Although Perry is the youngest high school in the Chandler Unified School District, it is on its way to unfolding new traditions, cultures, and most importantly: legends. Perry’s very own senior Jillian Leslie was accepted to Harvard University on Oct. 26 to play softball while also receiving a rigorous Ivy League education. She is the first student from Perry High School to be accepted to Harvard University, leaving an undeniable mark on the school.

“It is so surreal,” Leslie states, “I never actually expected to get in. It kind of felt like I was chasing a dead dream, but now that it’s happened, it’s the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me.” Leslie was recruited by the Harvard assistant softball coach Brandy Gordon, and after a challenging set of requirements, Leslie was able to triumph in this remarkable accomplishment.

“My coach told me the Harvard coach was interested,” Leslie explains,” I was kind of hasty at first, just because I didn’t think I could get in and I was already committed to ASU, but I pursued it, kept talking to them, and it ended up all working out.”
The journey to a Harvard acceptance was a difficult plight for Leslie. On top of a busy softball schedule that requires 30 hours of playing time in one week on tournament weekends and three hours of daily training on normal weeks, this hardworking softball player had to immediately look at many resources in order to fulfill the needed requirements. Leslie explains, “I took an ACT class with the princeton review: a 9 hour study time during the week.”
Leslie took the ACT seven times with her practices and actual tests.These classes were taken on top of AP courses and softball.

However, this was not the only challenge.
According to NCAA rules, the Harvard Assistant coach could not directly contact Leslie, leaving her the responsibility of persistently looking for Gordon.

“It’s mainly your effort that you have to put in order to pursue your college,” Leslie comments,”I called the assistant coach so many times that we now have a great relationship.”
Aside from looking for the right connections, other factors such as outstanding essays, interviews, tests, and especially gifted talents in the sport of softball have helped Leslie stand out in the classroom and on the field. It is not surprising, however, that this outstanding player was chosen by looking at her stats, as she racked up 100 strikeouts and 18 home runs in one season; the best record in Arizona.
“I always thought I worked really hard in school but I never thought I could accomplish this. I’m scared that its going to be hard,” Leslie says, “but I‘m definitely going to put in the effort because not all people get accepted and the fact that I was given the opportunity is the most amazing thing.”