Burke, Leas top scholar-athletes

Burke bound for Columbia; Leas heading to Virginia

When Riley Burke wasn’t playing the violin, shewas feeding the hungry.

When William Leas wasn’t the student body president, he was busy organizing 1,000 students from more than 30 nations during a week-long conference.

Their commitment to excellence in multiple areas, and ability to adeptly juggle numerous responsibilities, are why they were chosen by their schools, and recognized by the Sun Sentinel, as 2013-14 scholar athletes for Palm Beach County. The two highlight a group of overachievers in athletics, academics and beyond.

“This is kind of crazy,” Leas said. “I guess it is a testament to the hard work I have put in the classroom and on the field.”

Leas, a senior at St. Andrew’s, was selected because he had a 4.25 GPA, was 17th in his class andwill attend the University of

Virginia. He was involved with Junior Achievement. He was student body president and was involved with Round Square, a conference which attracts thousands of students across the world and discusses ways of making their schools better.

Burke, a Benjamin senior, was chosen because she had a 4.0 GPA, she’s attending Columbia and she founded The Sunshine Club, a group that raised money for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and prepared Thanksgiving meals for the hungry among other tasks.

“My parents joke that I don’t get much sleep,” Burke said. “Honestly, I don’t know how I’ve done it. I just find away to go for it.”

Leas played football and lacrosse while maintaining his grades and other commitments.

Former St. Andrew’s lacrosse coach R.J. Dawson, now an assistant, said Leas was always determined but found a way to put others first.

“Last year in a playoff game, we asked him to take face-offs and he was dominant,” Dawson said. “Next game, he didn’t take many face-offs. Most high school kids would pout, kick and scream but he just went to work and did what was asked of him.”

Benjamin Athletic Director Ryan Smith said Burke’s greatest feature was her ability to always give “110 percent” to everything she did.

“She’s either the best,” Smith said. “Or she’s one of the best.”

Smith said Burkewas her class valedictorian. She was the captain and leading scorer on the basketball team while running track. She’s also a classical violinist who is heavily involved with community service, he said.

Burke stood out even when she applied to Benjamin, Smith recalled.

“She spent time with our principal and did an hour interview,” Smith said. “Right away, we knew how incredibly talented she was.”

Leas said he is leaning toward majoring in public policy. He also hopes to walk onto the club lacrosse team and if itworks out, Virginia’s varsity lacrosse team.

His goal in life is to become a lawyer but he could take an interest politics, too.

Burke will major in neuroscience or music. Her goal would be to cross the two by examining if music therapy could help with curing Alzheimer’s Disease.

“I’ve wanted to stay true to myself and my values,” Burke said. “But at the end of the day, I cannot believe what I have achieved.”

PALM BEACH POST PHOTO Riley Burke had a 4.0 GPA, founded The Sunshine Club, a group that raised money for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and prepared Thanksgiving meals for the hungry.

COURTESY PHOTO William Leas had a 4.25 GPA, was 17th in his class and was student body president at St. Andrew’s.