Burlington, NJ – Harness Horsemen International is proud to announce that Cayden Leonard of Harvard, IL, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the annual $4,000 Jerome L. Hauck Scholarship. This esteemed annual award recognizes an outstanding student with a deep commitment to harness racing, academic excellence, and community leadership.
Cayden, a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School, grew up on an Illinois horse farm where he learned responsibility and resilience. His great grandfather and grandfather are in the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association Hall of Fame, and his father, Casey Leonard, is a dedicated Standardbred trainer and driver and has served as a director on the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association for years.
Throughout high school, Cayden maintained a weighted GPA of 4.04 (3.6 unweighted), consistently achieving high academic honors, including the Principal’s Award for the 2023-2024 school year. Beyond academics, Cayden balanced a rigorous schedule as a four-year athlete in golf, basketball, and lacrosse, while also contributing to his school community as a member of the Key Club and mentorship program.
Cayden’s commitment to service, coupled with his Catholic education and community involvement, has helped him emerge as a disciplined student and compassionate leader. Inspired by an economics class during his junior year, Cayden will attend the University of Iowa’s Tippie School of Business, with plans to major in business finance.
“College has always been my goal, especially becoming a Hawkeye like my mom,” said Cayden.
Harness Horsemen International congratulates Cayden Leonard on this well-deserved achievement and is confident that Cayden will continue to embody the values and aspirations of the Jerome L. Hauck Scholarship as he embarks on the next chapter of his academic and professional journey.
For more information about the Jerome L. Hauck Scholarship and Harness Horsemen International, please visit https://www.harnesshorsemeninternational.com/scholarships.