Sloane Avery & Harper Leigh
HARPER LEIGH
Please join me at my Festa de Quinze Anos on Saturday, January 9, 2027. This is important to me because being Catholic is a way of life. I believe that my calling is to help all people who grace my path.
My faith has been molded in so many ways. Catholics choose a patron saint to guide and protect them in life. I choose Saint Katharine Drexel. In 1891, she established a school specifically for African American and Native American children because no one else would teach them. She is the patron saint of racial justice and charity.
I also choose Catholic sister Sor. Juana Inez de la Cruz. She is recognized as one of the most important writers of Mexican literature as a feminist nun in the 17th century.
She has been presented for canonization and is a patron of free speech, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ equality.
I believe in equity for all, but especially for vulnerable minority populations. I believe that I must be a steward for the environment and its creatures. I believe that the search of knowledge is the secret to life. I believe group projects are evil.
AWARDS & FAVORITES
I am incredibly proud of my academic career to this point. I attended the Aerospace and Mathematics Magnet school for grades 6-8 and to date, I have earned all As and only one B since kindergarten.
I started Magruder high with enough gifted and advanced credits to be considered a sophomore, including 3 college credits. I plan to follow in my maternal grandfather's footsteps and become a Ph.D. physicist--albeit in astrophysics instead of nuclear physics.
My dream is to work for NASA and advance our knowledge of black hole anomalies. Beyond work, I want to travel and become fully fluent in Spanish to advocate for women's right in at least two languages.
ARTWORK & PHOTOS
TALENTS & HOBBIES
I have acquired many new talents and hobbies but still find time for my older interests. I've been swimming since I've been 4 months old and now swim competitively for the Rockville Rays.
I love the fast swim strokes: butterfly and freestyle. I have been studying piano for over 6 years and will perform Beethoven for you at the Quinze celebration.
In addition, I have been fencing since 9 and receive silver status (second only to Sloane Avery's gold) for foil. Watch out, I might just compete for Cape Verde at the Olympics in foil fencing! I love to read and average about 8 books per week. I also embroider and dive deep into my favorite music artists.
