PEOPLE

LIFE

By Brianna Hoge

Defying odds has become the anthem of Matthew Leong’s life, and his latest feat was crossing the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s stage during the 2022 spring commencement ceremony.

Being born at 24 weeks’ gestation and weighing only 14 ounces, Leong had complications including retinopathy of prematurity, an abnormal blood vessel growth in the light-sensitive part of the eye that can lead to bleeding and scarring. This condition led to Leong’s being blind in his left eye, but he was not going to let this stop him from going to college.

The Vestavia Hills native grew up knowing about UAB; but he became very familiar with the campus thanks to his mom, Tammy, who completed her residency at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, and Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., professor in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, who treated Leong at the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation.

“We are so very proud of Matthew’s perseverance and accomplishments,” said Matthew’s mom, Dr. Tammy Leong. “I think the key to his success lies with the fact that his father and I were asked very early on what our dreams for him were. His entire educational plan was structured around those goals and it required us to plan for the future and stay ten steps ahead at all times. He could not have made it this far without the support of some amazing medical professionals, educators, and rehabilitation counselors, to whom we will be eternally grateful.”

After he graduated from high school, UAB was one of Leong’s top choices and receiving a scholarship from the university helped secure his dream.

Before starting his UAB journey in fall 2017, Leong was nervous about attending college due to his disabilities. Once he arrived on campus, he discovered that the UAB Office of Disability Support Services would be there to help him every step of the way.

“The DSS office played a huge role during my time at UAB,” Leong said. “They were great to work with and have helped me receive accommodations for my classes, which allowed me to be successful.”

During his time at UAB, the criminal justice major was involved in campus life and served as the assistant director of gaming advancement for the Good Games UAB club — a club that supports the UAB gaming community by hosting events centered on esports and tabletop gaming.

One of the highlights of Leong’s college career has been completing an internship with a private security agency to gain valuable experience before heading out into the real world.

“Security Engineers is one of the largest private security companies in the Southeast, and many of the employees and upper management are alumni of UAB,” said Martha Earwood, teaching assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Criminal Justice. “Their leadership worked with Matthew and provided a very determined student an experience that helped him make it to the finish line of his college degree.”

Leong would like to pursue a career in the private security field and eventually continue his higher education journey through a graduate program.

“I am thankful to my family and friends, all of the professors in the College of Arts and Sciences, the DSS office and Joey Richey at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services for their help and support in helping me in my journey to cross the UAB commencement stage.”

‘I think the key to his success lies with the fact that his father and I were asked very early on what our dreams for him were.’

MATHEW’S MOM DR. TAMMY LEONG

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Call 205-542-6094 LocaLLy owned and operated UAB graduate Matthew Leong, above with his mother Dr. Tammy Leong. Matthew was born at 24 weeks’ gestation and weighed only 14 ounces.

Brianna Hoge is a public relations specialist with UAB.

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Tierney Brothers Share Eagle Court of Honor

Brothers Paul and Ben Tierney of Boy Scout Troop 96 shared their court of honor April 3 at Faith Presbyterian Church with family and friends.

Paul officially earned the rank during the COVID shutdown but did not have the chance to celebrate his achievement. When Ben earned the rank in February, a joint celebration seemed in order.

Both boys earned the Arrow of Light as Cub Scouts and went on to become members of the Order of the Arrow, with Paul becoming a Brotherhood Member. The brothers both earned 30+ merit badges and held multiple leadership positions over the years.

Paul received several special awards, including BSA Lifeguard, Polar Bear (2), Snorkeling BSA, 50-Miler (2), NOA Camping Gold, Silver, Bronze and Gold Palm. Additionally, he was a NOAC Delegate in 2015.

Ben also received several special awards, including Polar Bear (2), 50-miler and NOA Camping Gold, Bronze and Gold Palm.

Both boys built structures for Camp Fletcher, a non-profit camp for underprivileged children in Bessemer. They both raised the money for the materials, had their plans approved and assembled fellow scouts to help build the structures.

Paul constructed six, 6-foot-long picnic tables for the pavilion where the children could sit and eat.

Ben constructed six, 6-foot-long benches and a portable gaga pit for games.

Ben is a senior at Heritage Christian Academy and will be headed to join his brother and sister at Auburn University in the fall. Ben Tierney Paul Tierney

Gri Cashio Awarded Eagle Scout Rank

Gri Cashio in March earned the highest rank awarded by the Boy Scouts and now is an Eagle Scout.

Cashio comes from a strong scouting family. His grandfather, three uncles and two cousins are all Eagle Scouts.

Gri is a member of Troop 320 from Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. Since joining Troop 320, Gri has held several leadership positions. He has been a patrol leader, an assistant patrol leader and a historian, and he was elected by his troop members to the Order of the Arrow.

While a Boy Scout, Gri hiked and backpacked 295 miles with 76 nights of camping, earning 74 merit badges. His most memorable camping trip was Philmont, where he was accompanied by fellow troop members and his father.

For Gri’s Eagle project, he removed three outdoor bulletin boards at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church and replaced two of them. The bulletin boards sit along the nature trail that surrounds the church property. He enlisted the help of fellow Troop 320 members along with family and friends on the project.

Gri is a junior at Mountain Brook High School, where he plays varsity football and is on the track team. Gri is the son of Meredith and Greg Cashio. He and his family are members of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Gri Cashio

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