17th Annual Leslie George Memorial Scholarship Walk/Run

Every year, Blessed Sacrament School honors the memory of former student Leslie George by holding our Annual Leslie George Memorial Scholarship Walk/Run. This past Friday, members of our school and parish community participated in our run/walk in memory of Leslie. We gathered in the school gym for the opening ceremony and scholarship announcement. Immediately following, the eighth-grade students led an hour-long run/walk around the school parking lot to raise awareness and pay tribute to Leslie’s struggle with an eating disorder. For those who have not participated in this annual Blessed Sacrament event, here is Leslie’s story:

Leslie was a lifelong resident of Alexandria and graduated from Blessed Sacrament School in 1995. She went on to attend Bishop Ireton High School (Class of 1999), and then pursued her college degree at James Madison University. On September 29, 2000 at the age of 19, Leslie George died as a result of an eating disorder. She battled anorexia and bulimia for four years.

After Leslie’s death, Blessed Sacrament School and the George Family set up a scholarship fund to honor her memory and bring awareness to the struggle of those who suffer from eating disorders. The funds are used for two things: to award a partial scholarship to a seventh-grade student to defray the cost of their eighth-grade year and for an annual donation in Leslie’s memory to an organization aimed at assisting all those who are affected with eating disorders.

For 2019, two students were selected by the BSS faculty to receive the Leslie George Scholarship. These students exemplify the values that we hold at Blessed Sacrament. They work hard to succeed academically, persevering through difficulties. They serve Christ and one another by always being ready and willing to lend a helping hand. They treat their classmates and teachers with integrity and respect, and they spend time in prayer, deepening their relationship with God. They do all of this while pursuing a healthy lifestyle — eating healthy foods, getting a good rest each night, exercising, and taking care of their mental health. We are pleased to count these two students among our many blessings!

In order to sustain our ability to award scholarships and make donations, the Leslie George Memorial Fund needs to continue to grow.  Please submit any donations in memory of Leslie with checks made payable to BSS, to the school office.