The question of “What comes next?” may be a daunting one for many students right now. However, Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans has an impressive collection of alumni who have achieved great things beyond these doors that may serve as inspiration. One notable person on this list is Paul Leroux, who graduated from BFA in 2010. 

After studying Social Studies at Harvard University, Leroux went on to get a law degree from New York University. He has worked on, and contributed to, several projects such as Healthcare for All in Vermont and a summer program that taught civics to kids in Boston Public Schools. 

Leroux now works as a housing attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y. and “[represents] low-income tenants [when dealing with] their housing.”  Leroux noted that “it is really wonderful that, in this moment when things are so difficult, that [he] can use skills that [he has] developed” in order to positively benefit his community. 

Since graduating from NYU in 2019, Leroux has also gotten engaged to Dipona Bandy and made some wonderful friends.

Leroux wanted to go into Social Studies because he was interested in politics and what was happening in the world around him and law because he wanted to have an impact on other people. Leroux made it clear that BFA prepared him well.

Leroux pointed out two courses he took as a freshman at BFA, Accelerated Writing Workshop with Polly Rico and Accelerated Global Citizenship with Larry Trombley, which were extremely helpful in his career path. In these classes, Leroux developed many of the writing and analytical skills that he still uses in his life today. “Freshman year [wa]s really…wonderful,” Leroux said.

When asked if he had any advice for students looking to go into a similar field after high school, Leroux expressed that, while college and law school were rewarding for him, not to put that much stock in it, and be open to other opportunities and ways of life.  “Find the thing that works for you,” Leroux said.