A New Chapter for Linus: Rediscovering the Joy of Learning

When Linus first started school, he was the kind of student who lit up at the thought of learning—curious, engaged, and excited for each discovery. But after a series of life changes and school transitions, that spark began to fade.

"He just wasn't interested in school anymore," his mother, Joanna, recalls. "I noticed he lost his enthusiasm for learning."

The transition from a small private Catholic school in LaPlace, made possible by help from his grandparents, to a public school marked a shift. Finances had changed, and so had Linus' connection to the classroom.

But hope began to return in an unexpected place: the church. Linus’ family had been attending a local church connected to Ascension Christian School for years. Over time, his mother got to know members of the congregation, many of whom worked at the school or volunteered in the children's ministry.

"I was talking to one of the church members about my son," Joanna shares, "and they said the school accepts the Arete scholarship. They encouraged me to apply and see if we could get him in."

That conversation opened a door Joanna hadn’t thought possible. With the help of the Arete scholarship, Linus was enrolled at Ascension Christian, and the change was almost immediate.

“He’s back to his old self,” Joanna says. “He’s enjoying what he’s doing. He’s enjoying learning again.”

Now entering sixth grade, Linus is once again full of ideas and aspirations. He’s especially passionate about science and math, subjects that have come alive for him thanks to the supportive and attentive teachers at his new school.

His science teacher, Mr. Person, has played a key role in nurturing that interest. “He’s done a lot to keep Linus engaged, introducing him to different types of sciences and ways they can be applied,” Joanna says. “It’s made a real impact.”

English hasn’t come as easily for Linus, but his teacher, Ms. Odom, stepped in with compassion and commitment. “She really took her time with Linus to help him get to where he needs to be,” Joanna shares. “I think he was a little behind coming from his old school, but she made sure he didn’t fall through the cracks.”

That kind of care has rekindled Linus' drive not just for school, but for his future. “Since starting sixth grade, he’s been talking about going to college. He found out about an early enrollment program at a university and said, ‘I want to do good in school so I can get into that program.’”

These are the moments that remind Joanna just how much of a difference a scholarship can make. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise,” she shares. “The scholarship gave me the opportunity to put him somewhere where he could thrive.”

Her gratitude runs deep—not only for the financial support, but for the lasting impact it’s having on her son’s future. “I’m grateful,” she says. “It genuinely does make a difference in children’s lives. With education, you might not see it immediately, but over the years, it shows. These kids grow up to be well-rounded, educated adults. What the donors are doing really matters.”

For Linus, it’s not just a scholarship. It’s a new beginning. And thanks to the support of those who believe in the power of education, his future is looking brighter than ever.