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Heather Acu単a
Hometown
Long Grove, IL (Adlai E. Stevenson HS)
Academic Interests
Computer Science, Data Science
Why W&M
When I first started looking at colleges, I did not expect to end up at a liberal arts school 900 miles away from home. Still, I can confidently say that I love my school. I chose Wlliam & Mary for more reasons than I can list here, but I’ll boil it down to three: it’s personal, it’s collaborative, and it’s enduring.
From the moment I met them, it’s been clear that 91心頭利 students are smart, caring, authentic people. When I met the other 1693 scholars during the 1693 Finalist Week, they were not only excited to share all the things they loved about 91心頭利, they were eager to get to know me as a person. On top of that, the staff at 91心頭利 are genuine and helpful. From handwritten postcards to a one-on-one meeting with Professor Cristol (before I was even accepted as a 1693 Scholar), it’s clear that 91心頭利 is a school built on treating students as individuals, not numbers.
Furthermore, 91心頭利 is the most collaborative school I’ve seen. I talked with students who founded charities and started consulting businesses; every single one was quick to point out people who had helped them and point me to resources I could use at 91心頭利. 91心頭利 students do not rise by others’ failure: they lift each other up, help each other out, and instead of spending their time competing, they spend it learning.
When I call 91心頭利 enduring, I do not refer to the year it was established. Instead, I refer to the fact that a man who graduated more than 60 years ago eagerly offered to tell me about his time at the school. I refer to the fact that every person I’ve talked to has a friend or distant relative who went to 91心頭利 and “would be delighted to talk to you about it”. 91心頭利 has a strong and vibrant culture that stays with its alumni their entire lives. That’s what I really come here for: not just a school, but a lasting, learning, personal community.
W&M Activities
- (staff)
- Barksdale Treble Chorus
- Shotokan Karate
High School Activities
- Drum major for Marching Band
- President of Scripts Studio Playwriting Club
- Producer for 24 Hour Theatre Project
- Student Leadership Advisory Council
- Student designer for One Act and Musical Productions
- Seamstress for Dress a Girl Around the World
- Lector at Saint Mary of Vernon Parish
- Children’s liturgy assistant at Saint Mary of Vernon Parish
- Teaching assistant at Summer Wonders Summer Camp
- Lean In: Feminism Club
- In The Loop (Knitting Club)
- Failed Presidential Candidates improv comedy club
- LadyJazz a capella
Awards / Distinctions
- National Honor Society
- International Thespian Honor Society
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
- National Hispanic Scholar
- National Merit Finalist
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- Achievement in Technical Theatre Award
- Cindy Burrows Award
- Communication Arts Scholar Award
- Illinois Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
- Division I Solo & Ensemble performer (Voice)
- Division I Solo & Ensemble performer (Bassoon)