Knightly News

“God puts you in places where he wants you to be.” Kirsten Vaughn ’99

When speaking with alumna Kirsten Vaughn, her tremendous faith is immediately apparent. She is confident and comfortable in her relationship with God in a way that makes others want to achieve that same conviction. Holding tight to that faith and being open to possibilities helped Kirsten discover a life better than she could have ever imagined.

Kirsten grew up in a household where faith was a part of family life. The family attended church together and prayed together regularly. At Episcopal, she discovered a place that nurtured that faith and helped it grow. “My faith really came alive,” says Kirsten, who was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as a Knight. She remembers participating in a prayer group and the honest and open mentorship she received from teacher Johanna Leonard, who she remains in touch with today.  That early involvement with FCA proved to be a defining experience for Kirsten. “It’s where I connected with the Lord, and it was a great foundation going into college,” she recalls.

After being named the Episcopal Webster Cup recipient, the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year and Homecoming Queen, Kirsten enrolled at the University of Georgia as a marketing major. She earned a spot as a walk-on with the Bulldogs softball team. As exciting as the opportunity to play college softball was, Kirsten was elated about what that meant off the field. “I get to go to FCA!” she remembers saying after hearing the news. The Georgia FCA was only open to athletes, so making the team meant returning to a community that meant so much to her. Like at Episcopal, she discovered her community among her fellow Christian athletes, including her husband of 17 years, Benjamin Watson.

Kirsten and Benjamin’s love story includes what Kirsten says was “constant change” as they moved numerous times due to Benjamin’s successful 16-year career in the NFL. Kirsten says while she wasn’t choosing where to go based on her preferences, she knew God was putting her where she needed to be. She worked for nonprofits, volunteered and found ways to help others. She had her first child, relocated quickly afterward and then went on to have three children in three years. Now Kirsten and Benjamin are the proud parents of seven children ranging from a teenage daughter to potty-training twins.

In addition to her role as a mom, Kirsten finds opportunities to share encouragement with others. She and Benjamin host the popular podcast, “Why or Why Not with the Watsons,” she’s the Executive Editor of MomLife Today and she recently published a book titled, “Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap).”  Kirsten uses the platforms to share her faith and offer support to others. While at Episcopal, she never imagined that she would write a book. Now that she has, she’s encouraged by the response.

“Sis, take a breath” is advice Kirsten offers others and herself often. She imparts that wisdom in a conversational way in the book, similar to how she might chat with Bible study partners. Kirsten seeks to encourage other mothers and remind them that even as they feel overwhelmed with life’s obligations, taking a moment to breathe makes a huge difference. “There’s power in breath,” says the former athlete. “You’ll still have the list, but take a breath. It may change your approach.”

Like most, Kirsten’s story has had its ups and downs. It was challenging to raise children away from her family and support system. As her husband switched squads, there were numerous relocations, and life in the NFL can be demanding for athletes and families.  In those moments of difficulty, Kirsten turns to her faith. “Oftentimes, God says no,” she says. In fact, she says she’s experienced “a season of no’s or not yet,” but she perseveres. “I used to kick and scream a lot, but I trust more because I’ve seen His faithfulness.”

Integrated spiritual formation is a pillar of the Episcopal experience. Each week students in all divisions are welcomed to worship services in the Lewis Memorial Chapel of the Good Shepherd, but that focus on spiritual growth goes beyond the Chapel. The chaplains and religious teachers share messages of love and hope with students in the classroom. Students then apply that to real-life experiences through service-learning projects that serve others in the greater community. (Read a previous blog post about how Episcopal educators integrate spirituality in academic settings here.)

Graduates like Kirsten showcase what it means to live a life of purpose as mentioned in the school’s mission. She has found meaningful ways to share that faithfulness and encourage others. She has built on the foundation established by her family and the Episcopal community. She is a terrific representative of what it means to be a Knight, and we wish her well as she continues to follow God’s plan for her life.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.