Kerry Costello-Leraris ’92 represents the ideal alumna—she was an active student leader and, after graduation, never stopped giving back to her alma mater. In fact, when she was awarded the 1992 Senior Golden Disc Award for her significant achievements as a student, there was the hope that she would continue to serve the Alumni Association with her leadership skills—and she did not disappoint!

Since graduation, Costello-Leraris completed a Master of Education in Reading at Arcadia University and began work in the field of special education, where she founded an alternative school, her own private academic school for students with severe special needs, primarily students with Autism. In 2010, she was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the top 40 professionals under the age of 40 for her professional achievements.

Costello-Leraris still coaches the same Special Olympics volleyball team she volunteered with while at college. The team continues to hold three annual dances in the Castle that she started in 1992, and programming has expanded to include an annual SportsFest in the Kuch Center Gymnasium.

A Rotarian for 12 years, she is presently serving as President of the Glenside Rotary Club. She is District Chairperson for the Rotary Group Study Exchange and coordinates both local and international service projects, including medical missions and international vocational exchanges.

Her special joy is organizing yearly vacations for members of the Special Olympics team and their families, calling themselves the Rotary Special Athletes Travel Club. They have travelled all over the world going to London and Paris, to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, and of course, to Disney

Closer to home—her Beaver College/Arcadia home—she is a class Fund Agent and Reunion Committee Co-Chair. She has served as an ambassador for new and prospective students, and mentored Arcadia interns and student teachers at her school, eager to hire when possible. She established a scholarship in memory of her late husband, the Charles W. Null Memorial Scholarship, which provides assistance to college students in need.

A classmate describes her this way, “Kerry is a true inspiration and a motivating force that continuously enhances her community and reaches out to those in need.”