Leslie Hook Learning Center
A brand new heated education building with state-of-the art stalls, heated parent observation room, large multi-purpose meeting/party room, a library , and computer room.
Although this building will be used to educate many who enter its doors, it came to us by way of having to say goodbye to one of our very own...
Although this building will be used to educate many who enter its doors, it came to us by way of having to say goodbye to one of our very own...
Leslie Ann Hook, Age 16
No matter what the Linganore High School junior was involved in, she pursued it with all of her being and did not give up until she reached her goal. It was this passion for life that defined her.
Leslie, 16, a junior at Linganore High, was killed Sept. 11, 2009
when she lost control of the car she was driving and it struck a tree on Woodville Road. Her friends and family remembered her in a memorial service held at Rushing Winds Farm. Several of her classmates took the podium to recall how artistic, energetic and kind Leslie was.
She had always loved animals, especially horses, and had hoped to be a veterinarian. Leslie loved her horse Apollo, who had been rescued from an abusive life by the farm eight years ago, about the same time as Leslie began riding at Rushing Winds Farm. Leslie's excitement and joy for life, not only inspired her peers and family, but her horse as well. She was constantly pushing Apollo to his limits, training him to jump higher and higher. Her last ride on Apollo, the night before her accident, brought her such joy that when she came home she was floating on air and could speak of nothing but her awesome ride on her horse, Apollo.
The Leslie Hook Learning Center was 100% funded by The Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation, which was founded and funded by Leslie's deceased grandparents. The hope for the Learning Center is to positively impact the programs offered at Rushing Winds Farm. The Learning Center properly extends the spirit of its namesake, Leslie Hook, whom by all accounts was a fun loving, hardworking individual with love of animals and a passion for life.
Leslie, 16, a junior at Linganore High, was killed Sept. 11, 2009
when she lost control of the car she was driving and it struck a tree on Woodville Road. Her friends and family remembered her in a memorial service held at Rushing Winds Farm. Several of her classmates took the podium to recall how artistic, energetic and kind Leslie was.
She had always loved animals, especially horses, and had hoped to be a veterinarian. Leslie loved her horse Apollo, who had been rescued from an abusive life by the farm eight years ago, about the same time as Leslie began riding at Rushing Winds Farm. Leslie's excitement and joy for life, not only inspired her peers and family, but her horse as well. She was constantly pushing Apollo to his limits, training him to jump higher and higher. Her last ride on Apollo, the night before her accident, brought her such joy that when she came home she was floating on air and could speak of nothing but her awesome ride on her horse, Apollo.
The Leslie Hook Learning Center was 100% funded by The Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Foundation, which was founded and funded by Leslie's deceased grandparents. The hope for the Learning Center is to positively impact the programs offered at Rushing Winds Farm. The Learning Center properly extends the spirit of its namesake, Leslie Hook, whom by all accounts was a fun loving, hardworking individual with love of animals and a passion for life.
Leslie and Apollo
(c)2011 Rushing Winds Farm All Rights Reserved.
All Photographs were provided with permission and consent of all parties involved.
All Photographs were provided with permission and consent of all parties involved.