Leah Young

Where are you now?

Pearl High School in Pearl, MS

Why did you decide to come to MSU and pursue a degree in education?

Everyone in my immediate family graduated from MSU, so I had grown up loving this school and always knew I wanted to go there. I chose to pursue a degree in education because I loved the fact that as a teacher, I would have the opportunity to help students succeed in their academic goals and encourage them to pursue their ambitions. 

What do you want people to know about you?

I lived in Columbus, MS my whole life. I attended the same small Christian school from preschool all the way to 12th grade. I then went on to East Mississippi Community College where I completed my first two years of school. I am a Christian, and with no doubt can say that my relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in my life. I am very involved at my church where I participate in my Sunday school and Bible studies. I have also helped chaperone youth trips and activities, as well as led a middle school girls' Bible study on a weekly basis. I grew up as a cheerleader at my school as well as a competitive cheerleader at my local all star gym. I worked as a coach at that same all star gym for years, helping girls with their cheerleading and tumbling skills. Choosing math as my degree concentration was easy for me since loving math runs in my family. My dad and older brother are both civil engineers, and my mom and older sister both work in finance. I loved school and helping others succeed, so choosing education as my major had always made sense for me. I believe that being a teacher is a challenging, but mostly rewarding career, and I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue it.

What advice would you give to entering freshmen or students finishing up high school?

Where you decide to go to school or what you choose to major in may not be the same as your friends or peers, and that is perfectly fine. Do not let what others are doing or not doing deter you from where you want to go or what you want to be. You will be much more inclined to succeed in your studies if you are pursuing something you are passionate about.