The Manzano Family
Las Vegas, NV

In May 2024, Julia Manzano graduated as valedictorian from Mountain View Christian School, marking the end of her high school years and signaling the start of her journey into adulthood and future endeavors. Today, she is continuing her education at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a goal to pursue a career in the medical field. However, looking back, she acknowledges that her journey may have looked much different if scholarships from the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA) had not given her and her younger siblings the educational opportunities they desperately needed.

Julia is the oldest daughter of Alicia Manzano and Cesar Manzano-Vasquez, with younger siblings Estela, Cesar and Avner completing their family of six. For Alicia, who immigrated from Mexico 22 years ago, ensuring her children are equipped with the skills they need to lead successful futures has always been a top priority. However, as Julia progressed through elementary school and reached the 6th grade, it became clear that the public schools in their area were not meeting her needs.

“I felt lost at school, both academically and socially,” recalls Julia. “I struggled to keep up in my classes and it was hard to make friends in that environment.”

Worried that Julia would fall further behind, Alicia searched for alternatives in their area – including private school – but soon realized that affording tuition would be next to impossible for the single-income family. As if timing was on their side, Alicia stumbled across a flyer about the availability of AAA Scholarships in Nevada and filled out an application, hoping that Julia and her other children would be given access to attend a school that could better meet their needs. Hope turned into joy when the family’s application was approved, enabling Julia and her younger siblings to attend Mountain View Christian School (MVCS), a school that has helped each of the Manzano children on their individual educational journeys.

For Julia, everything changed once she made the transition from her old school to MVCS. “With teachers who supported me and a community that encouraged me, I was able to excel in my studies,” she says.

No longer feeling lost in school, Julia’s confidence grew as she made her way through middle and high school, making academic strides and becoming involved in the school’s athletic programs and student council. Her hard work paid off as she was named valedictorian of her senior class. Since graduating from MVCS last year, Julia has continued that momentum as she works towards her college degree and eyes a career in the medical field.

Estela, the second oldest of the Manzano children, has enjoyed her own success at MVCS. “Before receiving the scholarship, I was struggling in school, especially with math,” recalls Estela. “But the teachers at Mountain View were so patient and helped talk me through the things I was struggling with and it finally started to click.” Now finishing up her 10th grade year, Estela has developed a love for English and dreams of becoming an author one day. She also participates in the school’s sports programs, including volleyball, softball and basketball, is a member of the student council, and has even earned an award from the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS).

For the two youngest siblings, Cesar (7th) and Avner (1st), Mountain View has allowed them to get a head start on their education.

“Although Cesar only attended the public school in kindergarten, the experience was not pleasant, mainly because we were concerned for his safety after a couple of incidents that happened in school,” explains Alicia. “In addition to providing a high level of education, Mountain View has given us peace of mind knowing that our children are in a safe environment.”

As Alicia celebrates the progress her children have made at MVCS, she realizes how different the outcome could have been without the help from the scholarship program. “AAA Scholarships have given my children so many opportunities,” she says. “The chance to overcome struggles and graduate. The chance to learn in a safe environment. The chance to dream about their future and take steps to accomplish their goals. To the donors that continue to make these kinds of opportunities accessible for so many families like mine, please know how grateful we are!”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation
AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances, and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

The Biehl Family
Tucson, AZ

It’s a Monday morning in Tucson, Ariz., when Dana Biehl and her husband Terrence carve out some time to share their family’s experience with the AAA Scholarship Foundation. For the couple, who are parents to seven children ranging in age from 5 months to 16 years old, time is a valuable resource, one they are often short on. However, hearing their 3-year-old Gemma chat excitedly, eager to say hello to the person on the phone, it is clear that one resource this family is not short on is love.

Born and raised in Ukraine, Dana first came to the United States in 2007 through a college work program, landing a summer job at a park in Wisconsin. It was the following summer when she returned to the U.S. – this time in Wyoming – that she met Terrence. The two eventually married and started a family, establishing a life in Tucson, where Terrence works for the U.S. Postal Service while Dana is a dedicated stay-at-home parent.

When their oldest son, Sam, was preparing to start school, the Biehls researched educational options in their area. Aside from being plagued with low performance ratings, the public schools in their district did not have the type of environment they felt would help spur their son’s growth. They considered other options as well – including charter and private schools. When they visited St. Joseph Catholic School, they knew they had found the one; the culture, strong academic program and family-like environment were exactly what they were looking for. However, as a one-income family, affording the tuition would be challenging, if not impossible.

