Big dreams, bigger heart

With his father absent most of his life, Nathan became the man of the house at a very early age. He deeply desired to attend his dream school: De La Salle High School on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. A single mother serving as both primary breadwinner and caregiver, Nathan’s mom could not afford the cost of tuition. They applied for an ACE scholarship and were thrilled to be one of our earliest recipients.

Fueled by the opportunities at his ACE partner school, Nathan persevered academically, attained a high school diploma, and acquired an amazing network of friends and support through De La Salle. He is now focused on his dream to own an auto mechanic shop (so he can work on his true passion: fixing up old muscle cars), starting with pursuing a Business Management degree from Delgado Community College.

Nathan has a heart as big as his ambitions. His dream of running his own shop represents something far greater: Nathan plans to pay it forward through his auto mechanic business—offering honest, professional service at a fair price, while training the next generation of car aficionados. Seeing this gregarious, passionate, budding businessman use his talents on behalf of our community is nothing short of inspiring.

Nathan is one of 51 Louisiana seniors on an ACE scholarship this school year, and many of them are the first in their families to ever graduate high school. These scholarships—these opportunities that you and all of our ACE benefactors generously provide—unquestionably change lives.

Nathan’s letter below serves as a reminder that, along with the remarkable tax benefit of donating to ACE and receiving a 95% income tax credit, the most rewarding part is being able to empower young men and women with an education that allows them to reach for their dreams.

Our students are our future, and with young people like Nathan at the helm, it’s a hopeful one.

Thank you for making success stories like this possible.