🎓#1 Valedictorian – Caroline Lee
➡Next Steps: University of Oklahoma
đź“šField of Study: Management Information Systems
🦓Zebra Since: 6th Grade
đź”´ What advice would you give your freshman self?
"Get involved! People can be super intimidating at first but you get to meet so many new people through clubs and activities."
đź”´ Through my journey to becoming a valedictorian,
"This journey has taught me that I’m capable of achieving a goal I set for myself and that doing so takes resilience, consistency, and sacrifice."
đź”´ What does this accomplishment mean to you?
"Success isn't just about good grades but about the hard work you put in to earn them."
đź”´ What was the hardest part (challenges) you had to overcome to achieve this honor?
"The hardest part of achieving this honor was my natural urge to quit things. I'm really quick to say no and quit things that are hard, but quitting wasn't an option if I wanted to succeed."
đź”´ What are you most proud of in your high school career?
"I am most proud of competing in the OMTA piano state competition and getting a 1+. It took countless hours of practice and memorization to get to that point."
đź”´ Looking back on your school experience at CPS, what does being a Zebra mean to you?
"Being a Zebra is a reminder that I didn't complete this journey alone, but with the support of my peers and staff members."
đź”´ What elementary staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mrs. Cowgur, my first grade teacher from Williams Elementary in Farmington, AR, made the biggest impact on my life. She was really sweet and encouraging and never raised her voice. She supported me by coming to my basketball games outside of school (I wasn’t very good, so it’s a true honor that she came). She even still comments about me on my mom’s Facebook, even though I haven’t seen her for 9 years!"
đź”´ What junior high staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mr. Isenbart and Mrs. Rahn fueled my passion for STEM and without them I wouldn’t be on the career path that I’m on. Mr. Isenbart also gave me the confidence for public speaking and for that I’ll always be grateful."
đź”´ What Claremore High School staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mrs. Hammack and Mrs. Steidley made the biggest impact on my life by pushing me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to learn in new ways and take chances. Through their guidance, I learned valuable interview skills and was able to secure two engineering internships. I truly see them both as my mentors who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself."
đź”´ What school activities are you involved in?
"AP / Pre-AP Programs; Concurrent; Math Club / Mu Alpha Theta; National Honor Society; NTC; Robotics; SkillsUSA; TSA; Young Dems; President of Young Democrats"
đź”´ What is the ONE thing you will absolutely take with you to college?
"Ms. Garroutte's AP Calculus flipbook"
đź”´ Scholarships Awarded
"Oklahoma Regents’ Institutional Nominee, Oklahoma Academic Standards Institutional Nominee, University of Oklahoma President’s Community Scholars, Claremore Alumni Scholarship"
đź”´ Awards and Honors
"Student of the Month Freshman Year, Oklahoma High School Honor Society, Elks Lodge Award, and Merit Award for Piano"
đź”´ Anything else you'd like to add...
"It's been a great 7 years being a Zebra!"
#cpszebrapride