Through the generous support of our donors, the Stacie Lee Belew Scholarship Fund has provided over $290,000 in need-based scholarship grants since its inception in 2016! 

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For the 2025-26 school year, we are providing 13 scholarships to attend Christian schools in Missouri. We also continue to sponsor 5 students who attend and live at a Christian school in Uganda! 

 

We know these scholarships are making an impact on the lives of families, students and their schools. Below is what school administrators and teachers tell us about our scholarship recipients, whose families have experienced challenges due to such things as the loss or illness of a parent, unemployment, guardianship issues and financial need.

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8th grade student who is one of 2 children of a single parent living in poverty:
(Student) is making great progress. She is working very hard and has applied to a Catholic high school. She is much more engaged in 8th grade activities including our recent Advent program and any opportunities to interact with our younger students (i.e. Girl Scout volunteer). (Student) is truly able to attend our school as a result of the SLB scholarship. Her family understands the importance of (Student) being in a safe Christian environment to support her learning. Mom struggles to navigate opportunities for her family and this direct scholarship has eliminated cumbersome application processes. THANK YOU!

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8th grade student whose family has experienced financial hardship:
(Student) is finishing his 1st semester of 8th grade and has applied to attend a Catholic high school next year. His grades are consistent throughout the coursework, and he meets the learning targets. (Student) is well-liked by his peers. This scholarship helps the family keep (Student) and his siblings in faith-based school settings; otherwise, this may not be an option for the family.

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7th grade student who recently lost his father:
(Student)’s father was recently killed, and he was the financial backbone of the family. Due to his father’s death, (Student)’s mom was ready to withdraw him from our school due to financial hardship, but the scholarship enabled him to continue his Christian education here. (Student) is doing well academically; he works hard, excels in sports as well. His mom said having him at our school is a blessing for him throughout his loss. Teachers have commented on how well he is doing in his classes and this year he is taking Honors Math, which next year will make him eligible for taking Algebra 1 (High school Mathematics). Thanks to the scholarship, (Student)’s mother didn’t have to worry about tuition. Mom and Grandma are active at our school, volunteering or helping anyway they can. (Student)’s grandmother even assisted another parent by taking her son to school and picking him up as well. We appreciate them being at our school.

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5th grade student whose family has experienced financial hardship:
A few years ago, this family faced greater financial hardship when (Student)’s father lost his job. Additionally, (Student) struggled with her social-emotional skills and academically. Through this, (Student) went through evaluations and received various diagnoses that impacted her educational needs. This scholarship has helped with tuition, ultimately helping the family through this. (Student) is doing very well academically and has developed a stronger sense of grit and motivation. The struggles she faces are supported well within our community through her teachers and our resource teachers. Being in a smaller environment allows her to be known, cared for and supported. (Student) is very kind and shares care and concern with her classmates. One of the benefits of (Student) and now her sister attending our school is family involvement. Her mother helped organize and lead several of our Hispanic Heritage Month activities. Her parents also attended one of our Strategic Planning events. They are building stronger connections and relationships within our community and that benefits the girls as well. (Student) is so sweet and brings a smile to every staff member's face that she interacts with!

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4th grade student whose parents work for Christian organizations:
(Student) is progressing wonderfully in reading and math! He thrives when we challenge him with critical thinking opportunities. He shows exceptional Christian character and leadership, and is always the first to volunteer to help and serve in the classroom. He is a very trustworthy student, and it is a privilege to have him in our school! The SLB scholarship has enabled this family to keep all three of their children in Lutheran schools. Our school has also benefitted from this family, who are active volunteers and share their talents in many ways. This family loves Lutheran education and have been so blessed by it. They truly believe it is an extension of our responsibility as parents to raise our kids to love and serve Jesus.

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4th grade student from an immigrant family with 2 boys in Catholic high schools:
(Student) is a joyful learner! She is a leader in the classroom and does her best in all of her work. She often speaks of the importance of a good education and attending church. (Student’s) family has benefitted from the SLB scholarship since her family is committed to a Christian education for all of their children but it is not readily in their reach. The parents both work incredibly hard and frequently thank us for welcoming them and making a Christian education available to their family so that their children can work hard and become good people.

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3rd grade student whose father had unexpected health issues:
Academically (Student) is thriving - sets high standards for herself and achieves them. She is curious, a good problem solver, self-advocates for her needs and honors her classmates with excellent behavior. She has a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. She is a great friend, liked by all, and works well in groups. She is flexible when needed but utilizes leadership skills when called upon to do so. She often expresses a love for music and dance as well as time with her family, but would be reading every minute of the day if it were allowed! This family is fully committed to Christian education, one that points their children to the Savior of their souls, but also the One in Whom all things hold together. Their daughter grasps this great love of Jesus and is full of trust in His plan. She knows His Word and is learning to apply it to all of life's circumstances - even the difficult, confusing ones. She is a capable learner with a warm heart, and it is a true gift to receive this scholarship to bring daily consistency to the development of her world and life view.

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1st grade student of a single mother:
(Student) is soaring!  She's a bright, creative, kind young lady.  She has been recognized during our chapel for positive student behavior this year and is known in her classroom as a reliable and thoughtful classmate. (Student) would not be able to attend a Christian school without the SLB scholarship, and her mother desperately wants her to be in a Christian school.  Jesus is very important to this family, and they really credit their faith in Christ for getting them through some very difficult times. We are truly grateful for all that your family does to support children - and what a legacy you are passing on from Stacie… You are supporting a family who is truly so grateful and blessed by your generosity!

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1st grade student whose family experienced an unexpected illness:
Academically, (Student) is at the top of the class. Socially, he has many friends and cares for his class. His favorite thing to do outside of school is LEGOs! While school is not hard for him in the academic sense, felt safety is a must. He feels very safe at (school) and it gives an environment to thrive in. When he feels scared or upset about his father's illness, he has a safe place to land that points him back to our Savior who is caring for him even through hard times.

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Kindergarten student whose family has experienced financial hardship:
(Student) is doing well academically. According to his teacher, “(Student) is progressing so well this year academically; he works hard in class and he is very helpful as well.” The SLB scholarship has benefitted the family and (Student) tremendously, because it allowed the family the opportunity to keep all 3 of their children at our school. (Student) enjoys being here, being with his two older brothers. The family often attends church activities outside of school, which is a testament to coming to our school.

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Pre-K student with Down Syndrome who requires a paraprofessional:
(Student) is one of three siblings enrolled at our school and the parents are missionaries. As (Student) has Down Syndrome, the family is also faced with medical bills supporting therapy and services. To allow (Student) to attend a private school, she needs a paraprofessional with her providing social-emotional and educational support.  She has an additional tuition amount to support this position. We encouraged (Student)’s parents to give her one more year in preschool to have more time to develop her speech, motor and social-emotional skills. While (Student) will continue to need extra support in these areas and her academics, this year is providing her with some additional time for growth. And we are seeing that. We see her talking more with classmates and staff, interacting more, and we have seen her grow academically. Her paraprofessional is teaching (Student) skills in ways that work for children with Down Syndrome.