We were lucky to catch up with Leo McCarthy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Leo, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose in serving future generations by helping one youth at a time. Enduring the senseless murder of my 14-year-old daughter, Mariah, due to an underage drunk driver, I knew I had to try to make a difference. A difference in talking about Butte’s high DUI history and the reluctance to work on the cyclical underage drinking problem that plagues our community.
In my daughter’s eulogy, I outlined what would later become known as Mariah’s Challenge. The requirements are: do not drink or use drugs for four years of high school, never get in vehicle when the driver has been drinking, and give back to your community. If the tenets are met and the scholarship applicant successfully completes a face-to-face interview with me, scholarship money will be provided for secondary education, trade school, or military pursuit. Since 2008, Mariah’s Challenge has awarded over $463,000 in scholarships to area seniors. The 2008 recipients are now parents, challenging their own children to accept Mariah’s Challenge.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Mariah’s Challenge is a movement of simple self-respect that allows the dinner table to be the most powerful and world changing place. Adults and youth have accepted Mariah’s Challenge as well many recovering alcohol and drug addicts. We were honored to be one of the 30 People Magazine, All Stars Among Us in St Louis, in 2009. I was also chosen as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2012. My daughter, Jenna, submitted the application without my knowledge! Mariah’s Challenge had runners attend the 2009 and 2010 New York Marathon and the 2011 Chicago Marathon. Our brand is visible by pink wristbands and angel pins. We did have a recognizable Montana license plate until 2019. Unfortunately, state regulations changed the non-profit rules for having license plates. Our website, www.mariahschallenge.co is currently being update. We are on Facebook, Instagram, and Meta/Twitter. I have presented Mariah’s Challenge all over Montana high schools and have presented in Washington state, Idaho, Tennessee, and New York. I also make annual presentations at the Montana State Prison, and pre-release. I speak at East Middle School’s Teens In Partnership (TIP) Lock In each year to 8th graders before entering high school. On October 28th each year, we host a virtual event called Light Up Mariah, which is a way for everyone to light a candle or leave a porch light on as they reflect on the great memories of lost loved ones. Using #LightUpMariah, people from all over the world post their candle or porchlight. It is a comforting and unifying event. My book, One October Night, a memoir detailing our family’s tragedy and the aftermath of losing Mariah was published in 2023 and is available to purchase on Amazon.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Walking through the pain of having the sacred ripped from your soul and still believe in humankind. I believe in Acta Non Verba, Deeds not Words. Advice that I have provided when asked is, I understand because I can understand when someone young is taken away by death.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I talk with dead people! Well, I mean, I read the works of the Greek and Roman Stoics. All of Ryan Holiday books. Stoicism is a thought system that allows the reader to utilize justice, wisdom, temperance and courage to try to see the world as it is, not through slanted opinions or outdated belief patterns. Vex King is also a helpful source. His quote, “Healing means assimilating all your wisdom that your experiences have taught you and letting go of the pain they’ve caused you.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariahschallenge.com
- Instagram: mariahschallenge
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/acceptmariahschallenge
- Twitter:@mariahschallenge.com
- Youtube: themariahschallenge.
Image Credits
People’s Magazine MLB Allstars Among Us, Mariners Stadium, 2009. @012 CNN Top Ten Heroes, 2012, I could not upload a picture of my book. How do I get it to you.
