Aleigh was born on Feb. 26, 1988 in Dallas, Tex. She soon traveled to Maine in the loving arms of “Mimi” to become the exuberant center of her parents, Tim and Donna’s world, choosing her own nickname at age five. Her life ended tragically and far too soon on July 10.
Her grandparents were longtime residents of Bremen.
Aleigh began school at South Berwick Elementary School and also volunteered at the Strawbery Banke historical site. She played the part of American Girl Doll, Addie Walker, who was an escaped slave, igniting her interest in history. Aleigh also began her lifelong passion for sports, playing soccer and basketball throughout the seacoast region of Maine and New Hampshire and continuing her elementary studies at Newfields Elementary School in Newfields, N.H.
While a student at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham, N.H., she continued her interest in sports, adding volleyball and track and field to her repertoire. Her gifts in drama and music began to unfold on the CMS stage.
When it came time to choose a high school, Aleigh took the initiative to research possibilities and settled on her father’s alma mater, Kents Hill School, in rural Kents Hill, Maine. She earned a reputation at Kents Hill as a natural and graceful leader, creating communities of friends and connecting diverse communities through her inviting friendship. Her teachers remember her as an infectiously good-humored student, but also as one willing to work hard to accomplish a project or master material. She excelled both as a team player and in her own athletic skills. A versatile extracurricular participant, she was unforgettable in her stage roles, especially as the singing chef romancing her stove in “Just So Stories.”
Aleigh was invited to spend two summers at the Seeds of Peace camp where her interests broadened to the world stage and her connecting circles of friends grew ever wider, reaching far beyond New England. She was deeply touched by the experiences shared by fellow campers and staff.
At Kents Hill, Aleigh helped build the women’s basketball team. She set a goal to bring the team “to the ship,” the state semi-finals at the Augusta Civic Center. She lived this dream in 2006, her senior year. She was just as proud of the girls’ accomplishment of winning the MAISADs (Maine Association of Interscholastic School Athletic Directors) three years running.
Recruited to play college ball, Aleigh spent her freshman college year at the University of Maine in Augusta where she was again instrumental in building a team that was buoyed by her generous spirit and desire to help all shine. She inspired teammates and opponents with her integrity and sense of fair play. She was chosen for the Yankee Small College Conference team. As a freshman, she held the record for the highest number of rebounds as well as the most double doubles, and was in the top ten in scoring in the Conference. While at UMA, she became active in Campus Crusade for Christ and in the student government.
Recruited to play D3 ball, Aleigh made plans to transfer to Lasell College in Newton, Mass., where she looked forward to joining the jazz chorus, playing basketball, and studying sports management.