“We knew this school was the right fit for our family, we just needed some extra assistance that would make it a possibility for us,” explains Terrance. “Thankfully, the school staff told us about AAA Scholarships and we applied, hopeful that it would be the answer we needed.”
“Receiving the acceptance letter from AAA was a huge relief,” adds Dana. “Sending your child off to school for the first time is sometimes scary. But knowing we were sending him to an environment that felt like an extension of our home, made things so much easier.”

Since that time, in addition to Sam, three more of the Biehl children have received AAA Scholarships – Chloe, Timothy and William.

Sam, who attended St. Joseph until he graduated from 8th grade, is currently finishing up his 10th grade year at St. Augustine Catholic High School. Over the years, he has developed a strong educational foundation – including a love for math. Thanks to the school’s tutors, he has been able to overcome any difficulties he faces. He has participated in several extracurricular activities, including track and field in 7th and 8th grade, as well as golf, tennis and theater in high school. He also dedicates his spare time to serving the community through youth group activities and even works as a student advisor to help fellow classmates. His experiences at St. Joseph and St. Augustine have inspired his future goal of becoming a priest.

Chloe, who also attended St. Joseph and is now completing her ninth-grade year at St. Augustine, is paving her own path of success through school. Like her older brother, Chloe’s favorite subject is math and she has participated in sports such as track and field during 6th and 7th grade. And this year, she discovered a new interest in playing the piano, thanks to the array of electives available at St. Augustine.

AAA Scholarships have also enabled Timothy and William to get a jump start on their educational journey at St. Joseph. Timothy, who is finishing up second grade, was able to overcome his struggles in math with help from his dedicated teacher, Mrs. McGarey, and has found a love for reading and writing, becoming quite good at crafting short stories. His younger brother, William, is just getting started in school as a Kindergartener, but he is already making strides and was recognized for high scores on his academic progress assessment (MAP).

“Without the AAA Scholarship Foundation and its donors, our children would not have the same opportunities they have been given both educationally and developmentally on so many levels,” says Dana.

“We cannot imagine our children going anywhere else and excelling the way they have and will continue to do with the help from AAA Scholarships,” adds Terrance. “To the donors and others that have made this possible for our family as well as so many others – thank you!”

 

About AAA Scholarship Foundation
AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA scholarship student is either below grade level, failing at their previous school, or both, when they receive an income-based scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and care about their future look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges and engages their child to reverse inappropriate learning and/or social patterns and the lifelong negative impact they imply. They wish to change their child’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

Another is the first-time student, who is just entering kindergarten. Parents, wanting to empower their child’s academic journey from day one, choose the AAA scholarship so that their child will have a quality education tailored specifically for their learning needs ensuring their time in school is a seamless experience from K-12.

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri@aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Tiffany Bello-Spence
Miami, FL

Tiffany Bello-Spence is a determined young woman with a big dream of becoming a veterinarian one day, a goal that is now in reach thanks to the preparation she is receiving a Saint Brendan High School in Miami, Fla., a school she is attending on an AAA Scholarship.

Born prematurely and losing her father to cancer before she reached her first birthday, the odds were stacked against Tiffany. However, her mother, Janice Bello, was determined to provide the best life she could for her and has worked tirelessly over the years to fulfill that goal. As Tiffany approached high school, it became clear that she needed a more challenging environment than the school she was zoned for.

“By middle school she already had her mind set: she wanted to attend the University of Florida and become a veterinarian,” recalls Janice. “However, I worried that her determination would be stifled if she continued in an environment that did not provide her with opportunities for growth and tools to help her reach her goals.”

In their search for options, they found Saint Brendan High School. It had everything they hoped for – including a strong academic program with separate academies such as medical sciences, perfectly aligned to Tiffany’s future goal. Unable to afford the tuition on her own, Janice applied for and received a tax credit scholarship from AAA for Tiffany, easing the financial burden and giving her daughter the chance to pursue her dreams.

Now in the 12th grade, Tiffany has excelled during her time at Saint Brendan, where she was one of only 30 students accepted into the medical sciences program her freshman year. She is taking all AP classes while continuing to earn top grades and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She is also involved in various other honor societies including science, English and social science, even serving as president of her school’s Science National Honor Society and secretary of her school’s National English Honor Society. On any given day, you can find her studying or fulfilling her duties for the numerous other activities and clubs she is involved in, such as Environmental Club, Red Cross, Key Club, and Sabres Against Cancer (in honor of her father).

