A Story About Growing Up Fast and Fighting for What You Love

logline, synopsis & writers statement

Logline

When pregnancy disrupts her college plans in 1990, a determined Dartmouth student defies expectations by pursuing her degree while balancing motherhood and life as a military wife.

Synopsis

In 1989, Courtney Cook arrives at Dartmouth College from rural Wyoming, unaware of how much it will expand her horizons beyond her conservative Christian upbringing. She quickly connects with a tight-knit group of friends and falls for Luke, a senior ROTC cadet whose quiet faith and sense of purpose captivate her.

When Courtney becomes unexpectedly pregnant, she faces a crisis that challenges her religious values, academic aspirations, and sense of identity. Defying expectations from all sides, she chooses to keep the baby, marry Luke, and somehow continue her education. As Luke begins his military career with deployments to Somalia and humanitarian missions, Courtney navigates motherhood, academics, and an increasingly complex relationship with her faith.

At Dartmouth, she confronts judgment f…