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 .
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.