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“It’s great to come out here and not only get to tell you a little bit about The Howley Foundation, but learn about you as a student at Padua, learn about your experience and learn about you as an individual. That’s one of the best things,” PJ Reindel, the Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer of The Howley Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, told the students.

“The best part of the job is to come out and meet you, hear your stories and to talk about how meaningful education is to you.”

The Howley Scholars Program offers renewable scholarships for all four years at Padua Franciscan High School. Their generosity ensures students and families have the necessary financial resources to receive a premier Franciscan college preparatory education.

To initially and continue receiving the scholarship, each Howley Scholar must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average, make meaningful contributions to extracurricular activities and be in good standing at Padua.

“What makes this program so special is they really want to know what our kids are all about,” said Anna King, Padua’s Hope Program Coordinator.

“The journey that our students are on, The Howley Foundation wants to be a part of that. That really goes a long way. When the kids are able to see that and feel that, it gives them a purpose.”

Created by Nick and Lorie Howley in 2003, The Howley Foundation was started to give academic scholarships and tuition assistance to students. In addition to supporting the Cristo Rey Network and other uniquely effective education models, The Foundation assists more than 1,400 elementary, high school and college students in Cleveland and Philadelphia.

Along with funding high school scholarships and meaningful elementary school programs for underprivileged students, The Howley Foundation recently began awarding college and university scholarships.

“Nick and Lorie Howley have had such success in their lives and feel that it is important to give that opportunity to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have it,” said Halle Martin, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Howley Foundation.

“They believe really strongly that a good, quality education is key to making a difference in lives. That’s really the key to the program and why they’re trying to make a difference. There are some great schools in Northeast Ohio, and Padua clearly fits into that in terms of providing opportunities to students.

“There are a lot of foundations that just write checks, but for us, this is so meaningful to be able to see how we’re making a difference, and more importantly, to let the students know there are people behind this scholarship who believe in them, who are proud of them, and who really have a personal stake in their success.”

Before the conclusion of the breakfast meeting, Padua Principal Bob DiRocco presented Reindel, Martin and Busser with Padua Prayer Blankets as a reminder that the Bruins are grateful to those who have helped them on their journeys.

“The Prayer Blankets are really appropriate because we’re really big on what I would call intentionality,” Reindel told the meeting attendees. “We do a lot of things intentionally. I have to believe that it’s intentional that we’re here for a reason.

“We’re proud of you. We love you guys. We love to see your success, and we want to keep seeing that. You’re here for a reason, too. You’re on scholarship for a reason. You’re a member of the family and community for a reason, and you’re a student scholar at Padua for a reason. We’re happy to be a part of your journey here, and we want to see you do great things.”