Class of ’21 Senior Spotlight: Ronan Michael Lee

Name, city of residence:

Ronan Michael Lee, Watsonville

Grade you started at MMS:

Preschool

What inspires you?

My parents inspire me.

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

Biology would have to be my favorite. Learning about whole new worlds within us is fascinating to me. The things we know about how living things thrive and function is unprecedented.

If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would change the corruption in the political system.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

I would like to go to Sweden.

Name one big challenge in your life right now:

I’ve been reflecting on the challenges I’ve had to overcome within my life. One prime example would be my time with diabetes. I was diagnosed at the age of 5, and I have lived with it for as long as I can truly remember. Some of my first memories were running from needles. Well, all that being said, it wasn’t the diabetes itself that I had to overcome, it was the motivation that came with it. As life goes on and motivation begins to droop, it takes time and energy to get out of those slumps. Yet through this story, diabetes has had a major influence on my life. Without it I wouldn’t likely be going into the medical field. In some weird way, diabetes was a challenge and a blessing.

What is your dream job and why?

This could be anything in the medical field because of the ability to help people in need.

What are your three favorite things? 

Volleyball, kayaking and the beach.

Favorite book:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I liked it because it tells the tale of an unexpected journey, which like life has many unexpected turns; and their journey is very inspiring.

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to go to college and major in the medical field.

Something that you are proud of – and why: 

I’m proud of the people who are continuing to stay safe even though it’s not what they would like, and prioritize protecting others at their own expense.

Something that makes you smile:

Knowing that my friends and family are staying safe in a global pandemic makes me smile.

favorite MMS memory – and why?

During the Catalina trip to the Wrigley Center, two of the boys and I took a trip up the mountain, and it was a symbolic bond between boys. We will keep in touch through that memory.

Top three most played songs on your favorite playlist: 

“The Cave” by Mumford and Sons; “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield; and “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

During quarantine what have you done to keep yourself busy, or for fun? 

I really got into goldfish, I now have four awesome goldfish. 

Have you started new hobbies or anything interesting due to the pandemic? 

I started a class on psychology, so I could see the different views in people and try to understand them. I find it really interesting.

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Alumnus Braeden Will (’20) interviewed Ronan for this spotlight feature.

Following graduation from Mount Madonna I achieved my Eagle Scout ranking in the Boy Scouts of America, and have begun studies at Seton Hall University on the East Coast.