Faulkner Lifestyle May 2019 Issue

Let the ”Sonshine“ In
“...We thank each
of you for sharing
your children with us.
They are all treasures,
and we consider it
a privilege to be a
part of their lives.
”
—Elsie Rose & Scott
BY JENNIFER STANLEY
PHOTOS BY BRANDY STRAIN-DAYER
AND SUBMITTED PHOTO
”If Scott and Elsie Rose had only one
dime, and you needed ten cents,
they would give it to you. They are
the kindest people,“ says Esther Mitchell,
a long-time employee and friend of the
Sonshine Academy owners.
Scott and Elsie Rose Wright have been
married for 36 years. Their children
include Erik, who is married to Jessie;
they are parents to Landon and Nova.
Their son Zach is married to Ashley,
and they have two children, Hallie and
Emery. Daughter Rosemary Suggs is
married to Nick, and daughter Sarah Jo
Freeland is married to Wesley; they will
soon welcome son, Owen. They are
also “grafted into the family of Michael
Sawyer,” says Elsie Rose.
They moved to Conway from Houston,
Texas. The relocation was a memorable
experience. “We moved in January
1988, during a terrible snow storm, for
Scott to work as a coach. It was very
difficult for me to leave Texas, because
that is where my family lives. However,
after much prayer and seeking God’s
direction, we felt we were absolutely
being called to move to Arkansas. It
should come as no surprise that God
had our best interests in mind. Conway
is an incredible place to build a business,
raise a family, and be part of a
community. We are so thankful for the
amazing place we live,” says Elsie Rose.
Opening Sonshine Academy was a
logical move for the Wrights. “We both
grew up playing sports, and over the
years, we had been personally impacted
and influenced in such a powerful way
by our own coaches. As a result, we
knew we wanted to live out our gifts
and calling by investing in area youth.
Sonshine Academy began with a dream
and a promise in 1991. The dream
was to have a place where children
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