A Different Path, A Stronger Future:
How School Choice Helped Makensie Thrive
When Makensie moved into a smaller classroom setting at Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, everything shifted.
For Makensie Scott, the traditional public education system wasn’t enough.
In classrooms of nearly 30 students, it was easy to disappear. Help was available, but attention was divided. The environment was not built around her strengths, her interests, or the kind of growth her parents knew she was capable of.
They did not want average. They wanted the right fit.
Seen, Known, Supported
When Makensie moved into a smaller classroom setting at Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, everything shifted. With closer to 20 students per class, teachers had time to answer questions, offer guidance, and build real relationships.
She was no longer one of many. She was known.
That kind of attention builds more than academic improvement. It builds confidence. It teaches students to raise their hands, ask questions, and trust their own voice. Over time, that confidence carries into every part of life.
School choice gave her the space to grow.
Strength of Mind, Strength of Body
At her new school, Makensie found something she never expected: powerlifting.
What began as an activity quickly became discipline. Training required focus. Competing demanded resilience. Progress required belief.
She did not just get stronger physically. She grew mentally tougher. More determined. More self-assured.
Today, she is a state powerlifting champion.
Her family is clear about one thing. Without school choice, that opportunity may never have existed. The right environment revealed strengths that might otherwise have stayed hidden.
Grounded in Faith, Confident in Her Future
The school her parents chose also gave Makensie something deeper. It strengthened her faith.
In a community where spiritual formation was part of daily life, she developed a clearer sense of who she is and what she values. That foundation shaped how she approaches academics, athletics, and relationships.
School choice did not just influence where she studied. It shaped who she became.
Now, as a senior, she looks ahead without fear. The discipline instilled by her parents, the confidence built in smaller classrooms, the resilience forged through competition, and the grounding of her faith have prepared her for what comes next. “My life would be very different without Pope,” she says.
My life would be very different without Pope
– Makensie Scott
She is stronger because her parents had options. She is confident because she was supported. She is who she is today because of school choice.
The AFC Scholarship Fund is building to expand scholarship opportunities so more families can pursue the right educational environment for their children.
Get notified when the Education Freedom Tax Credit launches so you don’t miss the opportunity to support K–12 students while benefiting from a federal tax credit.
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