The Laura Bodian and Alan Bodden Memorial Fund
The Laura Bodian and Alan Bodden Memorial Fund was established by high school friends to honor the memory and legacy of two beloved members of Dwight Morrow High School’s Class of 1989. The Fund supports educational opportunities and other charitable causes that uplift young people who brighten the world just as Laura and Alan once did.
Through the Fund, scholarships will support graduating seniors of Dwight Morrow High School who plan to pursue further education and who embody Laura and Alan’s spirit of kindness, compassion, generosity and commitment to caring for others.
Remembering Laura Bodian (1971 – 2024)
Laura Bodian was a kind and gentle soul who loved animals and had a passion for healing through her bodywork practice. Her soft-spoken nature made her wicked sense of humor especially delightful – it was so subtle that it would catch you off guard and leave you in a fit of giggles. Patient and persistent, she excelled in everything she touched, from academics to athletics. She was always a seeker of knowledge. As she furthered her learnings, Laura uncovered her own inner wisdom and heeded a path towards alternative healthcare, helping others achieve health and well-being.
Remembering Alan Bodden (1971 – 2022)
Alan Bodden, affectionately known as “Al-B” by many, embodied kindness, service and leadership not as titles but as a way of being. In school, he had a wide range of talents and interests and always showed up curious, engaged and with an open heart. His commitment to service deepened in adulthood when he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Armed Forces. After his military career, he continued to care for others through his work in the medical field. Whether serving his nation, supporting patients or always being there for his friends, Alan was guided by a devotion to others.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Both Laura and Alan made a lasting impression on all of those blessed to have been in their orbits. They brought joy wherever they went. This Fund celebrates their spirits and legacies, continuing to inspire future generations.
Grant Awarded
Suri Paulino Diaz, a 2026 graduate of Dwight Morrow High School
In 2026, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s Laura Bodian and Alan Bodden Memorial Fund awarded its first grant to Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey. The grant provided a $1,000 scholarship to graduating senior Suri Paulino Diaz to attend Rutgers University-Newark, where she plans to major in business management and pursue a career in family law. Among her extracurricular activities, Suri was founder/president of Mental Health Matters, co-founder/co-president of the Anchored in Christ Club, a member of the Latino Student Union, and also a student in the Rutgers Business School College Prep Program. She was also involved in the community as a volunteer in Casa de Amor’s Mental Health Fair in Paterson, as well as a tutor with the POP Program in Englewood. Among her accomplishments, she was on the high honor roll and also received the Remarkable Growth Award from the Rutgers University Business Prep program.
Ways to Give
Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Online contributions: Gifts to the Fund may be made through the secure link below. A processing fee is deducted from online contributions.
Check contributions: Making a gift by check ensures that the full amount directly supports the Fund’s mission. The form at the bottom of this page can be downloaded and mailed with a check according to the instructions.
Download and fill out the form, and mail it along with the donation check.
