Athlete Spotlight: Ryan Leon

Ryan Leon is a junior at Valencia High School and has been a part of MSA for three years now. He is interested in going into sociology in the future and is in the Mind Matters pathway of MSA. He plans on attending a four year university after high school and would ideally like to go to UC Santa Cruz. 

1. How long have you played this sport, and what inspired you to start? 

I joined MSA my freshman year so this is my third year in the Academy. When I was figuring out which classes I wanted to take my freshman year as an eighth grader, I saw that MSA was opening up a behavioral health pathway. I’ve been very interested in psychology and sociology for a long time, so I knew I had to join. 

2. Are you planning to continue this sport in the future? 

I currently plan on staying at MSA, even though my pathway is shutting down. I have found that the community and opportunities available within MSA make it worth staying, even if I cannot do psychology-related work through MSA my senior year. However, it is through Ms. Desso, my MSA teacher, that I have found another way to continue learning about the behavioral health field. I will be participating in the Child Mind Institute’s Youth Mental Health Academy 14-month program, beginning this summer. 

3. Is there someone that you look up to within the sport?

I look up to Valentina Soto Navarrete. She’s a close friend of mine and a fellow junior, but nonetheless, I am inspired by her. Any person that knows Valentina knows that she is incredibly welcoming and easy to talk to. Just being in her presence lights you up. Within the academy, her academics, and running, Valentina is determined and dedicated. I hope to make others feel as comforted in my presence as they do in hers. I will strive to make that come true. 

4.What advice do you have for people who want to join your sport? 

 If you are interested in joining MSA, I suggest that you make the most of it. Get involved when you can. Work shifts, join leadership committees, show up to bonding events. There are wonderful people within MSA and you’ll enjoy your time in it much more if you really get to know them. 

5. What will you miss the most about this sport when you graduate? 

When I graduate, the thing I will miss the most are the people I have met through MSA. My best friend, actually, I met while doing the elevator pitch activity Monte does with the freshmen. We got to talking and since then, we’ve been glued to each other. Besides him, I’ve become close to so many other wonderful people, especially my fellow behavioral health peers. I will miss being in Desso’s class, laughing together in the most comfortable classroom environment I’ve ever had.

6.What is one book/movie you think everyone should read/watch?

I recommend the movie, 13th, on Netflix. It’s a really eye-opening documentary on racial inequality in the United States and its relevance to the prison system. 

7. What subject interests you the most, and why. 

Sociology is my favorite subject. I think that we so often place blame on individuals for issues that are rooted in societal or community level problems. It takes a greater analysis of the institutions at work for us to create the change that needs to be made.

8. What are your plans after high school? 

After highschool, I want to go to a 4-year university and major in Sociology. From there, I hope to get my master’s degree in Social Work.

9. What is a fictional place that you would like to visit? 

I don't have a unique answer to this but I would love to visit Hogwarts. The world of Harry Potter is so easy to have fun in. 

10.If you had 25 hours in a day, what would you do with the extra hour? 

  If I had an extra hour, I would spend it playing with my dogs. My busy school schedule does not allow me to spend as much time with them as I would like. I really want to change that even if I cannot get an extra hour.