Ryley Just

January 29

A level ten gymnast, accepted into college and a sister, daughter and friend to many. Jasmine Lee is a senior at Central Kitsap high school and has just recently gotten accepted to Brown University. She has come a long way in gymnastics to be where she is now. When she goes to college she will miss her friends and her teachers. But she has a lot to look forward to at college such as, being part of a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) team and living on the east coast. Lee would use the words tenacious, hard working and compassionate to describe herself.

One of her closest friends, Hannah Robinson is excited to see her acceptance to university. “She’s an amazing choice to represent Brown because she never gives up! She perseveres through anything life throws her way and accomplishes it with grace. Her determination and drive is absolutely inspiring!” Robinson admires Lee’s passion for whatever she takes on in life. “She’s so dedicated to her passion for gymnastics, yet still finds time to ace her school life! If she’s not at gym, she’s doing homework. I always go to her when I don’t understand a math equation or an essay prompt because she always knows the answer!”

Balancing school and gym is a difficult task to handle. Lee says that she has found a way to prioritizing her time but sometimes, doesn’t get much sleep. Lee has been doing gymnastics for ten years and has found her love for the sport. “I tried many other sports (soccer, softball, dance) but did not take an interest in any of them. Also, my dad was a gymnast and has been a coach for many years, which influenced my decision.” Robinson has seen Lee at her happiest moments and knows just what makes her smile. She thinks “Some things that make Jasmine the happiest is when she gets to hang out with her friends, spending time with her family and dedicating her whole life to the sport that has given her some of the greatest memories and opportunities.”

Sarah Fisher, a teacher of Lee’s, has seen Lee at gymnastics meets and noticed her dedication to the sport and also in school. “She is very dedicated, she really cares about getting everything perfect. Jasmine doesn’t just want an A, she wants to learn in depth, how everything needs to be done.” Fisher loves having a student like Lee in class. “Great, she has a very positive attitude about learning. She comes to class with her work done. She seems sincerely curious about learning new things.” Brown University is an ivy league school and is hard to get accepted to. Fisher thinks that Brown made a good choice accepting Jasmine.

Lee has had a long journey through gymnastics. She started when she was seven at Olympic Gymnastics Center, she now competes at Cascade Elite West where her dad, Frank Lee, is her coach. She has gone through many injuries including an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear and a torn rotator cuff. Even with all her setbacks, she managed to make it to Junior Olympic (JO) nationals four times and was 2018 regional champion.

Going off to college means new experiences and new people, Lee hopes to meet new friends, take interesting classes and keeping with her schoolwork. Showing her leadership qualities and her work ethic, which she thinks are her best qualities, in college will help her success in college. Lee is most proud of winning 2018 regionals, being her gyms team captain and having her personal best meet this past weekend (1/26/19). Lee doesn’t exactly know where she will be in ten years just yet, but she thinks she will just be living life, traveling the world and chasing her aspirations.

Overall, Lee has been successful in achieving what she has set out to do, getting into a good college, moving up to level 10 in gymnastics and having a good group of friends that support her in her decisions. Brown University is a good choice for Lee and she is super excited to be able to go there. Fisher has said that getting to see Jasmine at her gymnastics meet this weekend was exciting, she noticed how particular Jasmine is with not just her gymnastics, but also in school. Jasmine Lee is a soon to be collegiate gymnast and a future Brown University (BU) bear. Her family is proud of what she has accomplished in her life so far and is ready to support her in her school life and her gymnastics.