Send LeighAnna from Akron to Oxford

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

I’m reaching out today with a heart full of pride, hope, and a bit of vulnerability. My youngest daughter, LeighAnna Thomas, has been given a life-changing opportunity, one of only 130 students in the world accepted to attend a prestigious summer study abroad program at Oxford University in the UK.

Yes, Oxford—a dream that once felt impossibly distant, is now suddenly within reach.

She’s always been a determined and passionate learner, the kind of student who stays up late perfecting essays, who volunteers to tutor younger kids in our community, who lights up when talking about psychology, literature, and the world beyond her own. Her teachers often describe her as a “once-in-a-generation” student—not just because of her academics, but because of her heart.

Being accepted into this program wasn’t easy. The selection process was rigorous, global, and incredibly competitive. But she did it! Our daughter, from small town Akron, Ohio, was chosen to walk the same halls as some of the brightest minds in history.

This isn’t just a summer program. It’s a door—a gateway into something greater than we ever imagined. For her, it’s about more than studying abroad. It’s about seeing herself in spaces that historically weren’t built for youth like her. It’s about rewriting what’s possible.

But here’s where we humbly need your help.

The cost of the program—including tuition, travel, housing, meals, and academic materials—is more than our family can afford on our own. As much as we’ve tried to prepare, life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges, and right now, we’re just not in the position to fully fund this journey ourselves.

The total cost is $15,000, and every single dollar raised will go directly toward covering the essentials that will make this dream a reality.

We’re not just asking you to fund a trip—we’re asking you to invest in a young woman’s future. Someone who wants to come back and give tenfold to her community, who sees education as a responsibility, not just a privilege. Someone who, given the chance, will make a difference.

Even if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign means the world to us. Every gesture of support—no matter how small—is a step closer to Oxford.

Thank you for believing in her, and in dreams that dare to reach beyond borders.

With deep gratitude,

The Thomas Family