Bristol Borough School District announced that 17-year-old student-athlete Ava Leeb signed a letter of intent during the recent early signing period to attend Holy Family University (HFU) where she’ll soar in the sky with the Tigers cheer team next fall.
High School Honor Society student, check; 4.2 GPA; check; part time job at Chick-fil-A; check; full ride scholarship check.
Leeb is the first Bristol High School cheer team athlete to sign a letter of intent to attend a NCAA Division II school.
“I am truly looking forward to being there next fall,” Leeb said. She added that she would enjoy the full university experience because she would live on campus.
Leeb said she’s always wanted to go to Holy Family and the school is an ideal fit for her because there is a cheer team.
“It’s been a big dream of mine to cheer in college” she said and HFU is “a perfect fit for me.”
Leeb has been involved with cheering since she was five and competes as a flyer.
Leeb’s mom, Lisa, was filled with pride and awe as she watched her daughter’s accomplishments and life come into full bloom, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.
“She doesn’t fully understand yet the impact of what this means for generations to come, like when she has her own children someday.”
The school, scholarship, all the hard work in her grades and cheering, I am so proud of her.
Leeb said she was accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. She hopes to learn to be a caring advocate who connects with patients in an empathetic yet professionally supportive way.
Her life experiences managing her own health issue, celiac disease, led her to choose a nursing major, Leeb said.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered when you eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and other grains. It triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, leading to nutrient malabsorption, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Celiac presents challenges for her in social situations when she and her friends, for example, plan to go out to eat, Leeb said, because of dietary restrictions. Leeb is keenly aware she must maintain a gluten-free diet in order to avoid triggers and flare-ups.
Credit:Submitted
She said she doesn’t push the gluten-free issue with her friends when they go out to eat. I know what I can and can’t eat.
Sure there are some “dark days” with managing celiac but I won’t quit and will continue to work hard despite those bad days.
Echoing the spirit of the HFU motto: I am bound by my responsibilities.
Bristol High School Athletic Director Mike Poploskie said Leeb goes above and beyond for the school community and is a model student.
Leeb said she is truly grateful to the support and help she’s received from Bristol High School teachers and staff.
” Athletic Director Mike Poploskie is truly amazing and his help in getting me to this point, I really grateful for.”