2023 Students of Distinction
Hannah Lee succeeds in the long run
Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles of each of the Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. The students will be honored during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.
Student: Hannah Lee
School: Peninsula High School
Category: Athletic Achievement
Hannah Lee has lettered in soccer, track and cross country. She won the PHS Coach’s Award in 2021 for her prowess on the soccer field.
She’s especially proud that, coming back from the COVID shutdown, she and her teammates set new records in track and cross country. “Hard work paid off and it was great to be able to represent Peninsula at the state level in cross country and track,” she said.
In 2022 she placed 26th in cross country. At the state track meet, she finished seventh in the 1,600 meters, eighth in the 800 meters and was part of the 1,600-meter relay that finished seventh. She was also selected as a Scholar Athlete in cross country and track in 2021 and 2022.
Hannah Lee
She was captain of her track and field and cross country teams, MVP and USA Track and Field Female Youth Athlete of the Year, Girls Track and Field Athlete of the year and Cross Country Athlete of the Year for the Tacoma Athletic Commission.
Connecting with others
Not only does Hannah enjoy playing sports, she also enjoys going to other sporting events. She can often be found in the stands cheering for whichever PHS team is playing.
She also enjoys being involved in leadership and heads a group committed to breaking down the walls between students. “It connects us with other kids that we might not meet otherwise,” she said.
The biggest challenges for Hannah happened in her sophomore year when everyone had to be in isolation because of the pandemic. “I was so excited to be in high school, and then to have it all taken away. It was really hard. Fortunately I was able to find some apps to help me be self-motivated and I figured out ways to stay in touch with my friends,” she said.
Off to Reno
PHS track & field coach Dylan Hall noted that Hannah has “re-written our school’s record books and paved the way for other aspiring female athletes to redefine what is possible. She has thrived in her leadership role and displayed excellent communication skills and compassion toward her teammates which helped us reach new heights as a team. She has experienced such a high level of success in athletics while still being a great student and member of her local community…as one of our team’s most active community service volunteers.”
This fall Hannah plans to attend University of Nevada in Reno to major in education and human development. She hopes to become a teacher or physical therapist.
Her advice to incoming freshmen is to “…try everything, even if you have just a little bit of interest in it. You’ll find lots of classes you can take and there are so many things to do. You never know what you can do or what you might enjoy until you try it.”
Hannah Lee
GPA: 3.495
Parents: James and Stephanie Lee
Achievements/Activities: National Honor Society; Varsity letters in soccer, track and cross country; team captain – track and cross country; PHS Coach’s Choice Award in girls soccer; Tacoma Athletic Commission Athlete of the Year in track, cross country; USA track and field Female Youth Track Athlete of the Year; State medalist; Scholar Athlete – track and cross country; Nike Cross Regionals 3rd team
Favorite teacher: Mrs. Osera. “She always pushes students to achieve their full academic and personal potential. She has been an amazing mentor when it comes to applying for scholarships, writing essays and navigating all areas of life.”
Best thing about PHS: “The encouragement and inclusivity for all students and staff. Most people in the school make it a priority to make everybody feel seen and heard. Almost every student receives school support whether it is in theater, sports, arts, music or in the classroom.
There is a place for everybody no matter who they are or where they came from.”