Every graduating class has students who manage to navigate high school with equal parts determination and charm, and senior Jessica Lee is one such student. Over the past four years, she has balanced academics and activities with success that most would envy. As she prepares to go to college and finish up her senior year, she reflects on what she’s learned, what she’ll miss and a few tips for surviving Clements.
Aanya Chand: How would you sum up your high school experience?
Jessica Lee: High school was really fun, but it was also a lot of work. I wasn’t in AP classes, but doing dance, theatre and soccer at the same time made my schedule intense in its own way. I spent most afternoons my freshman year running from rehearsal to practice and most nights finishing homework half-asleep. I found a better balance as I went through the years and dropped extracurriculars. My schedule was never perfect, but it taught me how to manage my time and stay confident.
AC: What did dance mean to you during these four years?
JL: Dance became the place where I could reset. Even on stressful days, walking into the studio helped me breathe again. I loved dancing with the Stars, but after a while it became too much to manage. However, I still continued studio dance as it gave me good exercise, and I was also able to continue doing something I have always loved.
AC: How did theatre shape your high school life?
JL: Theatre gave me a community and became my favorite place to be by my senior year. Stage managing allowed me to be involved in everything when I worked on a show, and it taught me a lot about working with many different people. My favorite show to work on was “Matilda,” because of how close the cast was and how fun the rehearsal process was. I’ll always remember working on that show, and I feel like it’s given me more appreciation for the arts, as I love watching musicals on Broadway as well.
AC: Did you ever feel judged for taking on‑level classes?
JL: Yes, there’s a lot of pressure to take a lot of APs at Clements, and sometimes people assume you’re not trying if you don’t. But I realized that colleges care about your overall story, not just the labels on your classes. I still had a 4.0 GPA and was in the first quartile while taking a mix of AAC, dual credit and on level classes. I was able to work hard and maintain all A’s in high school, and did it in a way that I could also balance my extracurriculars.
AC: How did you approach your application to Texas A&M?
JL: I focused on showing commitment. I stayed involved in my activities all four years, and I wrote about how balancing them shaped me. My essay was honest about my experiences with dance and theatre, and I made sure to show my challenges and how I overcame them. I think A&M appreciated that I was well‑rounded and dedicated, and I was able to get into my top major–Biomedical Sciences.
AC: What advice would you give to freshmen just starting high school?
JL: Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Get involved in things that genuinely interest you, not just what looks good on paper. Take pictures, make memories and don’t be afraid to start over if something isn’t working. High school goes by faster than you expect, and the small moments end up mattering the most.
AC: How did you stay motivated during the parts of high school that felt repetitive or boring?
JL: A lot of high school felt the same when I was in my easier classes, but I felt like I always had a class that was somewhat hard or something going on after school that would motivate me to keep working. Listening to music and my favorite Broadway actors always helped me destress. I also tried to keep up with working out and doing dance so I could stay active when I didn’t have a lot of work.
AC: What’s something you wish more people understood about being involved in so many activities?
JL: It’s a lot of early mornings, late nights and missed social events and vacations. I always found it to be rewarding though, especially after I got into my dream college. I wish more people understood that you shouldn’t try to overwhelm yourselves and that what you’re doing will be enough in the end. Though I only kept theatre at the end, I made sure to do every show this year, and that made it worthwhile.
