Senior Victoria Lee was recently named one of five Horatio Alger Hawaii State Scholars, by the Horatio Alger Hawaii Scholarship Program. Lee will receive a $7,000 scholarship award, renewable for up to six years.

Lee said, “I was encouraged by my English teacher, Miss O’Kelly, to apply for the scholarship which required submission of an online application, a support form, a high school transcript, an online certification form and income verification.”

The scholarship is a nationwide program which provides financial assistance to students who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and who aspire to pursue higher education.

Lee is the president of the Academy’s LEO club and a member of the LIFE team, the school’s student liturgical leaders. She is the tutoring coordinator for the National Honor Society, environmentalist for the Na Leo Hoonani Liturgical Corps, a member of the math team and Select Choir. Outside of school, Lee dances with the Phoenix Dance Chamber, which performs Chinese dances in the community, and serves as a volunteer with Hawaii Literacy.

Math department chair Deborah Kula said, “Victoria is a quiet but focused student. She completes all her work with extreme attention to detail and has developed the skills to dig to the heart of the matter. She works well with others. She’s been an enthusiastic participant in the math team and takes every opportunity to dig deeper.”

Lee expressed her gratitude for those adults who have helped her win the scholarship.

“I thank Mr. Fong, Miss O’Kelly and Ms. Miyahira who helped me complete the application. Also, my mother, since she helped and encouraged me to overcome these adversities.”