She still has her sights set on attending the University of Florida, but has also applied to other colleges, including University of Miami (UM), University of Central Florida (UCF), Cornell and Florida International University (FIU). She has already been accepted by early admission into UCF and was given the opportunity by Saint Brendan – who only nominates one student per year – to get a scholarship that covers most of the tuition for UM.  We know that she will excel wherever she lands.

“As a single parent on a limited income, I have made many sacrifices to provide a good life for my daughter,” says Janice. “Thanks to AAA, I did not have to sacrifice her quality of education.”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a copy of this student spotlight.

 

Toby Miller
Florida

This past May, Toby Miller walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma, signifying the hurdles he has overcome and the accomplishments he has made at Odessa Christian School. A few years ago, Toby’s mother, Katie Miller, worried about his future after he encountered setbacks in middle school. However, a scholarship from the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA) enabled him to correct his path and he is now on his way to a promising future.

Prior to receiving an AAA Scholarship, Toby attended his local public middle school. His parents had recently divorced, and his mother Katie was adjusting to life as a single mom of four, with Toby being the youngest of the Miller children. Unfortunately, Toby began associating with the wrong crowd and making poor choices, eventually leading him to be suspended from school. Additionally, he began to struggle academically as his 504 educational plan was not being followed and his grades suffered.
Katie was determined to do whatever it took to get her son back on track and began to research alternative solutions, including Odessa Christian School, a school she was familiar with as it was close to their neighborhood and her sister-in-law had previously been a teacher at the school. The school appeared to be the perfect solution, except for one thing: the tuition.

“At the time, I was newly divorced and just finishing up nursing school,” recalls Katie. “Affording the tuition at Odessa Christian would have been next to impossible. However, the school told us about the AAA Scholarship Foundation and we were able to receive a scholarship for Toby. I was overjoyed!”
As Toby transitioned to Odessa Christian, he began to feel seen and heard by his teachers and his grades improved, going from failing to earning A’s and B’s in his classes. Surrounded by positive influences, and with renewed confidence, Toby began to branch out, taking the initiative to volunteer on the production team at church and getting a job at their local grocery store.

“None of these things I advised him to do; he did it all on his own,” says Katie.

By the time Toby reached his senior year, he had become an honor roll student and was recognized for his strong skills as a sound technician. In the Spring of 2024, he graduated with honors from Odessa Christian School. Following graduation, he got a job doing background checks for a company – perfectly suited to his future career interests – and is starting a new chapter at Western Governors University, where he will be studying cyber security.

Reflecting on the journey Toby has undertaken, Katie is both proud and grateful.

“As soon as he started at Odessa Christian, I felt relieved,” says Katie. “As a parent, knowing in my heart that he was in a safe space was very comforting. And now seeing the incredible person he is growing into and all that he has accomplished the past few years…to say I am proud would be an understatement. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Toby’s life would look very different right now if he did not have the tremendous opportunity that was given to him by the AAA Scholarship Foundation and its donors. You have made this all possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.
 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of Toby Miller’s Scholarship Spotlight

The Cirerol Family
Phoenix, AZ
As a teen mom, Yuri Cirerol took on responsibility at a young age and has remained dedicated to giving her children opportunities to thrive in life. Today, Yuri and her husband Aaron are the hardworking parents of four sons ranging in age from eight to 21 years old – three of whom have benefitted from AAA Scholarships.

Originally from Mexico, Yuri relocated with her family to Arizona when she was nine years old. While the move provided hope for expanded opportunities, Yuri struggled with the transition and there were limited resources available at the time. She had her first two sons – Christian and Jacob (now 21 and 18) – when she was a teenager and spent the next five years raising them as a single mom until she met Aaron, who would eventually become her husband and take on the role as a father to her sons. The couple later welcomed two more children – Isaak (14) and Elijaah (8).

The family was first introduced to the AAA Scholarship Foundation (AAA) when their oldest son Christian was in middle school. The public school he was attending at the time was not providing him with a positive environment, one where he could grow and be surrounded by peers with similar goals and values. During this time, the Cirerols had found a community for their family at Saint Jerome Catholic Church in Phoenix and learned about the school connected to the church – Saint Jerome Catholic School.

