Families who Choose Covenant: The Grinnens
Jamen and Tracy Grinnen never thought they’d enroll their boys in private school. After all, they had intentionally moved into the Northern York School District so that their boys could go to school there. But in 2020, it became clear that their family needed a new educational setting. Initially attracted by Covenant’s dedication to in-person education while many schools were shut down, the Grinnens scheduled a Covenant tour just to rule it out. After all, there were other options that were much closer to home.
“As we pulled into Covenant for our tour, it felt different,” remembers Jamen. “After the tour, we got into our van, looked at each other, and declared, ‘this is the place.’”
Jamen and Tracy’s three boys, now in grades 5-10, have been enrolled at Covenant ever since. They participate enthusiastically in the school’s opportunities for athletics and music. “Our children have grown so far beyond the trajectory they were on when they went to public school,” Jamen says.
Commuting from Dillsburg is not always easy, but carpooling has relieved some pressure. Most days, Tracy drops off her boys at the home of another family, who transports them the rest of the way to school. In the afternoon, Tracy returns the favor by bringing their son home from school.
Back in 2020, the Grinnens would never have predicted they would be crossing the river for school, but five years later, they see it as a blessing and an answer to prayer. “The classical education and rigorous study set Covenant apart. While our boys sometimes grumble about how ‘easy’ their peers have it compared to their curriculum, I gladly accept it, knowing the quality of education they are receiving will set them apart in their life,” Jamen reflects. “All sacrifices we have made to go to Covenant are worth it.”
Covenant Student Leads with Courage at City on the Hill
Covenant Senior Caie Buffington elected Senate President Pro Tempore at this summer’s City On The Hill Youth Leadership & Worldview camp.
The speeches were delivered, the votes were counted, and the majority party expected one of their own to secure the gavel. Instead, Covenant Christian Academy’s Caie Buffington, a minority party member, was chosen by his peers to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore at City on the Hill, the camp’s highest honor. His election was a remarkable achievement, and it showcased exactly what the heart of the Pennsylvania Family Institute’s youth leadership program is all about.
Inside the City on the Hill Experience
Caie attended City on the Hill in July of 2025, his second year of enjoying the week-long youth leadership and worldview program run by PA Family Institute. Held each summer at Lancaster Bible College and the Pennsylvania State Capitol, City on the Hill brings together high school students from across the Commonwealth (and the country) to equip them with the tools to engage culture and government through a biblical lens. Throughout the week, students step into the shoes of legislators, learning how to write, debate, and vote on bills while being mentored by experienced leaders and hearing from Christian speakers.
In the midst of this comfort-challenging environment, Caie was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, a key leadership position usually secured by the majority party. It’s the highest-ranking office, significantly influential, and almost always held by someone from the majority party. But Caie, a member of the minority, defied expectations, earning the trust and votes of students across the aisle. This rare and impressive feat highlights his ability to connect with peers, communicate clearly, and earn trust despite competing interests.
Leading with Conviction and Character
“City on the Hill showed me how vital it is to live out a Christian worldview—especially in politics,” Caie said. “It gave me a chance to collaborate with other peers, develop a vision, and step up as a leader. Even when leadership wasn’t easy, I learned to stand firm and trust God with the outcome. I have now attended City on the Hill twice, and I have left it twice with a renewed focus on Christ and a will to uphold the Gospel in the public square.”
Forming Tomorrow’s Leaders
Since its inception in 2001, City on the Hill has equipped over a thousand students to engage culture and government through a biblical worldview. The program challenges teens to think critically about objective truth and Biblical morality, teaching them that real leadership flows from character, not popularity. Students learn that faith and public service are not at odds but intertwined. Many alumni now serve in ministry, law, education, and public policy, and some have even gone on to work in high-profile arenas like NASA and the White House, living out the lessons first learned in the chambers of City on the Hill.
Caie’s achievement reminds us that courage and conviction matter more than popularity. His leadership mirrors what City on the Hill seeks to instill—young men and women who will stand firm for truth, even when the odds are against them.
Lives Transformed
Ray Munson ’27, Sylvie Brubaker ’27, and Caie Buffington ’26 represented Covenant at City on the Hill in 2025.
Each year, students arrive from across the country. Many are nervous about public speaking or unsure about how to defend their beliefs, but they leave changed.
Caie’s story is more than an inspiring camp memory. His story is a glimpse of what faithful leadership looks like in a culture that often rewards compromise. At City on the Hill, students like Caie learn that influence doesn’t come from political power or popularity but from bold conviction rooted in truth. Each new generation that steps into those chambers carries the same challenge: to lead with courage, humility, and faith.
As Caie and so many others have discovered, when young men and women choose to stand firm for what’s right, they not only shape “laws” for a week—they shape their character for a lifetime.
Ava M., another 2025 alumna, shared how the experience shaped her faith and confidence. As Ava put it, “In just five days, City on the Hill has changed my life. I can now confidently articulate my thoughts publicly, and I can defend my faith and the views that align with it in a world where truth is stifled. In just one week, City on the Hill has given me lifelong memories, friends, and the skills that I need to succeed in any career.”
Be a Part of City on the Hill
City on the Hill continues to raise up the next generation of leaders who think critically, speak truthfully, and act courageously. Registration for City on the Hill 2026 opens in January. Parents or students interested in growing as leaders grounded in biblical truth can learn more by visiting the PA Family Institute.
Welcome, Dulci Brubaker!
Dulci Brubaker is joining Covenant’s admin team this year as our new Director of Admissions. We are so excited to have her joining us full time! Please welcome Mrs. Brubaker when you see her!
When did you decide that you would enjoy working within a school community?
For the past th
ree years, I’ve served as the Upper School Director for a local classical Christian homeschool co-op, so in some ways I’ve been working within a school community for a while. But when I realized that I could use my skills to support and promote the school while giving my kids increased opportunities and structure, I knew this would be a wonderful place for us!
What excites you most about joining the staff at Covenant?
I feel really passionate about raising a generation of kids who love learning, love God, and have the capacity to lead. It is very energizing for me to cooperate and share my own efforts with a whole community of likeminded Christian teachers and parents.
What is one of the best books you’ve read in the past year?
A new book for me this year was O, Pioneers! by Willa Cather. This is a powerful, deeply American story whose clear, simple language was hauntingly beautiful. Cather portrayed the Nebraska farmland as its own character and carefully crafted the complex relationship that pioneers had with the tough, yet fertile landscape. Because this farming novel deals so closely with themes of creation and dominion, the scenes in the orchard (parallelling the Fall) and garden (echoing Eden) will remain in my mind for a long time.
Tell us about your family!
I met Jason, my husband of 22 years, at the state spelling bee in Harrisburg in 8th grade. We ended up in the same church for high school and we’ve been together since high school graduation! We have one 16-year-old daughter and three sons, aged 13, 10, and 6. As a family , we enjoy trying and cooking new foods, swimming, hiking, sharing good books, and going to the symphony.
What are some things you enjoy doing outside of work?
My favorite summer occupation is gardening and preserving food. I love to grow heirloom tomatoes, pickle green beans, and can strawberry and cherry jam. But throughout the year, you’ll also find me baking sourdough bread, naan, and English muffins, while listening to audiobooks.
Covenant Christian Academy
1982 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Office Phone: 717-540-9885
Office Fax: 717-540-7176
