Truth, justice, and Leanna Spinner

Eastern student relies on teachers, mother to help turn her life around

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(Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series celebrating the efforts of young women in Kokomo and Howard County who are building their own futures and overcoming adversity. Read additional installments at www.kokomolantern.com)

Leanna Spinner hated school. She didn’t do her homework. She didn’t study for tests, and by her own admission, she didn’t care about the consequences. And there were consequences. Before she finished middle school, she faced suspensions and was flirting with expulsion.

“When I was 12-13 years old, I was very mentally ill,” said Spinner. “I was constantly in trouble. I was getting bad grades in school. I didn't really care what my grades were, and I didn't really care what my future looked like at that point.”

It was an ordeal for her mother, Cacey Layton. She wasn’t sure Leanna would make it to graduation. She cried happily when Leanna graduated from middle school.

“There were some very rough days,” said Layton. “Time spent away. Opportunities missed. It was hard to watch.”

But something changed. Spinner looked up and noticed that she wasn’t controlling her own life. She was reacting, withdrawing, allowing how her peers viewed her to define her self-image. And then she noticed how many people were trying to help her.

Her mother. Teachers and administrators at Eastern Schools. She was being given chances not every student receives. And one in particular, Eastern Middle School Assistant Principal Thomas Russell, did everything he could to keep Leanna in school.

“He didn't send me to the counselor,” said Spinner. “He knew I never really liked to talk to our counselor or our principal. If I ever needed to talk to somebody, it was either him or (her teacher, Amy Warnock).

“Instead of the immediate punishment that's in the rule book, all he did was call my mom. That's a lot coming from him, because he's seen a lot of students. But if it wasn't for him, I probably could have been expelled.”

“Mr. Russell showed leniency to a point and really worked with her and talked to her instead of doing the instant punishments,” added Layton. “Really, the administration as a whole could have just been like, ‘You're out of here. You're somebody else's problem.’

“That happens. There are kids who have been expelled, and they just bounce around because nobody takes the time to really work with them. So, I am very grateful that they helped Leanna.”

It took time for Spinner to turn herself around. Layton explained that she saw the change take place gradually. At first, her daughter didn’t fight doing her homework or studying for tests quite as often. Then, she started investing in things she enjoyed, like playing softball. She began standing up for her friends. Instead of wallowing inside herself, Spinner started to care about her future, her friends, and her family.

“I started to see small steps going in the right direction, and then in eighth grade, she made the honor roll,” said Layton. “She got outstanding achievement for Social Studies. She would apply herself more. Instead of one day of not complaining about homework or studies, it would be majority of the week.”

Spinner’s teachers saw it as well. Amy Warnock was one of her instructors, and she wrote the nomination that eventually helped Spinner win a Turnaround Award at the Mayor’s Turnaround Breakfast in May.

“Leanna embodies resilience, strength, and an unwavering spirit,” Warnock wrote. “Leanna has faced enormous challenges in her young life; obstacles that might have caused others to lose hope. Instead of being defined by adversity, she chose to do the hard work and rise above it.”

From Spinner’s perspective, it was about control.

“I was done letting people walk over me,” said Spinner. “I was done letting other people write my script. Not only was I hurting myself mentally and physically, I realized that my family wouldn't want me to be this way. I wanted a bigger picture for myself.

“Now, I try to make sure my grades are as good as I can get them. I'm actually meant to be better.”

And she’s started dreaming about her future. Initially, she thought becoming a trauma surgeon might be her calling, but she realized over time that her heart is more dedicated to serving people.

“I like to give people a voice, and I like to make sure a lot of people are heard,” said Spinner. “You can't really do that being a trauma surgeon, so I'm hoping to find something where I can give people a voice and just help people.”

That advocacy was noticed by her teachers as well. Warnock confirmed that Spinner is at her best when standing up for others.

“Leanna likes the truth,” wrote Warnock. “She lives in it. If she encounters a situation that seems unjust or sees a person being treated unfairly, she is definitely not afraid to speak her mind.

“She will confront the wrong. She will fight for the underdog, speak up for those who can’t always speak for themselves, and remind us that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and believed in. She is a force.”

Spinner said she is interested in Social Studies and Language Arts, but as a freshman in high school, there is much she has yet to experience. Knowing this, she is setting her sights high. She wants to excel in her studies and gain entry into Stanford University; a selection she made because of how many students try and fail to earn a degree from there.

“Stanford has the highest drop-out rate,” said Spinner. “That just shows, if a bunch of kids drop out, they're obviously being pushed to really learn the information they need to know for what they want to do. I want to go to a college where I'm actually going learn what I want to do.”

It took a lot of people working together to help Leanna Spinner turn around her life, but at the end of it all, it was her choice, her determination, that made the difference. That resolve is what she would share with other young people who are struggling to find themselves in this world.

“Don't let other people write your script,” said Spinner. “You're who you want to make yourself out to be. Some days you don't want to get out of bed. You don't want to get your schoolwork done, but you're gonna have to work through it. In the end, it's worth it.”