LeEssa Dague: 2019 President's Medal Honoree

I really like what TCC stands for, which was equality and equity."

LeEssa is an 18-year-old Gig Harbor High School senior and Running Start student who is graduating with her high school diploma and an Associate of Arts in Biology degree. She plans to transfer to Western Washington University and major in biology. Her goal is to become a biology researcher and study how continued development has affected the environment and animal life, and how humans can improve their environmental footprint and find ways to reduce damage.

“Since second grade, I wanted to be a scientist, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure until I got to TCC, and that’s when I knew what I wanted to be,” she said. “I took classes, met with advisors and instructors, and they all helped me figure out where I wanted to go. My science professors were my role models and helped direct me what field in biology I want to study.”

At Western, LeEssa will be part of the Advancing Excellence and Equity in Science program, which aims to support under-represented minorities, first-generation students and women in majors in the natural sciences. Once established, LeEssa said she would love to mentor young female scientists and help them discover their paths.

“I really like what TCC stands for, which was equality and equity,” she said.

One thing she will miss at TCC? The geese.

“This spring, I saw geese laying their eggs on the buildings,” she said. One morning, I was walking to biology, and I saw goslings jump off the roof with their mom … I love the environment here.”