Her plan goes beyond fitting shoes

Ryean Lee is going places.

She has the drive, work ethic, intelligence and people skills to do just about whatever she wants.

“Right now, I’m thinking of being in the dental field, a dentist or orthodontist. I notice people’s smiles a lot, and how the condition of their teeth affects their behavior,” Lee said.

Lee sports a big smile of her own.

“Although, forensic science appeals to me, too,” she says.

At 17, Lee possesses a maturity and calmness beyond her years. “I have been told I’m mature for my age,” Lee said.

Lee is a senior at Olympic High School in the business program and in AP honors classes, and has a cumulative GPA of 3.8.

“I want to go to (Central Piedmont Community College) to take my core classes,” she said. “That way I can live at home, work, and help my mom. And then I want to go to Winston Salem.”

Lee was born in Columbus, Ohio, and is the youngest of three children and the only girl. When she was 2, the family moved to Tijuana, Mexico, for her father’s job.

“We lived in Mexico for about two years, and then moved back to the States,” Lee said. After living in California and Ohio, the Lee family settled in the greater Charlotte area about seven years ago.

“I love living in Steele Creek a lot. It’s nice, quiet and the people are friendly,” Lee said. “I really like all of Charlotte.”

“My 4-year-old nephew and 3-year-old niece stay over a lot, and I have so much fun with them. I also had fun helping out at Plaza Fiesta a while back. Little kids are great.”

That attitude, coupled with her ability to find shoes that fit babies and toddlers, has made Lee a great asset for the Stride Rite Shoe Store at SouthPark mall. “I like my job a lot,” Lee said.

For fun, Lee enjoys reading biographies and hanging out with family and friends. The daughter of Lisa and Ryan Lee, Ryean is named after her father.