Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Lee is being honored by her alma mater in Rhode Island. East Providence High School is inducting the Frozen writer and director into its Hall of Fame.

From Townie Cheerleader to Disney Royalty

A graduate of the class of 1989, Lee was a cheerleader, took part in student council and was a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society, the Townie Band and Senior Class Committee.

In addition to listing her extracurriculars in her yearbook dedication, she left behind this inspiring quote: "Lives may change, but dreams will never die." Quite fitting, considering her success.

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, she will be welcomed into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 alongside her fellow inductees. Funny enough, I am also a member of the East Providence High School Hall of Fame.

Michaela Johnson/Townsquare Media
Michaela Johnson/Townsquare Media

Sharing the EPHS Hall of Fame Stage

I graduated in 2006 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. However, being an EPHS grad and HOF inductee is all we have in common. Lee has quite the resume.

READ MORE: Massachusetts' Academy Award and Golden Globe Winners

In addition to writing Frozen, which took home two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Let It Go," Lee was the first woman to serve as the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Getty Images
Getty Images

The Mastermind Behind 'Frozen' and Disney's Biggest Hits

She's also been behind the scenes of many more Disney films, including:

  • Frozen 2
  • Frozen 3
  • Frozen 4
  • Raya and the Last Dragon
  • Encanto
  • Strange World
  • Wish
  • Moana 2
  • Zootopia 2

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