CAPURTING LEAH: A Multi-Sport Athlete with a Heart for Encouragement!

Introducing 15-year-old freshman Leah Vojtko! This incredible athlete is driven by her desire to help others: "I am great at helping people. Whether that be through talking out their problems, or just hyping them up as needed." We are so excited to have her powerful energy on the Capture Life Teen Team!

Getting to Know Leah

​Leah is a freshman at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA), which she describes as a very encouraging school—and that supportive environment seems to be a perfect fit for her.

​When we asked what makes her her, Leah was quick to answer: all of her sports and her family!

​Here are a few more quick-fire facts about Leah:

• ​Favorite Snacks: It's a tie between Rainbow Goldfish and Cheese-Its!

• ​Favorite Restaurant: Toko, a Japanese place in Streetsboro.

• ​Go-To Music: Upbeat fun music and Country.

• ​Faith: Leah is a Christian and focuses on spending time with family and friends.

​The Heart of a Multi-Sport Athlete

​Leah is a dedicated athlete who plays Volleyball and Softball for both CVCA and a travel league. She started softball around age five and picked up volleyball in the 7th grade. She originally started playing just to fill time, but quickly fell in love with both.

​While she loves the game, her sports role models aren't famous pros—they're right next to her on the court. She says her role models are all of her teammates "because they are so awesome!" Her mother is also a huge role model, having "done so much" for her.

​Even though she's not currently in any school clubs, her involvement in sports keeps her schedule full and her spirit high!

Friends, Family, and a Fun Fact

​Leah has an incredible support system, and she's a supportive friend in return. She describes her friendships as "all so amazing" and loves her friends so much.

​When we asked how her friends would describe her, the answer was talkative! Leah says she always loves talking to someone about something, even if it's just chatting about random small things.

​She's also close with her family, including her two siblings. One of her favorite memories with her sister is every night she would come upstairs and they would watch a movie.

​And for a fun fact that reveals her hidden talent? Leah can walk a quite long distance on her hands! She picked up this skill when she was a dancer at Candance Academy.

​The Power of Motivation

​What drives Leah every day to give her best effort? The answer is her mom! ​"What drives me everyday to give my best effort is my mom's motivation. She really is my biggest supporter. Being at all of my sports events, telling all her friends mine and my siblings accomplishments. She just really is my family's biggest supporter."

​Leah's strong work ethic and focus on helping others clearly come from a place of support and love, which is truly beautiful.

​On Challenges and High School Life

​Leah believes one of the biggest challenges for high school girls today is academic stress. She shared that she is "the type of person that always needs to have good grades, or I feel like I'm failing school." She puts a lot of stress on herself to meet those high expectations, which can cause stress and anxiety.

​She also shared a relatable and honest "cringe" moment from her past:

​"My most embarrassing moments were in 5th grade when I used to try to be a mean popular girl, so I would try and 'flirt' and just be straight up mean. Still telling these stories to this day makes me cringe up."

​It takes great maturity to look back and share a moment like that!

​Her favorite school memory was her last year at her old school (7th grade), where she made lasting memories with her friends before moving on to CVCA.

​Inspiration and Irritations

​Leah is driven by kindness and good sportsmanship. She says that what truly irritates her and gets under her skin is: ​"...when others put people down for their entertainment or to make themselves look good. I just think it's the worst possible look on someone to be rude."

​When looking at the photos that inspired her to join the Teen Team, she loved the work that was all about fun and color.

​"I loved some of the valentine photoshoots you guys have done. I love the flowers and the mirror photos. I just think with the red and all of [the fun] atmosphere to be where everyone is laughing and having fun."

​Coffee Talk and Taylor Swift

​Does Leah prefer Dunkin' or Starbucks? She's a self-proclaimed "crazy Starbucks girl!" Her go-to order is a Strawberry Açaí with light ice and vanilla cold foam, or for a coffee vibe, a Caramel Macchiato. (Though she'll grab a vanilla latte and a bacon egg and cheese croissant when her mom takes her to Dunkin'!)

​And for all the Swifties out there, Leah says she's a "very middle party" when it comes to Taylor Swift. She appreciates her as an "amazing songwriter and singer," loves some of her older songs, but doesn't feel the newer music is for her.

​Embracing Insecurity and Being a Role Model

​When applying for our Teen Team, Leah shared that her biggest motivation was to learn and embrace all of her insecurities and to help other girls learn that if she can embrace them, they can too. She is bringing an incredible set of qualities to the team.

​Three things she is most proud of about herself are how easily she can make friends, how athletic she is in her sports, and her long eyelashes (which she jokes are both a blessing and a curse!).

​We are so thrilled to welcome Leah to the Teen Team! Her big heart, strong drive, and goal to help others embrace their confidence are exactly what this team is all about. Follow along for more of Leah's journey!