Foxcroft School students were recently honored for their stunning support and impressive fundraising on behalf of the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation (CBBCF) at the first annual Cherry Blossom Champion award dinner. Susan T. Carroll of Leesburg and Inova Hospital was also honored as a "Cherry Blossom Champion" at the Creighton Farms Clubhouse event.

CBBCF Board member Sandy Atkins praised Foxcroft not only for creating the Foundation's main fundraiser, Nanette's Walk, with its numbers and enthusiasm, but also for all the money raised, and for the School's commitment to teaching and practicing community service.

"These 156 girls have raised, in this school year alone, $10,000," said Atkins. "This is an amazing gift for a school of this size and certainly we will put it to good use. What moves me the most, though, is that the School, the administration, and the faculty are so committed to teaching these young women the value of philanthropy.

"These lessons are going to stay with these girls throughout their lives," she said. "The fact that they were able to use their time and their talent to raise money for a cause that is so important, to give back to the community, and to make a difference."

Student Head of School Samantha Nelson of Oak Hill, VA, Vice Head of School Alexis Hall of Atlanta, GA , Head of the Athletic Association Maeve Couzens of Middleburg, and Mary Motion, a junior from Upperville whose family introduced Foxcroft to the Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the Foxcroft students. Head of School Mary Louise Leipheimer and several administrators and students who were key to the effort also attended the dinner.

"I am so proud of our School and all the girls," said Leipheimer, who has made certain that giving back and leadership are core aspects of a Foxcroft education. "They choose to make a difference and our world benefits."