Lelia Lemons is known for her inspiring presence at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability. Her counselor says her grace and humility enhance her already exceptional leadership abilities.
“Lelia consistently excels academically while also bringing joy, kindness, and positivity into every space she enters. She is deeply respectful, thoughtful, and always willing to support her peers,” said Shelby Adcock, Lead Professional School Counselor. “What makes Lelia stand out is her ability to lead with humility and grace, she inspires others simply by being herself. She embodies the values of our school through her character, her work ethic, and her commitment to uplifting others.”
Lelia will matriculate to university, preferably Yale, to study chemistry and neuroscience. Her ambition also includes getting a job in biomedical science or coaching competitive cheer for lower levels.
“My main career goal is to become a pharmaceutical scientist, but I also want to own a pharmaceutical company one day,” she said.
Her counselor further shares that Lelia is joyful and consistently respectful.
“Lelia is the kind of student who makes our school a better place every single day,” Adcock said. “She reminds me why I chose to go into education, and I am so proud to celebrate her as Student of the Month.”
Adcock’s testament to Lelia’s impact is the kind of influence this student says others have made on her own life.
“Someone who has made an impact on my life was a teacher named Ms. Stockton,” Lelia said. “She always told us to ‘make good choices’ which I think about every time I have to make a decision. Even though I never had her class, her effect on me has stood the test of time.”
Lelia said that one of the best decisions she’s made was traveling to Denmark with a pharmaceutical company with 99 teens from around the world.
“The experience was absolutely amazing, and the friends I made made it my biggest accomplishment in my eyes,” she said.
She plans to continue making decisions that bring her joy.
“My main motivator is having peace and ensuring that there is nothing that I regret not doing,” she said.
And that, she said, includes enjoying sleeping and eating good food.