Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship

The Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship has been established by the family and friends of Leslie Newland Thomas who passed away in 2006. This scholarship fund will benefit students who attend Wellsville High School. Preference will be given to those who are pursuing a degree in Music Education and/or Teaching; have a commitment to the community and helping those in need through volunteerism; and those who are involved in music activities within their school and/or community.

Leslie Newland Thomas was born in 1962 in Rochester, New York; but grew up in Wellsville, New York. Leslie attended Wellsville Central School, graduating in 1981. She played bass in the Wellsville High School orchestra and her love of music became firmly grounded within those walls. She attended college in Potsdam, then graduated from Bowie State College.

Leslie began teaching at Thomas G Pullen School for the Creative Arts Maryland, inheriting a strings program that had five teachers in 10 years. During her tenure there, she elevated its profile and student participation in the strings program and added a second orchestra.   She inspired hundreds of Prince George’s County students into a love of classical music. Under Leslie’s direction, Pullen’s young musicians regularly took top awards at local, state and regional music competitions. In addition to her teaching, she volunteered for many organizations and was on a board at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Leslie loved music, reading, gardening and spending time with her family including her husband Brian and two daughters, Cassidy and Jamie. She was talented, creative, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She had a great passion for her work and family.

If you would like to support this fund, please visit http://alleganycountyareafoundation.org/make-a-donation to make a donation. If you would like more information on how you can create a scholarship fund or a community grant fund to honor a loved one, please contact the Allegany County Area Foundation at 585-808-8444 or send an e-mail to: director@alleganycountyareafoundation.org.