Dance Express Inc.
Competitive Dance Team
Training and performance in a team environment—balancing school, rehearsals, and leadership through choreography and peer mentorship.
Vancouver, BC · Grade 12 · FNH Student
Leah Tran | Aspiring Medical Professional & Health-Focused Learner
Grade 12 at Crofton House School—competitive dancer, volunteer in senior care and community health, and motivated to grow in medicine and healthcare.
Who I Am
A snapshot of who I am beyond the transcript.
Personality & passions
I am a committed Grade 12 student at Crofton House School, interested in health sciences and aspiring to become a physician. I care about strong communication and collaboration, and I am passionate about helping others while building my knowledge of medicine and healthcare—always open to new opportunities to grow as a learner.
Whether I am rehearsing late into the evening or spending a quiet afternoon outside, I try to stay grounded in gratitude. I care deeply about people feeling seen—especially those whose voices are easy to overlook. That instinct has drawn me toward spaces where empathy is part of the work: classrooms, studios, community settings, and care environments where patience is a skill you practice every day.
I am also endlessly curious. I like asking better questions, listening longer than feels comfortable, and learning from people who have lived longer and seen more than I have. I believe growth is relational: we become better when we let others teach us.
Why This Matters
What matters to me is the health of our communities—not only in clinics and gyms, but in everyday rhythms. I am concerned by trends that show many Canadians moving less, eating in ways shaped more by convenience than care, and aging without enough support to stay active and connected.
Canadian adults meeting physical activity guidelines
49.2%
A call to action—not a ceiling
Based on national health survey data on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (figures may vary by year and measure—verify with your instructor for citation requirements).
Physical activity and good nutrition are not luxuries; they are foundations. When we lose fitness at the population level, we pay for it in chronic disease, isolation, and lost independence—especially among older adults who deserve safety, respect, and opportunities to thrive.
My goal is to contribute to well-being on a larger scale: through education, advocacy, and evidence-informed practice that meets people where they are. I want to help build environments—social and physical—that make healthy choices easier, not harder.
Capstone
Capstone Project Spotlight
Exploring the nutrition, fitness, and well-being of patients in senior homes.
For my Capstone, I am examining how nutrition, movement, and emotional well-being intersect for residents in senior care. Older adults face unique barriers—from appetite changes to mobility limits—and I want to understand what supports work in real settings, not only on paper.
This project connects to my STEM and science coursework: asking clear questions, interpreting evidence responsibly, and communicating findings in ways that respect the people behind the data. I am especially motivated to learn from researchers and educators who bridge lab insight with community impact.
I look forward to learning from faculty in UBC’s Faculty of Science whose work reflects rigorous inquiry applied with human context—because the goal is not knowledge for its own sake, but knowledge that improves lived experience.
Three Homes
Three places that shaped how I lead, listen, and grow.
Dance Studio
Discipline, artistry, and mentorship
The studio is a second home where time management is survival and technique is honesty. Hours repeat until lines look effortless, and I have learned that progress is rarely dramatic—it is the accumulation of small corrections.
Teaching younger dancers stretched my patience and leadership. I had to explain what I barely understood myself, which forced me to learn more deeply. I left rehearsals tired, but grounded: movement as community, not competition alone.
Activities & Experience
Professional experience—Fraser Health record keeping at Transform Medical, geriatric physician shadowing, daycare administration, and private math tutoring—alongside dance, retail, rehab, school leadership, and community programs. Volunteering is highlighted in depth just below.
Transform Medical
Fraser Health Record Keeping · Jan 2026–present · Remote
Reviewing and organizing roughly a year of information on hospital transfers and residents’ health in care homes; building spreadsheets physicians use to analyze and structure their project. Strengthens organization, data analysis, and knowledge of illnesses and challenges common among seniors—plus exposure to medical platforms, documentation, and reflective judgment on transfers and what might have been done differently.
Physician Shadowing Experience
Jun 2024–present · Burnaby, BC · ~1 yr 11 mos
Shadowing a physician across multiple senior care homes—patient inspections, diagnoses, and individualized treatment plans. Reinforced how positive interactions, compassion, and bedside manner support well-being, and deepened grounding in geriatric care and high-quality attention for older adults.
Private Tutor
Self-employed · Sep 2022–Aug 2023 · Burnaby, BC
Guided students through challenging math using varied approaches—meaningful gains in understanding and engagement. Encouraged problem-solving and resilience. Created a supportive environment where students felt confident and comfortable taking on hard problems.
Aubrey Daycare Centre
Administrative Assistant (contract, part-time) · Aug 2024–present · Hybrid · Burnaby, BC
Office support through paper filing systems and organized record-keeping for the centre. Light accounting tasks and data entry for accurate financial records. Keeps the workspace tidy and efficient while supporting daily administrative workflows. Also volunteers with children’s care and activities at the centre (ongoing).
