🎓#9 Salutatorian – Jacob Michael Lee
➡Next Steps: Oklahoma State University
đź“šField of Study: Electrical Engineering
🦓Zebra Since: 9th Grade
đź”´ What advice would you give your freshman self?
"Don't be afraid to befriend upperclassmen. They're pretty chill most of the time."
đź”´ Through my journey to becoming a salutatorian,
"It's more fun to live and meet new people instead of being socially isolated."
đź”´ What are you most proud of in your high school career?
"I am most proud of my successes in the engineering program, specifically my capstone project."
đź”´ What were the hardest challenges you overcame to achieve this honor?
"The hardest part had to be balancing my extracurriculars while keeping my grades up and having enough time for myself."
đź”´ What does this accomplishment mean to you?
"It is comforting to see that my hard work, ever since elementary school, has paid off."
đź”´ Looking back on your school experience at CPS, what does being a Zebra mean to you?
"Being a Zebra means excelling at everything we do as a school—from fine arts, to robotics, to athletics—and beating Pryor on top of all of that."
đź”´ What elementary staff member impacted your life most, and how?
"It's a cop-out answer, but my mother as my Pre-K teacher at Justus-Tiawah really helped put me in my place."
đź”´ What junior high staff member impacted your life most, and how?
"Mrs. Heather Braucher from Justus-Tiawah was my social studies teacher at Justus-Tiawah Jr. High. She enlightened me to see people's differences and embrace them, and always push for equality for others."
đź”´ What high school staff member made the most significant impact on your life, and how?
"Between all of my pre-engineering instructors, to pick only one would be disrespectful, as all of them helped determine my future. More specifically, Mrs. Hammack, Mrs. Steidley, and Mrs. Coyle provided guidance and mentorship beyond what I could have ever asked for, and I cannot thank them enough for putting up with me."
đź”´ What activities have you been involved in?
"Academic Team; AP / Pre-AP Programs; Band (Concert and Marching); Concurrent; Guard (Winter Guard – 2 years); Math Club / Mu Alpha Theta; NTC; SkillsUSA; SAGA; Young Dems; Work Experience / Shadow / Internship (Career Development Program); National Technical Honor Society; Biomed Club"
đź”´ What is the one thing you will absolutely take with you to college?
"My Claremore Alumni Scholarship check."
đź”´ Scholarships
"Claremore Alumni Scholarship
OSU: Academic Excellence; Beverly and Curly Cowan; OK Engineering Initiative; Hunter Stone Endowed"
đź”´ Awards and Honors
"High School:
– Oklahoma Honor Society
– Z Awards (Geometry, AP Language and Composition, Geography)
– Biomedical and Engineering Program Completion
Claremore Alumni Scholarship Recipient
SkillsUSA:
– 1st place at Districts (Opening/Closing Ceremonies and Quizbowl)
– 2nd place at Aerogames RSU
Band:
– 1st place at Stallion Battalion 2024
– 5th place at OBA
– Multiple Superior Ratings in Percussion Ensembles
Winter Guard:
– 2nd place at two competitions (including state)
– 1st place at another competition
Academic Team Area Champion"
đź”´ Anything else you'd like to add...
"Although I hadn't listed them earlier, Coach Douthitt, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Garroutte, and Mr. Z all shaped me in their own ways, and I wouldn't be satisfied leaving high school without recognizing them for their inspiring dedication."
#cpszebrapride