About Kaan

Kaan Ingec was born in Bellevue, Seattle, on March 27, 2002, to Turkish immigrant parents. Growing up in Redmond, he was deeply immersed in the local Turkish community, participating in Turkish cultural activities like choir, folklore dancing, and band performances. Kaan's childhood was marked by regular visits to Turkey, allowing him to maintain a strong connection with his Turkish heritage and family. He now attends the University of Washington, majoring in Computer Science, and helping to establish a Turkish club to connect with others of Turkish heritage. Despite his American upbringing, Kaan maintains a strong sense of Turkish identity, speaking Turkish at home and enjoying Turkish traditions and food. He feels a blend of Turkish and American influences in his life, exemplified by his participation in both cultures' festivals and his bi-cultural household dynamics. He sees his family as neither traditionally Turkish or completely Americanized, but rather a unique intersection between the two. He is open to possibly living in Turkey later in life, but currently has no plans to do so.