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Private donors reward successful St. Matthew’s scholars
By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
March 1, 2007
When most parents at St. Matthew School pay their child’s tuition for the next school year, others won’t have to part with a penny.
Individuals and couples from across the diocese already paid the full tuition amount as part of the school’s first scholarship program. The new program grants up to two straight-A students per classroom, in kindergarten through fourth grade, a one-year scholarship valued at $3,000.
The donors knew the importance of a Catholic education.
“These people have a real sense of the importance of providing bright children with a great education,” said Gena McGowan, the school’s development director. “Frankly, it’s the only way out of poverty. It gives you options.”
One donor funded a tuition scholarship in memory of a parent who supported mission schools in Third World countries with the family’s money.
Now the family’s money stays locally.
Their donors belong to St. Bernadette and St. Patrick parishes in Scottsdale in addition to Ascension Parish in Fountain Hills.
Teachers nominated outstanding students and aided in the selection process. In addition to good grades, the straight-A students also had to model good citizenship.
Teachers Marisa Kompar and Erica Irwin discovered tough competition in their third- and fourth-grade classes.
“We have some really bright kids,” said Irwin.
The donors met their scholar and the student’s family at an assembly and luncheon in January.
“They took to each other,” McGowan said of the donor-family interaction. One donor was so touched that he offered to pay for the student’s entire elementary school education.
Third-graders Raymond Huslloimaa and Samuel Arreola were both happy to earn their first scholarship. Their teacher said the boys now show more motivation.
Donors will monitor their scholar’s academic progress by reviewing each report card. The students must maintain their perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Principal Matthew Camacho said the St. Matthew scholarship program is “an affirmation that Catholic schools are doing a good job and that we’re teaching the whole child,” body, mind and soul.
St. Matthew’s Scholars
-- Cyerra Taylor, kindergarten;
-- Aquilino Jasso, kindergarten;
-- Mariano Almanzar, first grade;
-- Victoria Gameros, first grade;
-- Mariana Lazalde, second grade;
-- Alyssa Romero, second grade;
-- Raymond Huslloimaa, third grade;
-- Samuel Arreola, third grade;
-- Alexandra Billman, fourth grade.
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