My name is Ryker Lacy, and I’m from Nampa, Idaho. I’m the youngest of three children in a family that has always deeply valued education, not just for the sake of academics, but for the kind of person it shapes you to become.

 My dad is a teacher, and my mom is a former educator. We’re not wealthy. We’re a typical Idaho middle-class family. But what sets my parents apart is their willingness to sacrifice for what they believe in, especially when it comes to their kids.

From the beginning, they were committed to giving my siblings and me an education that reflected our family’s values and helped us flourish. They knew that our local public schools weren’t the right environment for me, not because they were bad, but because they weren’t the right fit. So, they homeschooled me through second grade.

But when my mom had to return to full-time work, homeschooling was no longer an option. My parents faced a tough choice: public school wasn’t the right fit for me, and private education meant financial strain. My dad, who had once been blessed with a private Christian education himself, knew what that kind of learning environment could offer. My mom, who didn’t have that same choice growing up, knew exactly what was at stake.

So, they made it work.

I was able to enroll in Nampa Christian School for third grade, and I stayed all the way through high school graduation in 2024. My dad teaches there, which made the option financially possible for our family, but it still required sacrifices. For a middle-income household, even discounted tuition means stretching every dollar. But my parents believed the investment was worth it.

And they were right.

At Nampa Christian, I found a place where I could thrive academically, creatively and spiritually. I’ve played piano for 12 years. I sing. I play multiple instruments. I was a chapel worship leader and choir president. My school didn’t just allow me to pursue my passion for music; it made the pursuit possible. The programs, the leadership opportunities, and the mentorship from teachers all helped shape who I am today.

Would I have found that same support somewhere else? Honestly, no.

It was thanks to my teachers’ investment in me that I was able to develop into the confident, goal-driven musician I am today and obtain a music scholarship to attend my dream college. I would not have had the invaluable musical education and leadership opportunities that stretched and shaped me. Thanks to my education, I graduated as valedictorian and am now pursuing a degree in Commercial Music Production and Songwriting.

But here’s the truth: none of this would have happened without school choice and without parents who were empowered to make the best decision for their child. Not every family has that opportunity, and that’s not right.

It shouldn’t take a financial stretch or a teaching job at a private school to give your kid the kind of education that helps them thrive. Every family, regardless of zip code or income level, should have the ability to choose what works best for their children.

Now, with Idaho’s new tax credit scholarship program, that vision is finally within reach. Families across our state deserve to know about these options because school choice doesn’t just change lives. It creates futures.

Ryker Lacy was a homeschool student and is an alumnus of Nampa Christian School.