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Leah DiFranco

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Basketball
  • Bible Study
  • Travel And Tourism
  • Board Games And Puzzles
  • Pickleball
  • Golf

Reading

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Bio

Growing up, basketball shaped my routine, friendships, and drive. Eventually, passion became pressure, and I stepped away. That’s when I discovered golf. For the past four years, it’s taught me patience, discipline, and resilience, and I now share it by teaching kids, one of my most rewarding experiences. Family is central to who I am with three older brothers and 18 cousins. Summers are full of travel, 43 states covered and much of Europe, where I’ve learned to appreciate different cultures and cherish family traditions. Each year, I also return to Kanakuk, a Christian sports camp, where I reconnect with my faith, play sports, and grow alongside new friends. These are all things I'm passionate about. At home, I stay busy with school, sports, and volunteering in Best Buddies and Unified Sports, celebrating students with special needs. I love spending time with people I care about, whether at a concert, grabbing coffee with friends, or laughing through a rerun of The Office. I plan to pursue a business degree, combining leadership, problem-solving, and creativity while making a positive impact on communities. I value relationships, faith, and experiences, and this scholarship would help me continue pursuing my entrepreneurial passions while building a future where I can make a difference.

Education

Midview High School

High School

2012 – 2026

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Golf Course Client Services Attendant

