The answer came through the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation—a gift, as Karla describes it, that made everything possible for her sons Julian and Nicolas.
“It is really a blessing,” she says simply.
Before finding Saint Benedict, Karla had spent years searching for the right environment that aligned with her faith and values. Having grown up in Catholic schools herself, she understood the impact of an education rooted in faith. She wanted her sons to experience that same foundation: one that forms not only the mind, but the heart and the spirit.
The scholarship made that possible.
After they started in fall 2024, she almost immediately saw a difference. Her oldest son, Julian, came home one day and shared that his favorite subject was theology. For Karla, that moment was profound. It affirmed that her hard work had paid off, and her sons were growing spiritually as well as academically.
“I knew this was the reason I wanted them here,” she reflects. “The teachers are amazing and work with families to help students learn.”
At Saint Benedict Catholic School, faith is woven into daily life. Students learn in a classical model that emphasizes truth and purpose, supported by a small, close-knit community where teachers work closely with families. For Karla, it feels both familiar and deeply needed in today’s world.
The school’s Smart Families program, which encourages limited and intentional use of technology, has also shaped life at home. It’s given her tools to guide her sons thoughtfully, helping them understand not just rules but values as they navigate the emerging age of technology.
And Karla is clear: none of this would be happening without the generosity behind the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation.
That support doesn’t just cover tuition; it opens doors. It allows her children to grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience an education that might otherwise have been out of reach.
“Being able to attend Saint Benedict School is a gift from God. We are so blessed. I’m excited for all they will learn during their years there,” says Karla.
Today, Nicolas comes home excited about the playground, while Julian continues to deepen his love for learning and faith. Each day reflects the opportunity they’ve been given; one made possible by people they may never meet, but whose generosity shapes their lives nonetheless.
And the impact is lasting.
Because of that support, her sons aren’t just attending a school. They are growing up in a community that feels like home—grounded in faith, guided by truth, and made possible by a gift that will stay with them for years to come
By Ryley McGinnis Lester