Jeffrey Lee: strong finish, bright future

The Blue Valley Virtues, compassion, courage, honesty, perseverance, respect, responsibility and self-discipline, lead to happy endings and bright futures. Blue Valley North senior Jeffrey Lee is living proof.  As his high school career comes to a close, a recent series of high caliber wins proves that great things can happen when someone follows through with a well-balanced commitment to success.

A 2009 AP Scholar, Lee is an active community volunteer, a varsity soccer mid-fielder and a nationally recognized stand-out in his favorite sport: golf. He is one of 24 students (12 boys and 12 girls) across the United States named to the 2009 American Junior Golf Association (AGJA) HP Scholastic Junior All-American Team. Selections for the honor were based on grade-point average, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, community service, golfing ability and writing skills. Applicants also had to place in the top ten at an AGJA event.  Lee's moment came in Springfield, Mo. when he claimed the Boys Division of the Bass Pro Shops/Payne Stewart Junior Championship July 27-29, 2009.

In addition to AGJA golf, Lee has been a leading player for his school's varsity golf team since his freshman year consistently delivering top scores and helping to secure a strong second place finish for the 2008-09 state title.

"You can't be good at golf without exemplifying each of the Blue Valley Virtues," said Blue Valley North Golf Coach Susan O'Dell. "As a sport, golf is all about those virtues, and Jeffrey sets the right example. He lives right. Short of being a major part of our scoring machine, the most important contribution he makes is that he is a quiet leader. He sets high goals for himself academically and athletically; he never quits and he never complains. He is the kind of student you want the other kids looking up to."

Beyond academic and athletic excellence, Lee also maintains an active volunteer schedule.  He participates in "Mustang Mentoring" Blue Valley North's freshmen transition program. He serves meals to the needy through his church and helps at local charity events such as Abby’s Run and the Head for the Cure 5K Walk and Run (benefitting brain cancer awareness and research).

"I feel like I make a difference when I'm volunteering. It allows me to see how fortunate we really are and this gives me a much more positive outlook on life," said Lee. 

When asked how he achieves high levels of success in so many areas he said: "Focus and hard work are key. My parents always stressed that good grades will help me get what I want out of life and golf is a huge part of that.  So, when it's time to do well in school, I focus on school.  When it's time to play golf, I focus on that. I can be good at both."

For Lee, his efforts have earned him top honors and a bright future.  His spot on the 2009 American Junior Golf Association (AGJA) HP Scholastic Junior All-American Team makes him eligible to compete in the Polo Golf Junior Classic, one of the most prestigious events in junior golf in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. As for the long term, Jeffrey is considering an engineering degree.  He is talking with representatives from several colleges and universities interested in his golf abilities. 

"There are a lot of choices for students when it comes to how you spend your time," Lee said. "The key is to decide on what you want most. Once you are dedicated to something, nothing can really stop you."