Finding Confidence, Building Dreams: Phillip’s Path to Leadership and Purpose

When Elizabeth looks back on her son Phillip's educational journey, she often marvels at how far he has come. She remembers him as a little boy starting first grade at Our Lady of Fatima, quiet and unsure of himself. "He was shaky and anxious," she recalls. "But as time went on, he got involved in student council and other organizations, and slowly, he began to open up."

Our Lady of Fatima became a place where Phillip learned to believe in himself. He worked hard, discovered his voice, and grew into a leader. His compassion and kindness shone through, and his teachers recognized his potential. When Our Lady of Fatima named Phillip Student of the Year, Elizabeth could see that her once-shy son was blossoming into someone who could connect with both teachers and classmates on a meaningful level. "He could speak with his teachers with respect, and he also had this gift of making other students feel comfortable and accepted," she says. "That's when I realized he was growing into not just a good student, but a really good young man."

When it came time to choose a high school, Elizabeth knew she wanted Phillip to continue in an environment where he would be supported and challenged in the right ways. She researched schools, spoke with teachers, and leaned on advice from family and friends. Many of Phillip's cousins had attended St. Frederick High School, and their positive experiences reassured her that this was the right choice. "I had a good feeling going into it," she explains. "I knew Phillip would be well taken care of and get the education he was used to getting at Our Lady of Fatima."

But finances made the decision difficult. Without help, St. Frederick High School would not have been possible. Elizabeth admits frankly, "If we hadn't been able to get the Arete scholarship, Phillip would have had to end up going to public school. We just didn't have the financial means." For her, the scholarship wasn't just financial assistance-it was the opportunity to give her son continuity, stability, and a community that would help him keep flourishing.

Phillip started at St. Frederick High School as a freshman, and Elizabeth immediately noticed the smooth transition. The smaller, family-like atmosphere mirrored the care and compassion he had received at Fatima. Teachers knew him by name, encouraged him, and guided him through the adjustment to high school. "Never in my own upbringing did I experience teachers knowing every student by name," Elizabeth reflects. "But at St. Frederick High School, they know exactly who my son is. Even before I say my name on the phone, they know I'm Phillip's mom. That means so much to me as a parent."

The academic jump from middle school to high school wasn't easy at first. Phillip worried over his grades and struggled to find the right study habits. But by his second semester, something clicked. He found his rhythm, learned how to manage the workload, and pulled his grades up. "Now, it's like second nature to him," Elizabeth says proudly. "At this point, school feels like a cake walk. He's confident, he knows how to handle it, and he just keeps moving forward."

Elizabeth treasures their after-school conversations, when she asks Phillip how his day went. "He tells me, 'It was great,' and then he goes into detail about his teachers, the conversations he has with them, the friendships he's building, the pep rallies, and the talent shows. He's involved. He has school spirit. And I think St. Frederick High School has encouraged that in him. They've really drawn that out of him."

Beyond academics, Elizabeth has witnessed remarkable personal growth. Phillip has become more emotionally mature, grounded, and compassionate. "What stands out to me isn't just one achievement or award," she explains. "It's the way we can talk to each other now. He understands that I'm his parent, not his friend, but he still feels comfortable coming to me and opening up. That's rare these days. His emotional and social growth has been astounding. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that this is the same shy little boy from years ago. He has grown leaps and bounds, and I am so proud of him."

Phillip has also discovered his academic passions. He enjoys Spanish, but his real love is science-especially biology. He connects deeply with his biology teachers and talks often about his interest in lab work. Recently, he has been considering his future and weighing options for college and beyond. With a strong military tradition in his family, Phillip is leaning toward serving in the Air Force while pursuing his love of science. "We've talked about how important it is to choose something you'll wake up excited to do each day, not just a job," Elizabeth shares. "He's really listening, thinking carefully, and I know he's going to make a good choice no matter what."

Elizabeth sees both St. Frederick High School and Arete as instrumental in helping Phillip dream big. "The scholarship gives parents and children options," she says. "It opens doors that might otherwise stay closed. It's not that public schools aren't good, but at St. Frederick High School, Phillip is in a place where he is known, loved, and challenged. That makes all the difference."

When asked what she would want to say to the donors who make Arete scholarships possible, Elizabeth becomes thoughtful. "I'd want them to know that without their generosity, students like Phillip wouldn't have these opportunities. Their giving makes it possible for kids to go further and receive a better education. It doesn't just impact academics-it shapes who they become as people."

For Elizabeth, the scholarship represents more than tuition help. It is peace of mind. It is the chance to watch her son grow into himself in an environment where he feels safe and supported. "I don't know what I would do without St. Frederick High School or without Arete," she says. "The scholarship allows Phillip to be in the place where he is becoming the young man he was meant to be. That's a gift I can never put into words."