STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Woodside High School 12th grader Ariana Lee
Promotes community building through cooperation
Posted: May 28, 2025
Ariana Lee worked in many different settings during high school. Through that she figured out what she wants to pursue after graduation.
Lee will graduate from Woodside High School's Arts & Communications Magnet in June. Numerous community service commitments both inside and outside of school helped her decide to study political science and communications at Stanford University.
Designing and installing a flower garden, designing costumes and directing for theatre productions, helping to organize a prom and ring dance dress giveaway and serving on the Student Advisory Group on Education that meets regularly with the superintendent have all been part of her high school experience through numerous clubs and activities.
Lee started a social media page called The Needed Change where she shares history as it relates to modern-day politics. She created BeeChill non-profit organization centered around prioritizing mental health for teens.
"I feel like in this day and age we see a lot of ideologies for individualism and the fact that you should prioritize yourself over all others," Lee said. "Because of that, we've seen a decline in the social community and that has led to the decline in the circumstances of many marginalized groups. Within my work of serving the community, within my work of giving back to the government, I just want to ensure that we're all on equitable standings."
Government and community service have been her focus. Lee interned with several local politicians and wrote an article for "The Nation" to add her experience with current issues. Serving as an international trustee for Key Club International takes up a lot of her time as she travels to meetings and conventions to speak, lead workshops and share ideas.
Lee appreciates the academic rigor that has prepared her for college and the confidence gained through two particular NNPS teachers, one in middle school and one in high school, taking the time to listen and help her grow in the classroom as well as personally.
"The thing about NNPS that I really appreciate is the fact that the teachers truly care about the students," Lee said. "It seems as though it's not just this professional relationship. It's more of the personal relationships."
Adversities in school can be a good thing, according to Lee. They prepare students for future academic and personal challenges.
She recommends taking advantage of the many opportunities NNPS offers to students of all ages.
"Being that positive role model is something that I have always aspired to be," Lee said. "Joining the community together whether that's on district lines, whether that's on state lines, or internationally as I serve, is something that I think is incredibly important."
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