“It was actually Christian’s idea for us to look into switching him to Saint Jerome Catholic School,” recalls Yuri. “The hurdle for us was being able to afford the tuition.”

The couple works hard to support their family of six: Aaron as an electrician and Yuri as an assembler in a local factory. Without financial assistance, fitting the school tuition into their budget was out of reach. However, a AAA Scholarship helped to bridge the gap and they were able to send Christian to Saint Jerome, where the small environment and close-knit community helped to set him up for future success. He graduated from 8^th grade at Saint Jerome and continued to a local high school to complete his diploma. Today, he is following in Aaron’s footsteps, working as an electrician and leading his own crew.

Seeing the impact that Saint Jerome had on Christian, the Cirerols opted to send Isaak and Elijaah to the school, also with the help from AAA Scholarships. Isaak is now in the 8^th grade at Saint Jerome, where he will graduate in the Spring of 2024 and continue to Bourgade Catholic High School. With a love for science, he is considering pursuing a career as a surgeon in the future. He has also been very active in sports at the school – especially basketball – and is involved in other activities, including serving as a class representative on the student council. As a result of his hard work, he has become an honor roll student and even received a sports leadership award.

Elijaah has also found his place at Saint Jerome, where he is making all A’s and B’s in his second grade class, earning him a spot on the honor roll. He also loves playing sports and may join one of the athletic programs offered at Saint Jerome when he is eligible.
For Yuri and Aaron, being able to give their children opportunities that they did not have is priceless.

“Growing up, I did not have many educational options,” says Yuri. “It is important to us that our children are able to get a good education that will benefit their future.”

AAA Scholarships have also provided them with peace of mind, especially when faced with unexpected circumstances. For example, when Yuri’s unreliable car was jeopardizing her ability to get to and from work, they did not have to choose between affording tuition and getting a car, which would have had a tremendous impact on their finances.

“When you don’t come from a wealthy family or you are not in the best financial situation, your options are limited,” says Yuri. “AAA Scholarships removed that financial barrier and as a result our children are receiving an outstanding education and experiences that will last a lifetime. Our most sincere appreciation goes to all the donors who make this possible!”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Taylor Kennedy
Savannah, GA

For many of our scholarship recipients, the opportunities they receive extend beyond the classroom doors and change the trajectory of their future. Taylor Kennedy is one example.

Taylor’s mother, Monik Brinson, is an unwavering advocate for her children. As a single mother, Monik works tirelessly to make sure her children’s needs are met. She never wanted the neighborhood they lived in to determine what kind of education they received. However, when Taylor’s older brother Warren was entering middle school, it became clear that she needed to find other options to prevent a potentially disastrous future for Warren, as well as Taylor and their younger sister Caroline. AAA Scholarships enabled them to attend schools that were a better fit – a move that would open up a world of opportunities.

Taylor received the scholarship when she was in second grade, allowing her to build a solid foundation over the years and develop interests such as science, art and sports. In 8th grade, she discovered her passion for volleyball, a sport that is having a big impact on her future goals.

“Volleyball is an outlet for me,” explains Taylor. “Whenever I am feeling stressed or anxious, all I have to do is play volleyball and it helps relieve my stress and worries. Volleyball has most definitely helped me grow into more of a leader on and off the court.”

One could say that athleticism and hard work runs in the family. Taylor’s big brother is Warren Brinson, a former AAA scholarship recipient that is making big moves on the University of Georgia football team (you can read more about his story here).

And now it looks like Taylor is well on her way to creating a successful future for herself as she makes strides on and off the volleyball court as a senior at Calvary Day School. A celebrated member of the varsity volleyball team, she has already received three college offers. While she has not decided on which college she will choose, she hopes to attend on a volleyball scholarship to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine while continuing to play the sport she loves.

Reflecting on her family’s journey with AAA Scholarships, Monik says there is one word that sums it up: grateful. “I made a lot of sacrifices to get my children to this point – to make sure that they had a good education and everything they needed to succeed – and I could not have done it alone,” she says. “AAA Scholarship Foundation and its supporters gave us a helping hand, ensuring that my kids’ dreams could become reality.”

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this student spotlight.

