In this magnet student spotlight, we are highlighting Lee High School senior Arionne Sanders. Arionne began her magnet journey in the theater program at the Academy for Academics & Arts before coming to Lee High to join the film and video magnet. She says that she has a passion for storytelling, and when she interviewed for the film and video program and heard about how things like camera work, lighting, and editing all have a significant impact in how a story is told she became very interested in the program.
Since joining the magnet program at Lee, Arionne has become involved in its academic community and joined the Beta Club, the National Honor Society, and L.E.A.D. Ambassadors. She served as the director and lead editor for the short film Anything for Fame, which became one of only four official student selections in the George Lindsey Film Festival 2026, and has received the National Recognition Award from College Board. Arionne has also been involved in community projects outside the school, such as helping to film the Make a Wish Gala in Huntsville, AL.
Mr. Dillon Lee, Film & Video Magnet Director at Lee High Creative & Performing Arts, says that film & video was a bit of a departure for Arionne, but that “she really dove into it and quickly established herself as a leader.” He adds that he “doesn’t know of a project she’s worked on where she wasn’t either a critical piece or the de-facto leader just because of her base of knowledge and her passion to get things done and do it the right way.”
Mr. Lee says that the creative and performing arts program at Lee has helped Arionne excel because it helps students see things from other perspectives. He adds, “it lets you work with people who see the world a little differently than everyone else – artists are unique in that way.” Mr. Lee also says that the program helps build confidence in students as they get to try new things, and the students are adding skills to their toolkit that they can take with them into any future career.
Arionne says that the magnet program at Lee is “a very collaborative space” that involves visual arts, theater, and tech theater students all working together on projects. She says that it gives you a lot of experience and opportunities, and the program is very much involved with the community. In her words, “It does open a lot of doors and connections and helps you feel more ingrained in what it’s like to be in Huntsville and be involved in the arts.”
Learn more about the program on the Lee Magnet Program site.