At School the World, we know that one of the biggest barriers to long-term education in rural Central America is the transition from elementary to middle school. That’s why our Middle School Scholarship Program focuses on students in Grades 7 through 9—helping them overcome that first critical hurdle with financial support, mentorship, and connection.
But our support doesn’t stop with scholarships. It plants the seeds for students to find their own way forward.
Today, we’re celebrating the high school graduations of two former scholarship students, Evelin Marleny López Lux and Ángel Tzoy. While our formal support ended after 9th grade, both Evelin and Ángel found the motivation and means to continue on—and now, they’re walking across the graduation stage.
Their stories are powerful reminders that when young people are given the chance to continue their education, they begin to see what’s possible—and start building toward it.
Evelin recently graduated from high school with a diploma in accounting (Perito Contador). She completed her studies while working full-time at a furniture store and supporting her mother at home. Though the demands were many, she stayed focused and driven—motivated, in part, by the encouragement she received through our Middle School Scholarship Program.
“Thanks to you, who helped me in Middle School and motivated me to continue studying, I did very well throughout my studies,” she shared. “Thanks to God and to my mom, who always supported me… this year was my graduation, on November 13th”.
When Evelin crossed the stage, her parents invited our scholarship program administrator to attend her ceremony as a gesture of deep gratitude. It was a full-circle moment: a testament to the lasting impact of a scholarship program that ends in 9th grade, but sparks belief in what comes next.
In an earlier interview filmed in 2022, Evelin spoke of dreams that included becoming a lawyer and helping her community. Today, even if those exact plans evolve, her continued education and work ethic show that she’s charting a path of her own—and one still rooted in giving back.
Ángel, who lives in Sololá, Guatemala, just graduated with a high school diploma with a specialization in computer science. He has become known in his community for helping others with computer-related tasks and speaks proudly of how his education has served him both inside and outside the classroom.
“In my studies I have done quite well,” he wrote. “I have learned many things that have not only served me in class, but also outside of it. For example, when people ask me for help installing programs in Windows—it’s something I enjoy doing”.
This year marked a double milestone for Ángel’s family: while he completed high school, his sister graduated from sixth grade.
“I feel very happy because this year is very special for me and my sister… and that represents an important achievement for us,” he shared. “Thank you for the support you have given me during these years, because thanks to you, today I can say that I have reached another goal in my life”.
For Evelin and Ángel, and for many of our scholarship recipients, 9th grade wasn’t the finish line—it was a launching point. When students make it through middle school, they gain more than knowledge. They gain belief—in themselves, in their future, and in the power of education to transform their lives.
Their stories remind us that early investment matters. With the right support at the right moment, students don’t just stay in school—they thrive.
From classrooms to communities, this is education that transforms.