A Foundation for Success: How Opportunity Helped Yahgen Thrive

When Kieyana looks at her son Yahgen today, she sees a confident, thriving young student who is eager to learn, excels in the classroom, and believes in his ability to succeed. But she also remembers the shy little boy who once struggled to step outside of his comfort zone.

Thanks to the support of Arete Scholars and generous donors, Yahgen has been able to continue attending Arete Preparatory School, where he has blossomed academically, socially, and personally.

"He's doing so good," Kieyana says proudly. "He's one of the top students in his class. I'm just so proud of him."

For Kieyana, the scholarship has provided much more than financial assistance. It has given her family peace of mind and the confidence that Yahgen can continue receiving the education that has helped shape him into the student he is today.

Before discovering Arete Preparatory School, Kieyana didn't even know the school existed.

"I drive past it all the time," she laughs. "Then I started doing my research, and it came up. I was like, 'Where did this school come from?'"

After learning more about the school, she decided to enroll Yahgen. Like many parents sending a child to school for the first time, she had mixed emotions. Yahgen had spent most of his time at home with his mother, making the transition into a classroom setting challenging at first.

"When he started, it was a little difficult," Kieyana recalls. "He was crying and acting up because he was so used to being at home with me."

But the school community immediately stepped in to help. "The school understood," she says. "They worked with him through everything." That patience and support made all the difference.

Over time, Yahgen began to settle into his new environment. The shy little boy who once struggled with separation anxiety slowly emerged as a confident student who enjoys learning and takes pride in his accomplishments.

"He definitely came out of his comfort zone," Kieyana says.

Today, that growth is evident not only in his confidence but also in his academic performance. According to his mother, Yahgen works incredibly hard and consistently strives to do his best.

"When it's time for his spelling words, he studies very hard," she says. "He's been making A's on every spelling test and sentence assignment since kindergarten."

Watching his progress has been both exciting and rewarding.

As a parent, Kieyana recognizes the impact that a strong educational environment can have on a child's development. The individualized attention Yahgen receives at Arete Preparatory has allowed him to flourish in ways she never imagined.

The smaller class sizes, supportive teachers, and challenging curriculum have all contributed to his success.

"The school community supports Yahgen's growth by working with him one-on-one, providing a strong curriculum that challenges and strengthens his academic skills, and assisting him in areas where he needs additional support," Kieyana explains.

One thing that stood out to her from the very beginning was how deeply invested the staff members are in their students.

"I was especially impressed that the staff knows each student by name," she says. "That showed me they truly take the time to get to know and connect with their students."

For Kieyana, those relationships are just as valuable as the academic instruction. It reassures her to know that her son is learning in an environment where teachers, administrators, and staff members genuinely care about his success.

While Yahgen's educational journey has been filled with growth and achievement, Kieyana acknowledges that affording private school tuition would have been a significant challenge without assistance.

Before receiving the scholarship, there were times when the financial burden of tuition created uncertainty.

"If you're not able to afford it one week, sometimes it can be challenging," she explains. "You worry about whether your child will be able to continue attending."

Receiving an Arete Scholars scholarship changed that reality.

"With this scholarship, there's no worries," Kieyana says. "I can at least pay the remaining amount instead of the entire amount."

For her family, that relief extends far beyond finances.

Kieyana lives with several chronic health conditions that make it difficult to work a full-time job. The scholarship has provided stability during a season of life that could otherwise feel overwhelming.

"With the help of the donors to Arete Scholars, my family and I have peace of mind knowing that Yahgen can continue attending the school through eighth grade without the added stress of financial hardship," she says.

That peace of mind has allowed her to focus on what matters most: supporting her children and celebrating their successes.

In fact, Yahgen's positive experience inspired Kieyana to enroll her younger daughter at the school as well. She recently applied for a scholarship on her daughter's behalf and hopes both children will continue benefiting from the opportunities available at Arete Preparatory.

Looking toward the future, Kieyana has high hopes for her son. She wants him to understand that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to and that his future is full of possibilities.

"I definitely want him to know that he can succeed," she says. "I want him to make his own decisions about the path he wants to take."

As she reflects on her family's journey, gratitude remains at the center of her story.

To the donors who make Arete Scholars scholarships possible, Kieyana wants them to know that their generosity is changing lives.

"I definitely want to say that I'm grateful," she says. "Without their help and consistency, I wouldn't be able to afford even part of it for my child to go. If it were the whole thing, it would have been a challenge."

Because of donor support, Yahgen has the opportunity to continue growing in a school where he is known, encouraged, and challenged to reach his full potential.

And for Kieyana, that opportunity means everything.

"We are truly grateful and appreciative of the generosity of the donors," she said.

Their support is helping provide more than an education. It is creating stability, opening doors, and giving one young student the foundation he needs to pursue a future filled with possibilities.