Smiling faces. A sense of peace.”

Josh agreed.

“We chose TFA, not knowing how amazing it would be. Looking back? It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”

Eight years later, Roman is in middle school and Galilee is in third grade. Both are thriving and learning to live out The First Academy’s Five Aspirations for Students:

• A Devoted Christ Follower
• A Committed Servant Leader
• A Respectful Relationship Builder
• A Consistently Honest Communicator
• A Relentlessly Hard Worker

The Andones’ greatest hope for their children is that they know and love Jesus, and at TFA, that hope is being nurtured — along with excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts.

“Galilee gave her life to Christ here,” Becca said. “She was baptized. Our kids are surrounded by people who point them to the Lord every day. That’s something we never take for granted.”

Roman, too, is growing in knowledge and faith through a challenging curriculum, meaningful friendships, and teachers who model Christ-like character. At TFA, Roman is used to praying before soccer games, and he brought that tradition to his club soccer team as well. He leads the team in prayer and shares his Christ-centered soccer apparel with his teammates, who now regularly wear it, too.

That kind of servant leadership matters to Roman and to all of the Andones.

“I identify most with the Committed Servant Leaders aspiration,” said Josh, adding that he and Becca give their time and energy to the places and people who matter most. “We try to serve others as much as we can. It definitely comes back as well. These are the same people who showed up for us in our times of need.”

The Andones are living out the aspirations by giving generously, leading humbly, and finding joy in being part of something bigger than themselves. And at TFA, they’re part of a community that shares those values and multiplies their impact.