When Leah Ford stepped onto Holy Family University’s campus for the first time, she was emerging from a full year of remote learning at Pennsbury High School in Yardley — an experience that left her feeling nervous about transitioning into in-person college.

“Going from virtual high school during COVID to in-person college was very difficult,” she recalled. “I was overwhelmed by both the level of work and the amount of work.”

Rather than grow discouraged, Ford sought support. She signed up for free tutoring in math, history, English, and time management. She didn’t just learn those skills — she mastered them.

Now in her final semester, Ford has been named valedictorian of Holy Family’s Class of 2025. She’s managing a full course load while working full time as a long-term substitute teacher at Edgewood Elementary School in her hometown Pennsbury School District. On top of that, she serves as a student ambassador, co-captains the cheerleading team, and co-leads the Aspiring Educators Club.

“She’s changing the world one miracle moment at a time,” said Geraldine Fitzpatrick-Doria, Associate Professor of Education at Holy Family. “Leah is an exceptional young woman, an outstanding educator, and a motivational leader who demonstrates servant leadership at every turn.”

Ford’s path to Holy Family was as intentional as it was personal. She grew up just a few miles from the university’s Newtown campus and always had it on her radar. As the first in her family to attend college, she felt the weight of making the right choice — one that was both financially practical and aligned with her goals.

“I wasn’t going into a field that makes a lot of money, so I wanted to be smart financially,” she said. “Holy Family was the smart choice financially — and it has a great education program.”

That decision paid off. From her first days on campus, Ford found a community that made her feel at home. “The girls I met at orientation are still my best friends today,” she said.

That sense of connection gave her the confidence to push through challenges — like a particularly tough first-year Italian course. “It was hard, but I stuck with it,” she said.

The summer after her sophomore year, her perseverance paid off when she traveled to Italy on a two-week educational trip with Holy Family. “It was my first time out of the country. I turned 20 on that trip,” she said. “I paid for it all myself — working at Giant, in admissions, and as a summer camp counselor. It was worth every minute.”

Ford’s passion for teaching has been consistent from the start. In high school, she interned at local elementary and middle schools, experiences that solidified her calling. “I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do,” she said. “It’s where I feel like myself.”

At Holy Family, that commitment deepened. Under her leadership, the Aspiring Educators Club grew into a dynamic organization that focused on community service. One of its standout initiatives — monthly literacy and learning programs at the Torresdale Public Library — was recognized as Holy Family’s Educational Program of the Year.

While balancing academic, extracurricular, and professional responsibilities, Ford said her love for education fueled her success. “Once I started taking classes related to my major, I grew more passionate about it,” she said.

Still, she hadn’t considered applying to be valedictorian until an email from the university arrived inviting her to do so. At Holy Family, the selection process reflects the school’s commitment to academic excellence and its core values. Students with a GPA above 3.9 are invited to apply — just 10 were eligible this year — and each is asked to respond to an essay question: What has your experience at Holy Family meant to you? A faculty committee then interviews the candidates and makes the final selection.

“I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I really could do this,’” she said. “I was working hard, leading a club, cheering, working on campus — and I really love this school. It felt like a way to put a bow on it all.”

When she got the call that she had been selected, she was at work. She stepped out of the classroom and immediately called her mom. “She started crying,” Ford said. “It was such a happy moment. My parents and grandparents are so proud.”

She credits her parents — Donna, an executive assistant, and Dave, an electrician — for instilling in her a strong work ethic. “They’ve always been my biggest supporters,” she said.

Looking ahead, Ford hopes to stay in the Pennsbury School District, where she’s currently substitute teaching. “That’s the path — student teaching, subbing, and, hopefully, a full-time job,” she said.

As she prepares to graduate with a degree in Pre-K-4 education and a minor in history, Ford said the key to her college experience was getting involved. “It’s really what you make of it,” she said. “You can be a commuter who just comes and goes, or you can be involved. I chose to be involved — and it changed everything.”

Learn more about Holy Family University and how it provides a values-based education rooted in the Catholic tradition.