As a sophomore, Desmond Lee loved sports, however, he felt like being out there playing them might not be for him. Still wanting to be involved, Desmond decided to get into photography not knowing where it would take him. 

“If it wasn’t for me randomly sending Mrs. Wood an article freshman year I don’t know where I would be,” he said about how he first joined Summer Creek Press.

Desmond is now very comfortable doing work in the journalism room, but it wasn’t always like that. He shared that he has learned a lot to get to where he is. 

“I personally remember being in newspaper sophomore year and not talking to anyone,” he said. “I also remember comparing myself to other photographers. I had to learn that everyone has different routes, but in order to begin mine, I had to open up and stay in my lane.” 

Now known on Instagram as D. Lee, Desmond plans to use what he has learned to guide him through college as he moves on from high school.

“I plan on using what I learned from Mrs. Wood these past four years by putting them to work whenever I find myself questioning how to do something,” he said. “I would love to pass information to my classmates in college, information that I know that I have learned.” 

During his high school journey, Desmond has made many special memories, however one stands out above all as his favorite. 

“My favorite memory is when Dr. Mahony asked me to sign his newspaper,” he said. “It was an article I made about Summer Creek’s victory over our rivals, Atascocita.” 

As someone who’s been there himself, Desmond knows what it’s like to be a beginner and wants to help teach those who are in the shoes he once was. “Something I would tell a beginner is don’t let anything hold your talent back,” he said.