Lejla Sadikovic is a senior at East Leyden High School. Sadikovic talked about some of the activities she’s involved in at the school.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up in Schiller Park. I went to John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Washington Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School. Now I’m a senior at East Leyden High School.
Q: What activities are you involved in at East Leyden?
A: I’m in Interact Club and Key Club. I’m a freshman ACCESS mentor. I’m a West Suburban Conference Leader and a football manager. I am the East Leyden student representative on the school board of education. I also won the title of homecoming queen.
Q: What do you like about East Leyden?
A: I love the relationships that the teachers build with their students. Everybody has school spirit, including the teachers. They’re very involved with one another.
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Q: What was the experience like winning homecoming queen?
A: I was very surprised. It was so sudden and unexpected. The crown itself and the sash weren’t important to me. Who I am, which is a covered up Muslim girl, meant a lot to me because I was representing girls like me.
Q: How did it make you feel?
A: When I first started at Leyden, I was the only girl like me. Now that there are more girls like me, I want [them to feel] self-confidence, fulfillment and worth.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from East Leyden?
A: I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. During my time at Leyden, I’ve realized how much I love Leyden and everybody in it. The adults in the building have helped me with my personal life; therefore, I really hope to go into secondary education. My dream is to come back to teach at Leyden.
Q: What subject would you like to teach?
A: I love history and social studies. That would be a dream come true.
Q: What teachers have impacted your life?
A: My counselor is a big one, which is Mr. Mitchell, and our principal, Mr. Markey.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: I love to be around people, such as family and friends. I like to be active, exercising, skiing and doing sports.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.