A Strong Start That Made a Difference: An Aim Higher Scholar Story

The Nygaard Family at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton

After moving back to the Twin Cities from North Dakota, Samantha had one clear priority: finding the right school for her soon-to-be kindergartener, GioVanni. “I just wanted him to have a strong start because those early years are so important,” she said.

Having attended public school herself, Samantha knew her son would benefit from a more personalized environment, one where he could be both challenged and supported. She explored a range of options, from charter to STEM schools. But everything changed the day she walked into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS).

“It was meeting the kindergarten teacher that did it for me,” Samantha recalled.

As they spoke, the teacher described how she engaged young learners, her classroom approach, and the expectations she set for her students. But it was how she said it that inspired Samantha. “Her face lit up when she talked about the kids,” Samantha said. “you could tell teaching was more than just a job to her.”

Still, as a single mother navigating a complicated chapter in her life, Samantha was unsure how she would afford her son's tuition to attend Catholic school.

“There’s no way I could have done this on my own,” she said. Through an Aim Higher Scholarship, GioVanni received financial support that will continue through his elementary school journey, up to eighth grade, opening the door to an opportunity Samantha once thought was out of reach.

From the very beginning, GioVanni thrived at SEAS. A hands-on learner with a curious mind, he quickly made friends and found joy in the classroom. He especially loves science and already dreams of becoming an inventor. His first idea is a machine that helps people do laundry.

For Samantha, the impact of SEAS extends far beyond academics.

As a non-Catholic family, she initially wondered whether they would truly feel included. Instead, they found a community that embraced them fully. When Samantha once expressed concern about her son participating in a faith-based activity, GioVanni’s teacher reassured her with a simple but powerful response: “He’s still a child of God.”

“That meant everything to me,” Samantha said. That same sense of care carried through a difficult season when Samantha was laid off. Teachers and school leaders reached out with support and resources, reminding her that she and her son were not alone. “This community has been such a blessing,” she said.

What began as a search for a good school became something much more. SEAS became a place where her son was known, supported, and inspired, and where both of them found a sense of belonging.