Krystal Guerrero
Havana, Florida

On May 4, 2023, at only 18 years old, Krystal Guerrero nervously walked across the stage at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Fla., to receive her associate’s degree. A few weeks later, she would also officially graduate from high school – making her the first in her family to do so. While these accomplishments are a result of Krystal’s determination and hard work, she credits the AAA Scholarship Foundation for giving her the opportunity to achieve these goals.

“AAA Scholarship Foundation paved the way for my education,” says Krystal. “If it were not for AAA, I would not have accomplished any of the things I did. To this day, I am so very thankful to all of the AAA donors!”

Krystal is the eldest daughter of Juan and Jelen Guerrero and the big sister to Paola, Genesis and Juan Jr. Juan Sr. began working at the young age of 14 to help his parents financially, and neither he nor Jelen was able to finish high school. Juan and Jelen were determined to provide Krystal and her siblings with opportunities they did not have – which often meant putting in long hours of hard work and making sacrifices along the way.

When Krystal started elementary school, despite her natural determination to succeed, she faced several challenges. Coming from a primarily Spanish-speaking household, daily interactions with teachers and peers were often difficult and she struggled to keep up in school. Even after switching to a different public school, she fell further behind because she was not receiving the help she needed. Desperate for a solution, her parents explored every option that was available and landed on Robert F. Munroe Day School, where the dedicated teachers, family-like environment and array of educational opportunities was the perfect fit for Krystal and her siblings. AAA Scholarships made it possible for the hard-working Guerrero family to afford the tuition.

During her time at Munroe Day School, Krystal blossomed as she realized her full potential and began to set goals for her future. By the time she reached 11^th grade, she began taking college-level classes through the dual-enrollment program at Tallahassee Community College (TCC).
“Because families aren’t charged for dual-enrollment courses, it helped my parents financially and allowed me to get a jumpstart on my goal of becoming a nurse,” says Krystal.

For her last two years of high school, Krystal was able to complete all of her pre-requisite classes for nursing school and by the end of her senior year, she earned her associate’s degree a few weeks before she walked across the stage to receive her high school diploma. She admits it was tough, but her family helped her to push through.
“My parents have always been my motivation,” says Krystal. “All my hard work and dedication was to make them proud. They always encourage me to follow my dreams and I really could not have done it without them.”

As if her academic achievements were not enough, Krystal also played on Munroe’s volleyball team and completed community service work through the school’s Anchor Club. Additionally, she participated in Munroe’s Beta Club and student council, as well as TCC’s National Society of Leadership and Success, and earned a spot on the dean’s and president’s lists at TCC. During her senior year, she also ran for Miss Munroe Court, an event that recognizes a select group of senior girls for their involvement in various life organizations at the school, taking into consideration GPA, extracurriculars and future goals.

Not only did she win, but she became the first Hispanic Miss Munroe and was recognized in the local newspaper for this achievement. “I am so incredibly proud of myself for accomplishing things that I thought were impossible,” says Krystal. “I broke barriers in my school. Being Miss Munroe is an honor.”

After applying to and being accepted into several colleges and universities – both near and far – Krystal had a tough decision to make. She ultimately decided to stick close to home and is currently attending the Ghazvini Center for Healthcare Education at TCC to accomplish her goal of becoming a registered nurse.

“It was not an easy decision, but my heart told me that I needed to stay close to home,” explains Krystal. “I am very family oriented and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my little siblings. They always depend on me, and secretly, I depend on them as well. I now know that it was the best decision I could have possibly made. I absolutely love the program I am in and TCC is the perfect place for me.”

With a current graduation year set for 2025, Krystal is well on her way to achieving yet another goal and is already making future plans, which include working at one of the local hospitals for at least two years before becoming a travel nurse to explore new places outside of Florida while pursuing her passion in healthcare.

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.
 

AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

Click here for a pdf of this AAA Graduate Spotlight

The Hilliard Family
Marietta, GA

Mark and Katrina Hilliard’s love story began after they met in kindergarten – quickly becoming inseparable friends that would later lead to dating and eventually getting married. Mark would go on to become a church worship pastor, while Katrina worked as a high school math teacher. When their dreams of expanding their family were halted due to infertility, they turned their focus to foster care, a decision that has led to an incredible outcome.

“Infertility was an extremely difficult road to walk, and the doctors eventually told us that IVF was our only option,” recalls Katrina. “Some friends at our church worked at a foster care agency, so we began asking many questions. After many difficult and emotional conversations, we decided against IVF, and we were ready to begin foster parenting classes. The main goal of foster care is reunification, so we wanted to help children while their biological parents worked to get them back. We were open to adoption, but only as a last resort if a child could not return to his or her family.”

