From Wrestling Mat to Classroom: How the Right School Helped Unlock Bo Bassett’s Potential

Tommy Schultz · CEO, American Federation for Children

For Bo Bassett, the right school didn’t just support his goals—it helped him reach his full potential.

Growing Up in a Wrestling Hotbed

Bo Bassett grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania—one of the most storied wrestling regions in the entire country. In a place where wrestling is more than a sport, Bo was shaped by a culture that values discipline, hard work, and competition from an early age.

But talent and drive alone don’t guarantee success. The environment that surrounds a young athlete matters just as much as the athlete himself. And for Bo, something wasn’t working.

When School Stopped Working

In a traditional school setting, Bo found himself struggling—not because he lacked ability, but because the environment wasn’t the right fit. Large classrooms, limited individual attention, and a school culture that didn’t align with his values left him feeling disconnected.

His potential was there. The conditions to unlock it weren’t.

Taking a Leap into Choice

When Bo transferred to Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, everything changed.

“Making the switch was life-changing — education-wise, athletically, and in my faith.”

— Bo Bassett

Bishop McCort is a Catholic school rooted in faith, community, and a commitment to developing the whole student. With smaller class sizes and educators who invest personally in their students, Bo found an environment where he could thrive in every dimension of his life.

“Making the switch was life-changing,” Bo says, “education-wise, athletically, and in my faith.” That sentence says everything. School choice wasn’t just about athletics or academics—it touched every part of who he was becoming.

School Choice Isn’t About Sports—It’s About Fit

Bo’s story is often told through the lens of wrestling. But the deeper truth is about something more fundamental: every student deserves a school environment where they can be known, challenged, and prepared for their future.

For some students, that means a larger public school with diverse programming. For others—like Bo—it means a smaller, faith-centered community where the whole person is seen and invested in. Neither path is wrong. What matters is that families have the freedom to choose.

Stories like Bo’s are exactly why the AFC Scholarship Fund exists—and why expanding school choice is so urgent. When students find the right fit, they don’t just survive. They reach their full potential.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, launching January 1, 2027, will help make that possible for more families across America. Eligible donors will receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 when they contribute to a qualifying K–12 scholarship organization. Any amount above $1,700 qualifies as a standard 501(c)(3) charitable deduction. There is no cap on how much you can give.

Because when every student finds their right school, anything is possible.