Priscilla and Clay Fryers’ relationship with Denver dual-language school Escuela de Guadalupe began with a joyful nudge from their son, Jesuit priest Fr. Marcus Fryer. He was volunteering at the school and called home brimming with enthusiasm. “When a priest tells you what to do, and that priest is your son, you step up!” Priscilla says, laughing. They answered by making a first gift during a matching campaign.
After that, they sought ways to better understand the school’s mission and impact. So, they decided to see Escuela firsthand.
On their first visit, then-President Michelle Galuszka and then-Director of Development Natalie Hopper welcomed them into classrooms alive with a Catholic, dual-language program.
“We were touched by the stories of the students and their families,” Priscilla recalls. “It felt warm the moment we walked in—like we were already part of something very special.”
For the Fryers, the “why” is rooted in faith and family. Priscilla is a cradle Catholic; Clay is a convert, a journey that began with a young Marcus asking why Dad wasn’t joining Mom for Communion. Years later, both Priscilla and Clay now find ways to put their shared faith into action.
Education that Opens Doors
The Fryers describe their philanthropy simply: help excellent schools open doors for students who have fewer opportunities.
“I read a quote by the President of Dallas Federal Reserve Regional Bank stating that, “Not everyone shares fully in the benefits of economic growth,” Clay notes. “Education is how they can benefit – how we break the cycle of poverty.”
Priscilla adds, “They’re just as sharp as all the rest of us—or more. They just need a chance and a leg up.”
Given their passion for education, faith, excellence and self-determination, Escuela de Guadalupe feels like a perfect fit for the Fryers.
“When a family chooses a school like this, they’re saying, ‘We’re willing to work,’” Priscilla says. “We want to support that.”
The dual-language model clinched it for them—forming bilingual, multicultural students who are ready for rigorous high schools and, later, for leadership in the wider community.
Continuity, Connection, and Confidence
Leadership transitions can strain relationships, and the Fryers worried when Galuszka and Hopper left the school. (Both women chose to spend more time with their families.) But the Fryers’ concern was short-lived.
When Nicky Freeburg, Ed.D., became President and Caroline Balcavage stepped in as Director of Development, the Fryers discovered new, equally special relationships. They already knew Nicky from her Arrupe Jesuit days, and Caroline’s thoughtful, personalized outreach only deepened their trust.
“At one point, we reached out and asked if they had any families in need. Caroline’s response was so thorough and thoughtful. You could tell she understood the families and the needs,” Clay says. “That kind of response and passion makes you want to give again.”
Ask the Fryers why Escuela deserves support, and the answer weaves together everything they’ve seen and believe: a Catholic community that truly welcomes; a dual-language program that raises expectations and outcomes; committed families showing their willingness to work; and a leadership team that makes donors feel known and needed. What began with a son’s joyful nudge continues because Escuela makes it easy to believe in what’s possible.
