Leslie Ann Mazzara's grace, charm and generosity touched everyone she met. She was an Anderson County resident and graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School, a member of the Greenville Ballet Company and attended the SC Governor's School for the Arts. She graduated in 2003 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in philosophy.

Leslie was crowned Miss Williamston 2002 and went on to compete in the 2002 Miss South Carolina Pageant. As Miss Williamston, Leslie chose child abuse awareness and prevention as her platform after hearing about the case of Stephanie Carter.  Stephanie was the four-year-old Anderson girl who died on October 17, 2000, after a year of torture at the hands of her father and stepmother. Leslie became an advocate for abused and neglected children by speaking at church and school events to raise awareness, by promoting legislation for the cause and by conducting fund-raisers for Stephanie's Cottage at Calvary Home for Children.

Tragedy ...

In the early morning hours of November 1, 2004, Leslie and her roommate, Adrianne Insogna, were fatally stabbed in their Napa, California home where they were living at the time. The murders remained unsolved for almost eleven months. A suspect is now in custody and awaiting trial. It is a tragic irony that someone so passionate about an evil of society would herself become a victim at another's hands.

Hope ...

The family and friends of Leslie Mazzara wish to create a lasting memorial in her honor. The goal of the Leslie Mazzara Memorial Fund is to raise money for a third cottage at Calvary Home for Children in Anderson, South Carolina. This home will serve as a tribute to Leslie and her mission of preventing the horrors of child abuse. All donations will be used for the building of Leslie's Cottage and are tax deductible.