Those plans would change when the Hilliard’s got their first foster care placement in June 2016 – Joshua, a three-week old infant. By the time Joshua was a year old, Mark and Katrina were overjoyed to adopt him. Within months, the family of three became a party of four when a 3-week-old baby boy, Jak, was placed in their home through foster care. Before long, Jak officially became a part of the Hilliard family when they finalized his adoption. Then, in July 2019, the Hilliard’s welcomed another foster baby into their home – Jacob – who they would also eventually adopt. They now had three boys under three years old – but the family was not done expanding.

“When Jacob was just nine months old, we got an unexpected call from our case manager,” recalls Katrina. “Jak had a newborn biological brother who needed a family. We said ‘yes!’ to three-day-old little Judah in April 2020 – right in the middle of a global pandemic. You counted correctly – we now had four boys, four and under! It has been a wild, shocking, blessed ride and we wouldn’t change a thing! Our boys keep our home loud, our schedules full, and our hearts forever grateful.”

When it came time for Joshua and Jak to start school, the Hilliard’s knew how important it was to find the right academic setting.

“Foster care is accompanied by trauma,” says Katrina. “Poverty, drug exposure, neglect, lack of educational resources, addiction, homelessness, abuse and lack of support are all common reasons children enter the foster care system. Our boys entered our home as infants, but they still experienced some of these struggles in-utero and in their short time before entering foster care. More importantly, some of their biological family members have experienced these struggles for generations.”

While the local public schools were not the best fit for Joshua or Jak, two different area private schools appeared to provide the learning environment they needed. However, with four small children – including two still in diapers – affording the tuition was not possible. Their solution came in the form of AAA Scholarships, allowing Joshua and Jak to attend schools where they are thriving.

As a Kindergartner at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, Joshua has gained valuable reading skills and become a master of math. He is an active, athletic and kind-hearted 6-year-old who loves to learn and is a great big brother. While he can be shy, Cornerstone Prep’s small class size, attentive teachers and consistent routine have helped him improve his social confidence and come out of his shell.

Also during the 2022-23 school year, Jak began attending Midway Covenant Christian School in the K4 program, gaining all the skills in letters, numbers and writing that he will need to move onto Kindergarten. At five years old, Jak is curious, kind, charming and loves to make others laugh. He has a great love for cats and is fascinated by clocks and figuring out how things work. A perfectionist by nature, he is hesitant to try new things, but his teacher has helped him build confidence and now he is flourishing both socially and academically.

“AAA Scholarships have been a godsend for our family – enabling us to place our boys in wonderful schools with healthy environments,” says Katrina. “The flexibility to choose a private school for each of them has been monumental as they enter their formative school years. Their smaller class sizes empower their teachers to better assess and meet their individual needs, while also allowing us to be closely involved with teachers and school administration to ensure our sons remain on a successful trajectory. We sincerely feel that we are in partnership with their teachers, which brings us great peace of mind. Thank you to AAA and all the donors who have made this opportunity possible for our children!”

 

About AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation promotes the advancement of education by administering educational choice programs. The typical AAA Scholarship student is an ethnic minority living with a struggling single parent/caregiver in a high crime community. More than 80 percent of these children are initially awarded AAA scholarships while living in households with annual incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many are either below grade level, failing at their previous school or both when they first receive a scholarship. Parents, who find their children in these circumstances and are concerned about their future, look for viable options. They seek an atmosphere that challenges their children and will reverse inadequate learning, social patterns and potential lifelong negative impacts. They wish to change their children’s learning environment, acquaintances and the unfortunate predictable outcomes associated with school failure.

 AAA Scholarships are funded in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Nevada by companies that redirect a portion of their state tax liability to the AAA Scholarship Foundation in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. AAA Scholarship Foundation is one of the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit scholarship organizations approved to administer these legislatively-authorized tax credit scholarship programs in multiple states. AAA Scholarship Foundation provides your company with the convenience and efficiency of a single solution for participating in multiple state tax credit scholarship programs. For more information, or to learn how your company can participate in the program, visit www.AAAScholarships.org, or contact Kerri Vaughan at kerri @ aaascholarships.org or 888-707-2465 ext. 730.

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