Earned, Not Given: Two Sisters’ Journey to Fight for School Choice in Montana

Ilena and Meleana Levitt didn’t just talk about school choice—they lived it. When their father became a fully disabled veteran and their family could no longer afford private school, these two Montana sisters made a bold and uncommon decision: they worked nearly full-time jobs as teenagers to pay for the education they believed in. It wasn’t easy—but it was worth it. Now, as young adults, they’re turning their personal story into public advocacy, fighting to expand school choice in Montana so that no student has to sacrifice like they did just to access the education that fits them best. In this episode of American Potential , host David From sits down with Ilena and Meleana to discuss what classical education taught them, how their family rallied behind them, and why school choice policies—like education savings accounts—are a game-changer for families who just want the freedom to choose what’s best for their kids. Their story is a testament to hard work, personal agency, and the power of policy to open doors for the next generation. School choice isn’t a theory for these sisters—it’s the reason they’re thriving. This is the kind of potential that gets unlocked when families—not systems—are put first.