Celebrating 25 years
of ACE Scholarships
Annual Luncheon
Celebrating 25 years
of ACE Scholarships
Annual Luncheon

Cheers to 25 years of educational freedom.
Event Program
“Changing education changes everything” is more than a tagline — it’s a powerful truth that explains why ACE exists. Education sits at the root of nearly every major challenge we face, from economic instability to public health and even national security. When we change education, we create ripple effects that reach far beyond the classroom. For families navigating limited options, educational freedom opens the door to opportunity. When parents can choose the right fit for their children, students thrive — academically and beyond. When we prioritize educational access, we invest in a future where more children are prepared to lead, innovate, and uplift their communities. And that changes everything.
A man of vision who has a proven record of championship success, head coach Nick Saban returned the University of Alabama to the top of the college football landscape with his commitment to building the total program. After the victory over Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Saban passed Paul “Bear” Bryant to become the only coach to win seven national titles in the poll era of college football.
Saban’s uncompromising dedication to excellence in every phase of the program resulted in six national championships since 2009. A nine-time National Coach of the Year, Saban achieved resounding success as a head coach and earned a reputation as an outstanding tactician, leader, organizer, and motivator. Those qualities sparked impressive turnarounds at every stop of his career. Saban’s consistent approach and disciplined leadership are the reasons his teams are known for exhibiting grit, determination, and resilience, often overcoming adversity to achieve victory.

Featured Speaker
Nick Saban
A man of vision who has a proven record of championship success, head coach Nick Saban returned the University of Alabama to the top of the college football landscape with his commitment to building the total program. After the victory over Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Saban passed Paul “Bear” Bryant to become the only coach to win seven national titles in the poll era of college football.
Saban’s uncompromising dedication to excellence in every phase of the program resulted in six national championships since 2009. A nine-time National Coach of the Year, Saban achieved resounding success as a head coach and earned a reputation as an outstanding tactician, leader, organizer, and motivator. Those qualities sparked impressive turnarounds at every stop of his career. Saban’s consistent approach and disciplined leadership are the reasons his teams are known for exhibiting grit, determination, and resilience, often overcoming adversity to achieve victory.
ACE Founders
ACE Scholarships was founded in 2000 by Alex Cranberg, Charlie Gallagher, Ralph Nagel, John Saeman and the late Ed McVaney and John Walton to provide low-income parents with the freedom to choose the K-12 schools that are best for their children.
The founders’ vision was powerful but simple: that all children have access to great schools. The founders’ commitment to launch ACE was formed through many years of frustration with a lack of reform within the public school system and unsuccessful legislative efforts to provide publicly funded vouchers to families for private school.
They were also keenly aware that low-income students lagged far behind students of other incomes and that overall, American students continued to fall further behind students in other countries.

What is School Choice?

School choice allows every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently.

Ways to Support
You can be a part of changing a child’s story.
For more information about how you can be a part of ACE Scholarships, please reach out to:
Brittani O’Brien
Liz Cole











































































