May 2011 #2: Mary Leong

If there is only one word to describe Mary Leong, it may very well be “ardent.” No, she is not an ardent follower, but rather, an ardent role model. Having a keen interest in politics, and currently pursuing a political science major, Mary organized a vote mob at UBC this past April to encourage students to participate in the recent election.

It was a project that had originated at the University of Guelph in Ottawa. After Mary saw the potential and impact of bringing a group of youth together to spread the message about the elections, she sought to duplicate the effect at UBC. Initially, it wasn’t an easy task, but with the help of social media and word of mouth among students, the event saw a sizeable turnout.

Although she is very active in student government at UBC, she claims to be non-partisan and doesn’t see herself getting involved in the political system in the future. “I’m more interested in working with the grassroots movement,” she says. To Mary, it is more crucial for people, especially youth, to be in the know of what’s going on, and then through their knowledge, create more informed opinions and make better judgments.

This girl may be a political junkie, but there are also things outside of the political scope which inspire and engage her. She recalls picking up and reading the newspaper every day as a kid. “I grew up in a family where current issues and events were frequently talked about.” Having been born in Singapore, living in Taiwan, and moving to Canada a few years ago, Mary is definitely your modern day cosmopolitan girl. Without a doubt, it was this exposure and curiosity that sparked Mary’s interest in politics.

And I can guarantee that this persona isn’t just for the show. As I got to know her off-air, I was even more taken by her pure enthusiasm, as she informed me of the unique political system in Singapore and talked about her undying love for musical theatre.

About the Author: Richelle Zheng

Richelle is a grade twelve student at Prince of Wales Secondary. She loves writing, photography and travel. To her, hockey + K-pop + Twitter is the best combination on any given night. Richelle dreams unrealistically of living in Manhattan someday.

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