In the 2024-2025 school year at Mill Creek, Mrs. Elizabeth Leonard is finding new ways to help her students SOAR and leave a mark on others that could never be erased.
Leonard holds many important roles at Mill Creek, one of which is serving as the sponsor of the fencing club. Leonard has sponsored the fencing club for six years, and she uses her role within the club to connect with students and unite the Mill Creek community. “We have a fairly diverse club, so we have all different sorts of students,” Leonard, FAC, said. Mill Creek is home to about 2,600 students from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The fencing club accurately represents the diverse population of Mill Creek and offers everyone the opportunity to find enjoyment in the sport. “I love seeing how our kids can come together regardless of their backgrounds and just share a passion for something together,” Leonard said.
Leonard continually encourages her fencing students to learn, challenge themselves, grow from mistakes and never give up in the face of adversity. “I like watching the kids grow throughout the semester. When we start in August, or really in September, we have our few kids who have been in the club before, but we always get a bunch of new kids coming to join who have never touched a sword before. To see them the first time they touch the sword, see how excited they get and start learning the moves and the footwork that goes along with it, and then see that same student in April or May. How much they’ve improved, how much they’ve grown, and just seeing that growth makes me so happy,” Leonard said.
Through the fencing club, Mill Creek students have been able to learn many valuable skills and life lessons that are sure to leave a lasting impact on them. However, Leonard’s fencing club has also acted as a safe space for students in an ever-changing world full of burdens and stress. “Fencing club is a sport I’ve been in [since] freshman year. It’s just great people and nice vibes. It’s just kind of been a norm for me and a place of comfort,” Damien Nguyen, 12, said. As the co-captain of the club, Nguyen also acquired valuable leadership experience and skills that reach far beyond the sport itself.
While sponsoring the fencing club is a very rewarding experience, it does not come without a fair share of challenges and setbacks. However, Leonard strongly believes in utilizing a growth mindset to bounce back and overcome obstacles, and she encourages her students to do the same. “The most challenging part is just working with schedules. We meet every Wednesday after school, but based on testing or what different things we have going on just trying to make that schedule work for all of our people who want to be involved in other things can be challenging sometimes,” Leonard said.
Leonard’s fencing students appreciate how she always goes the extra mile to encourage them and support them when necessary. Fencing club captain Ransom Roberts, who also noted the important leadership skills he has acquired from the club, took the time to show appreciation for Mrs. Leonard and her dedication to her students. “Mrs. Leonard is a really good sponsor,” Roberts, 12, said.
Other students also took the time to show appreciation for Leonard and express how much she truly means to them. “She’s very nice. She’s very helpful as well. It’s a student-led club, but she’s always here if we need her,” Nguyen said.
In addition to sponsoring the fencing club, Leonard also teaches math in the EPIC program and was recently named the STAR teacher of the year. All of these factors clearly demonstrate her commitment to the student body and show that she is truly a Mill Creek star.
