The Power of Opportunity

Celebrating CISE High School Scholarship Donors

In April, CISE hosted a very special event at DePaul Cristo Rey High School to celebrate our high school scholarship donors. Scholarship donors and their guests were invited to be recognized for their generosity and to celebrate the growing impact of the CISE High School Scholarship Program.

Throughout the evening, guests heard inspiring stories directly from the students whose lives have been changed. All three student speakers — Jaja Bah (St. Ursula Academy), Amy Morgan (Purcell Marian), and Naomi Brundage (Purcell Marian) — are college-bound next year, a testament to the life-changing opportunities created through the CISE High School Scholarship Program.

The CISE High School Scholarship Program was created to help students from CISE-supported elementary schools continue their educational journeys at area Catholic high schools. A four-year scholarship represents a $16,000 commitment per student — an investment that not only makes a Catholic high school education possible but also opens the door to a lifetime of opportunity.

To ensure students thrive, CISE also partners with each high school by funding dedicated advocates who provide extra support as needed. CISE makes an annual payment to each high school of $500 per student so the schools can provide the assistance students need to navigate academic, social, and personal challenges, offering additional support and care throughout high school.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the program now supports 500 students enrolled at 14 Catholic high schools across Greater Cincinnati — the highest number in CISE history. The need for CISE scholarships has doubled in size and impact over the past four years, highlighting both the growing demand and the program’s proven success in transforming lives.

“We have learned how much the kindness and generosity of others can change lives,” said Jaja Bah. “It has lifted our family one step at a time when we needed it most.”

Senior, Amy Morgan spoke about the burden lifted from her large family: “I want to especially thank those a part of CISE scholarship program for providing me and my siblings the opportunity to attend the high school of our choice while relieving the financial burden from my family of eight.”

For Naomi Brundage, the high school scholarship provided stability during a time of unimaginable personal loss. “In January of my junior year, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Unfortunately, in March of 2024 my mother lost her fight with cancer and passed away,” Naomi shared. “With the expensive medical bills and without CISE, I wouldn’t have been able to continue my education at Purcell Marian.”

Also speaking at the event were CISE Board members Andy Farfsing, Matt Stautberg, and Allison Kropp. Farfsing, a 25-year educator and former principal, shared a reflection that captured the spirit of the evening. Quoting Winston Churchill, he reminded guests, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”

Farfsing compared CISE donors to the Good Samaritan — those who stop by the side of the road to help. “Because of your generosity, CISE supports schools. Those schools support teachers. And those teachers, in turn, support our students — helping them become who they are meant to be,” he said. “All of that is only possible because of what you give.”

By endowing the high school scholarship and support programs, CISE hopes to ensure this life-changing opportunity is available to every CISE student — today and for generations to come.

Interested in becoming a High School Scholarship Donor? Please, contact Kelly Camm at kcamm@cisekids.org.