Crofton Manor
Volunteer / Community presence
Supporting residents through companionship and presence; learning patience, empathy, and communication across generations.
Seton Villa Retirement Centre
Volunteer — resident interviews · Sep 2024–present
Interviewing residents to capture preferences and needs for person-centred care; entering accurate data into the Seton Villa database. Strong practice in communication, patience, and adaptability—and meaningful moments that brighten residents’ days.
Student Ambassador — Crofton House School
Leadership & tours · Sep 2022–present
Welcoming and guiding prospective families on school tours—programs, facilities, and community. Communicating mission, values, and educational offerings clearly; maintaining a professional presence that reflects the school with pride and integrity.
Junior Peer Tutoring — Crofton House School
Peer tutor · Nov 2023–present
One-on-one tutoring for elementary students in math, science, and language arts, with lessons adapted to individual learning needs. Mixing teaching techniques and tools so concepts land—plus patience and encouragement so young learners build confidence in a supportive environment.
Lee's Donuts — The Amazing Brentwood
Team member
Customer service and teamwork in a fast-paced retail environment—building reliability, communication, and composure during busy service.
Launch Rehab — North Burnaby (Kensington Square)
Volunteer
Supporting the clinic team at Launch Rehab’s North Burnaby studio (Kensington Square). Assisted with cup therapy under the guidance of a physiotherapist, while learning how rehab professionals coordinate safe, client-centred care.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Food Hub, fundraising & special-events volunteer
Food Hub (2022–present): packaging and distributing food with teammates so clients feel supported during difficult times. Charity Gift Wrapper (2023): seasonal fundraiser—efficient, high-quality wrapping and strong donor service. Special Event Arts & Crafts Helper (2022–present): crafts, face painting, and children’s activities at events—inclusive, vibrant experiences for families alongside organizers and fellow volunteers.
Volunteering
Long-term roles across Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Seton Villa, Crofton House School, and Aubrey Daycare—food security, senior care, admissions and tutoring, and early-years support.
Food Hub Volunteer
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Aug 2022–present · 3 yrs 9 mos
- Package and distribute food supplies efficiently for individuals and families in need.
- Help sustain a welcoming food bank atmosphere where clients feel valued during difficult periods.
- Work with volunteers and staff for a smooth flow from food intake through distribution.
Resident Interviews
Seton Villa Retirement Centre
Sep 2024–present · 1 yr 8 mos
- Interview residents to capture information that supports care tailored to preferences and needs.
- Use technology and clear organization to enter accurate data in the Seton Villa database.
- Practice communication, patience, and adaptability with seniors.
- Show up for meaningful interactions that brighten residents’ days.
Charity Gift Wrapper
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Nov 2023–Dec 2023 · 2 mos
- Supported a gift-wrap fundraiser—high-quality, timely wrapping under busy conditions.
- Coordinated with teammates to manage demand, steady workflow, and shorter wait times for donors.
- Offered friendly, personalized service so donors felt good about how their gifts looked.
Junior Peer Tutor
Crofton House School
Nov 2023–present · 2 yrs 6 mos
- Tutor elementary students one-on-one in math, science, and language arts with lessons matched to each learner.
- Combine varied teaching techniques with encouragement so concepts click and confidence grows.
- Bring patience and understanding to a supportive space where young students can thrive.
Student Ambassador
Crofton House School
Sep 2022–present · 3 yrs 8 mos
- Welcome and guide prospective families on tours covering programs, facilities, and community.
- Communicate mission, values, and academic offerings in ways that build genuine interest.
- Represent the school with consistent professionalism on every tour.
Daycare Volunteer
Aubrey Daycare Centre
Jul 2022–present · 3 yrs 10 mos
- Support attentive, nurturing care and safety for children alongside staff.
- Help keep spaces clean and organized for children’s health and hygiene.
- Facilitate age-appropriate activities and play-based learning for cognitive and social growth.
Special Event Arts and Crafts Helper
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Jun 2022–present · 3 yrs 11 mos
- Lead arts and crafts, face painting, and children’s programming at special events—joyful experiences for families regardless of means.
- Foster a welcoming, creative atmosphere rooted in inclusivity and community.
- Coordinate with organizers and volunteers so activities run smoothly for attendees.
Projects
Independent initiatives that combine creativity, organization, and outreach—raising funds and visibility for causes that matter.
Pink Pearl Designs
Sep 2022–Mar 2023
- Launched a jewelry business that raised over $1000 for the Kids Safe charity.
- Promoted the brand through social media and in-person networking to reach a wide audience.
- Managed inventory, order fulfillment, and sales coordination end-to-end—smooth operations and strong customer satisfaction.