Building Confidence, Finding Purpose: Riley’s Dream to Give Back

Riley is a proud graduate of Archbishop Chapelle High School in Metairie, Louisiana, a place she describes as "five unforgettable years that shaped both my confidence and my dreams."

"I just loved all five years at Chapelle," Riley says with a smile. "It was definitely an experience that I love looking back on. Having so many friends and the environment of the school itself, it just sticks with me."

For Riley, Chapelle was more than a school. It was a place filled with laughter in the halls, lifelong friendships, and teachers who believed in her potential. She graduated with honors in 2023, earning a letter in community service while volunteering with the Humane Society, a local food pantry, and Delivering Hope NOLA, where she helped create care packages for NICU families.

"Community service is important to me because I'm able to help others in small acts that make a big difference to them," she says.

That same heart for service and curiosity for the world around her earned Riley the title of Arete Scholars' 2023 Graduate of the Year, a recognition of her excellence, determination, and leadership.

Now a junior at Southeastern Louisiana University, Riley is majoring in history and diving deeper into her lifelong passion for learning. Her goal? To follow in the footsteps of the teachers who inspired her.

"My essential goal is to graduate with my bachelor's and teach at Chapelle for a little bit," she explains. "Eventually, I want to get my master's and then my doctorate and teach at the college level."

Her calling to teach was shaped by the mentors who walked beside her at Chapelle. "I was close with a lot of my teachers, and I want to be able to give that back," she says. "I want my students to know they always have a teacher who is there for them, someone they can go to with anything."

She still remembers the teachers who changed her life, from her world geography teacher who encouraged her to pursue honors classes, to the Western Civilizations teacher who kick-started her teaching dream.

College has brought new growth and confidence to Riley as well. In 2023, she joined a sorority, something she never expected but now treasures deeply. "Coming from an all-girls school, I was used to a sisterhood. Joining a sorority has been one of the best decisions I've made," she says. "Chapelle gave me a confidence boost I didn't know I needed."

As she continues her studies, Riley's love of history only deepens. "My classes this year are very specific," she says. "A lot of them focus on certain timelines and events, and I'm really enjoying them."

Looking back, Riley credits both Chapelle and Arete Scholars for shaping her journey. "Without Arete, I don't think Chapelle would have been possible," she says. "Being able to go to that school helped shape me in so many ways and gave me an idea of what I want to do after graduation. It was a huge impact."

Now, as an alumna, Riley values the broader Arete community even more. At a recent Arete event, she connected with current students and found instant common ground. "It's just this community of people who want to see you succeed," she says. "To have that kind of backbone is really neat."

Her message to current Arete Scholars is simple but heartfelt: "Just keep going. You have people who are always there for you."

And to the donors and partners who make opportunities like hers possible, she offers sincere gratitude: "By supporting Arete, you're supporting so many students who get wonderful chances that can affect their lives in such a positive way. Without Chapelle, I don't think I'd be on track to be a teacher and help our future."

When asked to describe Arete in one word, Riley doesn't hesitate long. Her answer is short, but it carries weight.

"Caring," she says. "They really care so much about you, your academics, and your future."

Riley's story of purpose, perseverance, and gratitude is proof that when students are given opportunity, encouragement, and community, excellence naturally follows.