When I first got to Milwaukee, I was terrified.
I didn't know anybody,
I was really shy.
UWM really brought me out of my shell.
My name is Leah Letson.
I'm graduating with a criminal justice and
psychology degree with a
minor in sociology.
I've been in
Taekwondo since I was 5 years old, and so
when I got to UW-Milwaukee, I wanted to find
another martial art that I could get
into.
The Sport and Rec Department
offered jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts,
so I decided, why not try it while I'm here.
I absolutely fell
in love with the sport.
Winning my first fight, the experience was
amazing.
As soon as I
walked out of the cage I knew for sure
that this is what I wanted to do for the rest
of my life.
Well, for as long as I can do it.
I have always been
interested in making a difference and
making a contribution to my country.
I am in the Wisconsin Air National Guard and
I am a surveillance
technician.
I'm really proud that I can
serve my country.
Graduation means a lot to
me because I am the first person in my
immediate family to graduate from
college.
With the military, and
fighting and everything going on outside
of school, it means a lot that I was able
to
accomplish two majors.
UWM has been the place that has really transformed
me from the young, shy, 18-year-old, into
the adult,
airman, professional athlete and role
model I am today.
