A Future Filled with Possibility: How Arete Scholars Is Helping Paris Thrive

For Donna, providing her daughter, Paris, with a quality education that would help her reach her full potential has always been a priority. When Paris began attending Evangel Christian Academy in seventh grade, Donna knew she had found a school where her daughter could grow academically, explore her interests, and build a foundation for her future. But making that opportunity financially possible as a single parent came with challenges.

For the past four years, an Arete scholarship has helped make that dream a reality, allowing Paris to attend a school she loves while easing the financial burden on their family. Today, Paris is thriving in the classroom, stepping into leadership opportunities, and working toward a future in the medical field, all with the support of a school community that encourages her to succeed.

Donna first considered Evangel after the COVID-19 pandemic, when families were preparing to return to in-person learning. As Paris received recognition for her work in fashion and modeling, Donna began looking for an educational environment with smaller class sizes and more individualized attention. The family already knew Evangel had a strong reputation as a Christian school, and after Paris spent a day shadowing, she knew it was the right fit.

“She loved it,” Donna recalls. “It was right up the street from home, the number of kids that go there wasn’t very many, and we knew it was a great school.”

Paris enrolled in seventh grade and has continued at Evangel ever since. Around the same time, Donna learned about Arete Scholars through the school and discovered a scholarship opportunity that would help her daughter remain in an environment where she could flourish.

As a single parent, Donna understands how challenging it can be to balance educational expenses with the other financial responsibilities of raising a child. The Arete scholarship has helped make Paris’s education more affordable, allowing Donna to focus on supporting her daughter's growth and future.

“It helps a lot because it allows her to go and get a better education with not so many students,” Donna says. “It’s easier for the teachers to help the students because the classrooms are not crowded.”

The financial assistance has also given Donna more flexibility to manage other personal and medical expenses. After experiencing an accident that resulted in head trauma, having support with tuition became even more meaningful.

“I prayed I could get this scholarship filled for my daughter,” Donna shares. “It helps so much.”

But the scholarship's impact extends far beyond financial relief. Donna has watched Paris become increasingly focused, organized, and confident throughout her time at Evangel. Now a sophomore, Paris has joined the student council, participated in fine arts, and found opportunities to serve her school community.

Whether helping prepare for school events, setting up for games, or assisting with concessions, Paris is eager to help wherever she is needed. Her teachers have also encouraged her artistic interests, inviting her to participate in fine arts because of her talent for drawing.

Donna says Paris has become more comfortable asking questions, seeking help when she needs it, and taking an active role in her education. She has also developed strong patience and compassion toward others. One teacher even recognized Paris’s ability to work patiently with a classmate who needed additional support and seated the students together.

These moments reflect the kind of growth Donna values most: seeing her daughter become not only a stronger student, but also a young woman who cares about the people around her.

Evangel’s supportive environment has helped Paris build confidence in her abilities while preparing her for the future. Donna appreciates the school's commitment to student success, including extra tutoring, study groups, and preparation for college entrance exams.

“They are very helpful,” Donna says. “I feel like they’re helping by being supportive and making sure that they have the resources they need. They encourage them to stay focused on their education and reach their goals.”

For Paris, those goals are already taking shape. She hopes to become a diagnostic medical sonographer, combining her interest in the medical field with her love of working with babies. Although she is still in high school, Donna is eager to help her explore the profession and hopes to find opportunities for Paris to shadow someone in the field.

Paris also continues to explore her creative side through modeling and photography-related interests, building on experiences she has enjoyed outside the classroom. With encouragement from her teachers and opportunities to discover her strengths, she is learning that she can pursue her passions while staying focused on her long-term goals.

For Donna, watching Paris grow into a confident young woman with a clear vision for her future is one of the greatest rewards of her educational journey. She knows that access to the right school and a supportive community can make a lasting difference in a student's life.

And she knows the Arete scholarship has played an important role in making that possible.

“I would love to say thank you because it’s been helping me every year for the last four years,” Donna says. “Being that I’m a single parent, it has been a big impact on my daughter and me because she gets to get up and go to a school that she loves, and everybody’s like family.”

Donna hopes more families learn about scholarship opportunities like Arete's, especially those who may believe a private school education is beyond their reach. She understands firsthand how much these opportunities can mean to a family and how meaningful it is to have people willing to invest in a child's future.

“We appreciate the help and support that we have been given over the years and even now,” she says.

Through the generosity of Arete's donors, Paris has been able to continue her education at a school where she feels supported, challenged, and encouraged to pursue her dreams. For Donna, that support means more than financial assistance. It means peace of mind, opportunity, and the chance to watch her daughter become the person she hopes to be.

As Paris continues her high school journey, she is building the academic foundation, leadership skills, and confidence she will carry into the next chapter of her life. And with her mother's unwavering support, a school community that believes in her, and the continued generosity of Arete's donors, her future is full of possibility.