Leo’s Story

Leo's global experiences over his short (shy of) eleven years of life are what has inspired all of the people he touched and given us the purpose to pay it forward.

He set sail at 2.5 years old from San Francisco, California to Tokyo Japan.

Leo embarked on a five year schooling career in Motoazabu prefecture. He spent pre through Kindergarten at Summerhill International Preschool followed by Nishimachi International School where he spent first through second grade. His schooling in Japan afforded friendships and connections from all over the world.

His foundation set firmly in the Japanese teachings of OMOTENASHI reflective of Leo's character especially his hospitality and openness to people of all backgrounds. He also learned OMOIYARI which means "compassion" in Japanese and reflects the principles Leo learned each day he spent in the Japanese school setting.

At age 7, Leo and family transitioned to the bustling Southeast Asian hub, Singapore. Leo and his sister attended a 4000 student K through high school SAS, a school established over 50 years ago to bring the American system abroad. Leo began learning Mandarin and joined the SAS baseball and football teams. He developed a love for American sport while living in a melting pot of diversity.

Leo was able to travel with his SAS baseball team to Dubai where he competed against other teams from across Asia Pacific. He played hard and learned about sportsmanship and camaraderie. Leo visited many countries on his travels such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and his ancestral home of Sri Lanka and Italy. Leo had a special connection with nature, through surfing and skiing he was connected to the environment around him. Skiing in the mountains of Japan and surfing the waves of Bali he was always at peace.

After 8 years abroad, Leo was enthusiastic to move back with his family to the home of Football, Baseball, and Big league Chew. Over the year that Leo spent in California, he made quick inroads into the community. Leo's radiant smile and welcoming nature stood out to the community.