- 2021 Spotlight
Personal Statement
Hello Coaches! My name is Leah Burrer and I am a junior at Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va. I have been rowing since my freshman year in 2019, in which I was placed on the junior varsity boat for both States and Nationals, as well as the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. I am a strong starboard rower, teammate, and scholar, and would like to continue to grow in these aspects in college. I have spent the majority of my time rowing in eights, but I have experience in a four and have spent my summer and fall since quarantine learning how to row in a single.
I have always enjoyed sports, so before I began rowing in high school, I had dedicated 10 years to playing soccer on my DII travel team, as well as a few other strides in basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. My experience with all of these sports has given me a better view of what it means to be a teammate and has shown me that the one skill you need for any game you play is grit. Rowing is so different from any of the sports I had previously played and that is why I fell in love with it. The importance of this grit and persistence, as well as the ability to be in perfect unison with your boat, have always been my favorite parts of the sport.
In terms of academics, I have always been drawn to science. I loved the problem solving involved and have always been determined to continue developing this passion in college, though which discipline of science I haven't decided yet. In addition, I love to sing and have been in various honors choirs since I was 12 and in my church choir since I was 6. While seemingly unrelated, I always loved getting lost in the music I sang and harmonizing with those around me. This love of harmonizing transferred to crew as well, as I love getting to row in perfect time with my team. Like singing, you have to practice the boat's rhythm like you practice a song's beat.
