It all started with Sara
Sara was in love with the world. We were all in love with her.
Written by Teens to Trails founder, and Sara’s mother, Carol Leone:
Sara Leone was in love with life – always that beautiful smile on her face and always in the middle of the action. It would brighten your day just to be around her. Her sense of humor was both clever & contagious. She had a way of putting you at ease with her laugh and her ability to make fun of herself.
But, behind her devilish smile was a strong determination – striving to do her best at whatever she tackled. Her small size never kept her down. She approached the challenges of each day not just with intensity, but humility.
Sara was a leader by example. She did not work to put herself first, but chose instead to include everyone – hoping to bring everyone along together. She was a great teammate and companion, caring and giving, friendly to all and a good friend to many.
Sara's love of the outdoors played a key role in the person she became. Perhaps that is where her curiosity and keen self-awareness first took root. From her many outdoor experiences, she grew comfortable with herself and her place in the world. It gave her an unstoppable self-confidence that drove her to work hard, to play hard, and to achieve. The way she explored the natural world became the manner in which she led her life – with passion and compassion.
In July 2005, Sara tragically died in a car accident. To honor Sara’s memory, her love of the outdoors, and to offer a way for students of Sara’s age to have access to enriching outdoor experiences, her parents, Carol and Bob Leone, founded Teens to Trails.
Inspired by the effectiveness of the Wiscasset Outing Club, of which Sara was an active member, Teens To Trails promotes high school Outing Clubs as a vehicle for providing opportunities for teens to have safe access to healthy outdoor adventures with their peers. Outing Clubs bring students of all backgrounds and levels of experience together in the spirit of adventure, support and community.
