Her Mantra: Service Begins with Listening
Whether Jessica Lee ’27 is volunteering at a local hospital, organizing cancer-awareness workshops across O‘ahu or researching at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, Lee is driven by a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves access to information and care that can help them thrive.
This passion was instrumental in earning her the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor presented by the United States Congress to young people for achievement in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and leadership. The application process took three years, reflecting the breadth of her interests and commitments.
Her work in advocacy started in the eighth grade, after losing her grandfather to lung cancer. She began to see healthcare through a different lens, noticing how language barriers, cultural differences and limited access to information could make an already difficult situation even more overwhelming for patients and families.
“I realized there were pockets of people in our community who were being underserved,” Lee said. “I wanted to find a way to help.”
That desire led her to volunteer at St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawai‘i, where she has logged more than 400 hours assisting elderly patients through daily activities, companionship and engagement while also supporting hospital operations behind the scenes.
“Through volunteering, I met families who were struggling in similar ways,” she said. “I wanted to help empower people with education and resources so they could advocate for themselves.”
A Varsity I golfer, Lee recently helped lead Punahou’s girls golf team to a state championship. She is also a violinist with the Academy Symphony Orchestra and an active member of Punahou’s Math Team.
Still, it is her passion for health advocacy that has become her defining pursuit.
Inspired by mentors including Vanessa Van Gorder ’95 Distajo, physician Dr. Aimee Grace ’00 and epidemiologist Thomas Lee ’05, the Academy senior founded CHAMP (Cancer Health Awareness and Mindfulness Program), a nonprofit organization focused on cancer education and prevention.
Through CHAMP, she has organized workshops at community centers, libraries and public spaces around Hawai‘i, helping residents learn about cancer risks, prevention strategies and available resources.
This summer, Lee plans to expand the organization’s reach through educational media initiatives and a skin-cancer awareness event at Ala Moana Beach Park.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have,” she said. “When people understand their health, they can make better decisions for themselves and their families.”
At Punahou, Lee recently stepped into a leadership role with Caring of the Elderly, an Academy student organization that serves kupuna in the Mānoa community. She is also pursuing a Global Distinction through the Wo International Center and will travel to Thailand this summer as part of a global health service-learning program.
Like many student leaders, Lee has faced challenges along the way. Building partnerships for her nonprofit required persistence, patience and resilience. Many emails went unanswered, and opportunities didn’t always materialize as planned. Still, she learned to keep moving forward.
“If you’re passionate about something, don’t be afraid to start,” she said. “Even if it doesn’t work immediately, your passion will carry you through.” Looking ahead, Lee hopes to pursue a future in medicine and public health, continuing her work at the intersection of healthcare, education and community service.