    Facilities Services · Pinebrook Golf Course

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2024

  • Customer Service

    Consumer Services · Rita's Italian Ice

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • Head Umpire

    Sports · Midview Grafton Hot Stove Baseball & Softball

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Sports
Dream career goals:
entrepreneur
Work experience:
6 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Scott A. Ross Memorial Golf Scholarship
An experience that has profoundly shaped my development was my transition from basketball to golf. For most of my life, basketball had been the driving force, the sport where I thought my future would lie. After four knocked-out teeth, two scratched corneas, a dislocated kneecap, and a broken wrist, basketball had left its mark on me in more ways than one. Initially, golf was just a fun way to take a break from the intensity of basketball. What started as a lighthearted distraction quickly became something I loved. It did not feel like a replacement anymore. Golf became my passion. My favorite part of playing golf is the way it challenges me to slow down and focus on the present moment. On the course, every swing, every decision, and every opportunity to improve requires patience, attention, and composure. This focus on the next shot has taught me to apply the same mindset to life. I have learned that growth is rarely linear. You can hit the best shot of your life and then miss an easy putt right after. What matters is how you respond. Golf has become a space where I can reflect, build confidence, and become a better version of myself. It has shaped my character by teaching me patience, resilience, and the value of consistent effort. Golf has also shown me the importance of connection and community. Relationships naturally form on the course through shared experiences and conversations. These connections have taught me to appreciate collaboration, empathy, and learning from others. In many ways, the lessons I have learned through golf extend far beyond athletics. They guide how I approach academics, leadership roles, and service to my community. While golf has been a positive force in my life, I have also faced significant challenges that tested my character. The most defining obstacles of my school years came through sudden loss and medical challenges in my family. My grandfather passed away from sudden cardiac death at 53. Years later, my uncle Troy, my first basketball coach and one of my greatest influences, died the same way at 48. These losses shattered my sense of stability and forced my family into a reality shaped by grief, fear, and unanswered questions. Extensive cardiac testing followed, and eventually my dad underwent open-heart surgery. Witnessing a parent face major surgery as a teenager forced me to mature quickly. I learned that strength often appears quietly, in moments when you do not feel strong at all. Instead of shutting down, I leaned in. I committed myself to school, sports, and service, not as an escape, but as a way to stay grounded when life felt uncertain. These commitments gave me structure and purpose and helped me navigate grief with intention. Experiencing sudden loss taught me to live intentionally, prioritize what matters, and approach challenges with resilience. I cannot control life’s unpredictability, but I can control how I respond. That mindset has carried into everything I do. Transitioning from basketball to golf not only introduced me to new opportunities but also reshaped who I am. Golf has taught me patience, focus, and resilience, while my personal challenges have strengthened my ability to persevere through adversity. Together, they have shaped me into someone who approaches life with purpose, empathy, and determination. The lessons I have learned on and off the course will continue to guide me as I build my future, face new challenges, and seek to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Student Referee Scholarship
One of my favorite memories as a baseball umpire began with a lot of nerves and frustration. It was a last-minute surprise at my first game, and I was assigned to work alongside my older brother, Drew. He is two years older than me and had already been umpiring since he was twelve. I looked up to him, not just because he had more experience, but because he carried himself with confidence. That afternoon at the Grafton Hot Stove fields, I was excited but anxious, expecting to ease into the job by working the bases. Instead, just minutes before game time, Drew casually informed me that I'd be working behind the plate. My stomach dropped. Behind the plate is where every call matters. Balls and strikes, close plays at home, and constant attention from coaches and parents all fall on that umpire. The entire game could be determined by my umpiring, and I didn’t think I was ready for that power. I was already nervous, and now I felt completely overwhelmed and, honestly, inadequate. I was frustrated with Drew for putting me in that position without warning. It felt unfair. I thought my older brother, who had a few years of experience, would work the plate, not me. I questioned whether I was ready and worried about embarrassing myself. The first inning was a blur. Every pitch seemed faster than I remembered from practice. My voice felt shaky as I called the count. I was hyperaware of the crowd behind the backstop. But as the game went on, something shifted. I began to trust my instincts. The ball started to slow down, and I could focus on each pitch instead of the noise around me. I realized that the only way to gain confidence was to step directly into the challenge. After the game, I understood what Drew had done. He had not thrown me into the deep end to embarrass me. He had done it because he believed I could handle it. I was still annoyed at the surprise, but I also felt proud. That experience taught me a lesson my mom often reminds me of: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” At the time, I didn't appreciate the discomfort. Later, I realized it was the very thing that allowed growth. Officiating sports has played a significant role in shaping my character. As an umpire, I have learned accountability. Every call I make is mine alone, and I must stand by it with confidence and integrity. I have developed resilience, especially when dealing with criticism. I have learned to stay calm under pressure and to treat everyone with respect, even in tense situations. Those qualities translate beyond the fields. Umpiring also strengthened my leadership skills. I help set the tone for the game. Players and coaches look to officials for fairness and consistency. Working with partners has taught me the importance of communication and teamwork. I have learned how to give and receive feedback constructively. Although I don't plan to continue umpiring long-term, the lessons I learned behind the plate will shape my future as a coach. I hope to coach sports throughout my life. My experience as an official has given me a deeper appreciation for fairness and composure. As a coach, I want to create an environment where players feel challenged but supported and confident enough to step outside their comfort zones. Just as my brother pushed me into an uncomfortable moment that led to growth, I hope to encourage my athletes to embrace challenges and discover strengths they didn’t know they had.
Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, sports shaped nearly every part of my life. For years, basketball was my world. It structured my schedule, demanded discipline, and pushed me to lead. Eventually, what once felt like passion began to feel like pressure, and I made the difficult decision not to continue in college. Walking away wasn’t easy, but it opened the door to something new. Four years ago, I picked up a golf club and discovered a different kind of challenge. Golf has taught me patience and self-accountability in ways basketball never did. Even more meaningful, it has given me the chance to give back. I now volunteer teaching young children how to golf, and nothing compares to watching their confidence grow as they learn. Sharing a sport I love has strengthened my desire to invest in others. Service has become central to who I am. Through Unified Sports and Best Buddies, I have worked to create inclusive opportunities for students with physical and developmental disabilities. Too often, these students experience social isolation or limited opportunities to participate alongside their peers. Unified Sports allowed me to compete side by side with students of all abilities, celebrating every accomplishment together. Since my freshman year, the program in Northern Ohio has grown from four teams to more than twenty-five. Being part of that growth showed me how powerful inclusion can be when people intentionally create space for everyone. Best Buddies has deepened that impact by allowing me to build one-on-one friendships and help organize events that foster belonging. These experiences reshaped my understanding of leadership. I have learned that leadership is not about recognition but about service, advocacy, and ensuring others feel seen and valued. My commitment to protecting young people extends beyond physical spaces into the digital world. Technology connects us instantly, but it also creates opportunities for harm. Cyberbullying is especially damaging because it follows students everywhere and spreads quickly. While it may not be eliminated entirely, I believe its impact can be reduced through education and intentional kindness. That means promoting digital responsibility, encouraging students to think before they post, and teaching them to stand up for others when negativity appears online. Sometimes stopping harm is as simple as refusing to share a hurtful post or checking in on someone who seems withdrawn. Creating safe environments, both in person and online, begins with empathy and the belief that every student belongs. Family and faith ground everything I do. I come from a large, close-knit family with three older brothers and many cousins who feel like siblings. My parents, both public school teachers for 27 years, have modeled sacrifice and hard work. Although they set aside college funds for all four of their children, with two of us in college at the same time, the savings will not cover the full cost. I expect to be responsible for approximately $155,000 of my education. I am grateful for what my parents can provide, but I understand much of the responsibility will fall on me. Because of this, I have worked since I was twelve, beginning as a youth sports umpire and continuing at a golf course and an ice cream shop. Balancing work with academics, athletics, and service has strengthened my discipline and resilience. I plan to continue working throughout college, and scholarships will significantly reduce the loans I need to take on. As I pursue a degree in business, I hope to combine leadership with service to positively impact communities and continue creating spaces where people feel included and valued.
Padriac Routa Memorial Scholarship
Winner
As soon as I see a problem, I immediately begin to imagine solutions. This is not because I feel pressure to innovate or solve everything, but because I know one of those ideas can spark real change. Creativity and entrepreneurship have always been the ways I make sense of the world. As I’ve grown up, I’ve come to realize that the most meaningful ideas are the ones that are going to benefit other people, especially those who feel overlooked. This belief has shaped who I am today and who I want to continue to be in the future. My biggest dream is to create a nonprofit organization focused on supporting families who are struggling with the emotional and financial burdens of major health issues or crises. This goal is personal to me after losing two young family members to sudden cardiac death. This made me hyper aware of how fragile life is and how desperately people need help that isn’t available. Watching the people I love have to focus on struggles that shouldn’t even be on their mind gave me a purpose. I want to build something that makes even the worst experiences feel a little less isolating for others. A nonprofit organization could accomplish all of that and more. It would not be just another organization; it would be a commitment to show up for other people when they’re at their lowest. But I don’t want to wait to start making a positive change in the world until sometime in the distant future. I’ve already begun using creativity and entrepreneurship to contribute now. Last year, I developed an app designed to improve student attendance at all school-sanctioned events. I noticed how sports like football and basketball would get a big turnout of students, but then I would go to an art show or drama production and no one would show up. I thought it was important to support our fellow classmates in all activities, which is why I created the reward-based app for students who support each other. After troubleshooting and launching a few tester apps, I was finally able to launch the app district-wide. Over the next year, we saw over a 23% increase in student attendance at all school-sanctioned events. Despite the difficult designing process, this experience taught me that entrepreneurship can be successful even without all the answers. You just have to put in the time and effort and be willing to adapt. With this mindset, anyone can be a successful entrepreneur. Creating this app was a prime example that innovation can start anywhere. In my case, it was one student with one crazy idea. It also made me come to the realization of how much I enjoy building resources that serve a community. I want to carry this mindset into my future career in business. I’ll be able to pair the strategic knowledge I’ll gain in college with the passion I already have for creating helpful solutions. Whether I’m creating a nonprofit or designing a new technology, I want my work to make other people feel supported. Overall, I know I can make a difference in this world by combining my compassion with creativity. Pursuing entrepreneurship gives me the freedom to imagine what could exist to make this world the best it can be. I know I’ve done something meaningful if I can use my ideas to support others. This is the impact I want to spend my life creating.
PrimePutt Putting Mat Scholarship for Women Golfers
Growing up surrounded by sports, my love for athletics was woven into the fabric of my everyday life. With three older brothers, our family schedule revolved around practices, games, and tournaments. My dad coached everything he could—football, baseball, basketball, golf, and track—so I spent countless hours on the sidelines, watching, learning, and absorbing. Those early experiences planted the seeds of my own passion for sports, even before I fully understood what it meant to be an athlete. I never stayed on the sidelines for long. From a young age, I was determined to be part of the action, whether tugging on jerseys too big for me, carrying golf clubs heavier than I was, or running across fields as if I belonged. I was often the only girl in the mix—on flag football fields or the golf course—and while that came with stares and skepticism, it never shook my confidence. Sports became a place where I learned to be brave, take up space, and trust myself, even when others weren’t expecting me to belong. When I discovered golf, it became my favorite sport almost immediately. Unlike the fast-paced chaos of team sports, golf demanded patience, focus, and mental toughness. Every shot is different, every course presents new challenges, and each round tests more than just physical skill—it tests resilience, strategy, and the ability to bounce back after mistakes. Golf taught me that even after a double bogey, a birdie could be just around the corner. That lesson has carried into my life beyond the course: mistakes are not failures, but opportunities to grow. Being a female golfer has presented unique challenges. I have faced moments when my abilities were underestimated simply because I play from the closer tees. While the distance adjustment is meant to level the playing field, it sometimes led to criticism or less recognition for impressive scores compared to the boys. Learning to accept this, focus on my personal growth, and continue to challenge myself despite external opinions has strengthened both my game and my character. Competing in male-dominated spaces has taught me perseverance, confidence, and the importance of representing other young women who aspire to compete at the highest level. The PrimePutt Putting Mat Scholarship for Women Golfers represents more than financial assistance—it’s an opportunity to continue growing in a sport that has shaped my life and built my resilience. With this support, I can focus on honing my skills, pursuing my studies, and setting an example for other female golfers who may one day follow in my footsteps. Thank you for helping students like me turn passion and perseverance into a brighter future.
Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, my love for sports wasn’t something I stumbled into by chance, it was woven into the fabric of my everyday life before I even understood what it meant to be an athlete. With three older brothers who played every sport under the sun, our family schedule revolved around practices, games, and tournaments. My dad coached anything he could: football, baseball, basketball, golf, or track. That meant my childhood was spent on the sidelines of fields and courts, bundled up in blankets on cold mornings or sweating under summer heat, but always watching, studying, absorbing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those hours spent observing my brothers compete planted the earliest seeds of my own relationship with sports. However, I never stayed on the sidelines for long. The moment I could walk-maybe even before that, according to my family, I was trying to join in. I tugged on jerseys too big for me, carried around golf clubs when the bag weighed more than me, and ran across fields as if I belonged there. It didn’t matter if I was the only girl on an all-boys flag football team or if people looked twice when they saw a five year old on the putting green. I felt at home. Some of my favorite memories are of sitting on my dad’s shoulders as he coached first base, feeling tall and important even though I was too young to fully understand what was happening. Sports weren’t just games to me; they were where I first learned how to be brave, how to take up space, and how to trust myself in a world that didn’t always expect girls to fit in athletic spaces. As I got older and started playing competitively, my understanding of sports deepened. They became more than routines or hobbies, they became the foundation of my character, my resilience, and my sense of purpose. Every practice, every game, every challenge shaped me in ways that reached far beyond the course or field. Competitive sports taught me that you don’t just show up for yourself. You show up for the people who count on you. As soon as I started playing golf quickly became my favorite way to spend my time. It was different from any other sport I had ever played. It was a slow, quiet, and individual sport that was more mentally challenging than physical. All these difficult aspects to golf are what drew me in so quickly. There was always something new in golf because you never have the same shot. Each lie is always going to be a little different than before. All of these concepts can be easily applied to life in general. Each hole is just like a new stage of life. You can’t re hit a shot, much like you can’t go back in the past and change a decision. Golf gave me a new perspective on life because you may have just double-bogeyed the last hole but you never know when a birdie is coming. The Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship represents more than just financial assistance, it symbolizes hope and opportunity. By easing part of this burden, the scholarship would allow me to focus more on my studies and personal growth, and less on the financial stress that so many students quietly carry. With your support, I can continue my education and work toward a future where I can give back. Thank you for considering my application and for helping students like me turn courage into a future.
Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, sports have been at the center of my life. Basketball shaped my childhood, teaching me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Even when I eventually stepped away due to burnout, that foundation prepared me to discover a new passion—golf. Over the past four years, golf has challenged me to be patient, resilient, and focused. Beyond personal growth, it has also become a way for me to give back: I volunteer teaching young children how to play golf, sharing the lessons and joy the sport has given me. Helping these kids develop skills, confidence, and a love for the game has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Watching them achieve milestones, even small ones, reminds me that progress is just as important as talent and that encouragement can make all the difference. Sports are not the only way I engage with my community. I actively participate in Best Buddies and Unified Sports, programs that provide opportunities for students with special needs to be included, celebrated, and empowered. Whether I’m competing alongside them or organizing activities, I strive to create an environment where every participant feels valued. Volunteering in these programs has taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of service—values I carry into every area of my life. These experiences have also strengthened my ability to communicate and adapt, as each participant brings unique perspectives and abilities, reminding me that leadership is about understanding and uplifting everyone. Family and faith have also guided my commitment to service and community. Summers at Kanakuk, a Christian sports camp, allow me to grow as a leader while mentoring younger campers through sports and faith-based activities. Traveling extensively with my family has given me perspective, gratitude, and an appreciation for diverse communities, which inspires me to contribute positively wherever I go. Through both faith and family, I’ve learned that service is not just an action—it’s a mindset, one that shapes how I approach challenges, relationships, and opportunities for impact. Looking forward, I plan to pursue a degree in business, combining leadership, problem-solving, and creativity with a focus on serving people and communities. I want to use the skills I’ve honed through sports, volunteering, and mentoring to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, whether through community initiatives or professional leadership. I hope to develop programs or initiatives that give others the same opportunities I’ve had to learn, grow, and feel included. I am proud to be considered for the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship because I have consistently sought ways to lead, serve, and uplift others through sports, volunteering, and faith. From teaching golf to children, to supporting peers with special needs, to mentoring younger campers, I have committed myself to fostering inclusion, growth, and opportunity for those around me. This scholarship would allow me to continue developing these passions and make an even greater impact in my community and beyond, inspiring others to lead with empathy and purpose. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would also provide me with the resources and support to further develop my leadership, service, and academic goals. It would allow me to pursue opportunities—such as leadership programs, community initiatives, and mentorship experiences—that would enhance my ability to make a meaningful impact on those around me. Beyond financial support, this scholarship represents recognition of my commitment to serving others, which would motivate me to continue striving for excellence in both my studies and community involvement. With this foundation, I could more effectively turn my passion for helping others into tangible, long-term contributions in my future career and community.
Leah DiFranco Student Profile | Bold.org