Get to Know Lee-Ann Lehmann

St. Mary’s exchange student Lee-Ann Lehmann is experiencing quintessential American high school: studying with friends, watching football games on the weekends, and catching up on the latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Lee-Ann always imagined being an exchange student would be like TV, but her experiences at St. Mary’s have taken her beyond what she’s seen on screen.

“I always saw American high school in the movies and imagined it like High School Musical,” said Lee-Ann. “I was surprised to go to an all-girls school, but St. Mary’s is still very high school.” 

From uniforms and dining hall lunches to Chapel and extracurricular clubs, Lee-Ann is making the most of her time at SMS. Choosing boldly to study abroad for a full year, she embodies the courage and honor our school embraces every day. 

Lee-Ann joined our sophomore class this August from Bad Salzungen in Thuringia, Germany, just northeast of the Thuringian Forest in central Germany. Through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), Lee-Ann submitted her application to spend a year abroad in the United States after finishing 10th grade back home.  

“The school system is a little different in Germany,” Lee-Ann explained. Lee-Ann attends a school that runs for 12 years – the highest level of secondary education – culminating in graduation after 10th grade. 

As a recent 10th-grade graduate, Lee-Ann can opt into 11th and 12th grade to continue her education before college. She noted, “It’s a really good time to do the exchange because it’s like a clean cut. And then I want to continue to 11th grade.” 

While her extensive education might make St. Mary’s academics familiar, there are other facets of campus life that have redefined Lee-Ann’s expectations. “We don’t have Chapel at home, but it’s a nice marking point in the day to listen to someone talk about their passions,” she reflected.

As Lee-Ann settles into St. Mary’s, she’s excited to make memories and lasting friendships. Her desire to discover, explore, and grow is just the beginning of her own all-American story, better than anything seen on the big screen. 

“I feel like I belong,” Lee-Ann said with a smile. “I enjoy spending time with people, making friends, and I’m looking forward to the year ahead. You can watch movies or watch people on social media, but to really know what things are like, you have to experience them.”