Heather Leung

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how socioeconomic status can significantly impact a student's academic journey. My parents invested in my education by enrolling me in programs like IXL, Edhelper, Kumon, and providing workbooks, enabling me to pursue accelerated math tracks and AP courses. Reflecting on this, I recognize the inequalities that financial barriers create in education. While I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me, I am saddened that many of my peers did not have access to similar resources, limiting their academic potential.

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My academic experiences have heightened my awareness of the diverse identities students hold and the need for tailored solutions to address educational inequalities. By listening to and understanding the challenges faced by students from different economic backgrounds, I believe in creating equitable learning environments. Adopting an asset-based approach, I advocate for enhancing existing resources, such as after-school programs, tutors, and technology, to support students' success.

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Engaging with various community groups has shaped my passion for fostering inclusive spaces that honor and value diverse intersecting identities. This passion led me to pursue a major in Education, Communities, and Organizations. Additionally, my minor in Urban Ecological Design has fueled my interest in designing public spaces that promote community health and well-being. For instance, for our final project to create an equitable sandbox playground mockup featuring a variety of sensory enrichment elements. This experience underscored the importance of inclusive play spaces and their positive impact on community health. For my senior capstone project, I collaborated with the King County Play Equity Coalition, aligning my interests and passion for advocating for inclusive and equitable access to sports and physical activities.

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In my future career, I aspire to create inclusive spaces where individuals can come together, collaborate, and build community. I aim to facilitate interactions that empower individuals to share, exchange, and inspire each other, while also respecting their agency and creativity.

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Outside of my professional pursuits, I have a passion for commercial dance, recreational volleyball, and engaging in crafty projects.