Marion Elementary School in Belle Vernon, PA became involved with LLS in 2009 and their coordinator Ms. Bernadette Sokol took the campaign under her wing and it quickly became one of her favorites. Sadly, Bernadette passed away in January due to complications she had after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in September.

To honor her, they set an aggressive goal to become the top school in the Western PA & West Virginia Chapter. They set their goal at $20,000. With the help of their entire community in Belle Vernon, PA they quickly got there. They then had a new goal, to reach $25,000 and connect their school and Bernadette with an LLS funded research portfolio. They rallied and far exceeded all of their expectations.

They not only became the top school in the Western PA & West Virginia Chapter, but they ranked 5th nationally. They couldn’t be more excited to honor their beloved teacher in such an amazing way.