FACE OF THE FUND:
LEONARDO & EZEKIAL MUÑOZ
by Ms. Melissa Bride – Director of Advancement,
The San Miguel School, Providence RI
In September of 2019, Leonardo and Ezekiel Muñoz walked into The San Miguel School of Providence as shy, nervous 5th graders. Twins of amazing, hard-working parents, Leo and Zeke immediately established themselves as leaders in the school. They were chosen often to lead special visitors on tours of the school, they starred in several of our promotional videos, and they were always seen helping the teachers with whatever needed to be done. Always kind, respectful and caring, the twins always looked out for their younger “brothers”.
Eva Muñoz, their mom, reflected on the impact the school has had on the twins, particularly on Leo. In elementary school Leo had poor grades, did not pay attention in class, and was constantly being called out by his teachers for distracting others. Soon his mom noticed a change in him—his grades improved, he was confident talking with adults, and he was less distracted. Quickly we discovered his incredible talent in art. He also tried soccer, becoming goalie and captain by his 8th grade year. Zeke had always been more studious, according to his mom, and he was much more reserved than Leo. But he, too, thrived in the new environment and quickly embodied all the qualities of a Miguel Man, doing the right thing even when no one was looking.
When asked what she and her husband valued most about the boys receiving a San Miguel education, it was that they “learned to value the more important things in life like family and nature, not material things like clothing brands or money.” The Muñoz family is deeply religious and Leo and Zeke’s parents felt like the school’s values resonated with their family’s values. The Muñoz twins were fortunate recipients of scholarship support from The St. John Baptist de La Salle Fund during all four of their years at San Miguel, where they flourished and grew. We are certain they have a bright future ahead.
THE ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE FUND seeks to ensure that a Lasallian education is available and accessible to those students most in need. Through an initial program of student sponsorship and a growing program of grants to identified schools, the Fund provides tuition assistance for students to attend a Lasallian school. With your support, we are now providing more than $ 1 million annually for our students in need. All are welcome to join the Brothers and their Partners-in-Mission in this specially dedicated scholarship fund which continues to grow each year.