Honoring the all-stars

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT BEACH -- Corona del Mar High School senior Jeff Lee spent his

first two years on campus eating Twinkies and Ding Dongs until he

received an award from the queen of Iran for work on an Iranian newspaper

and book that, he said, shocked him out of his sugar stupor.

“I realized that success requires sheer will and determination,” Lee

said.

Lee went on to win second place in the Johns Hopkins National Talent

Search and become an AP Scholar with Distinction while still in high

school.

For his numerous achievements, Lee was honored Thursday as an Academic

All-Star, along with the other top 29 students from Corona del Mar and

Newport Harbor high schools.

The event, sponsored by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach

Chamber of Commerce, enabled the students to gain public recognition for

their intensive efforts both on campus and off over the past four years.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate students’ accomplishments as a public

thing,” said Sharon Fry, principal of Corona del Mar High.

Bruno Campos, whose son Kevin was honored for his accomplishments in

the classroom and on the soccer field at Newport Harbor High School, said

he was proud of his son’sachievements.

“I never had to look at his homework or his college applications,”

Bruno said. “All I had to do was give him my credit card for his

applications. He’s very driven.”

Andrea Gruber, who was recognized for academic achievements, sports

involvement at Corona del Mar High and community work with Hoag Hospital,

said the local community is extremely supportive of students who want to

volunteer.

“The community is so open to having young people reach out and help,”

Gruber said.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .