2021 Women's Empowerment Scholarship Recipient

Leanna has known from a young age that she would not let glass ceilings and gender roles hold her back. A dedicated student, Leanna graduated twelfth in her class from Monson High School, where she balanced honors and AP classes with dual enrollment at Springfield Community Technical College.

Throughout high school, Leanna’s leadership skills shone through. She was invited to the National Honor Society and awarded the Most Outstanding Work Based Learning Student Award in 2021, given to an exemplary student in the Work Based Learning Program. She was the MHS Girls Varsity Soccer Manager for two years and has been an active volunteer for the Monson Military Care Pack Drive since 2015. Leanna also gave back to younger students, tutoring and supporting students in first through sixth grades as an intern at Granite Valley Middle School in Monson.

As a first-generation college student, Leanna places tremendous value on her education and challenging herself beyond her comfort zone. She aspires to enter the male-dominated criminal justice field, where she hopes to make a difference in her community and the world.

To gain meaningful experience in her desired field, Leanna began interning with Geoff Farrington, an attorney at Bohnet Romani & Farrington, PA, who provides counsel to clients in personal injury, bankruptcy, civil litigation, criminal law, and other matters. She drafts legal correspondence, sits in on current trail proceedings, and contributes to trial preparation. Leanna will be attending the University of Rhode Island where she intends to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She hopes to use her education to inspire young women to dive into male-dominated career paths and to dissuade others from being intimidated by gender stereotypes.

We are proud to award Leanna a $500 scholarship to contribute to her continued education!