Olympic gold medalist Lee Kiefer honored at Fayette Co. high school

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School alum returns to inspire students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Lee Kiefer, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated female fencer in American history, returned to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, where her journey began, to receive a special honor.

Kiefer, reflecting on her time as a student. “The last time I walked down these hallways, was in this library, was 12 years ago, which is an absurd amount of time,” said Kiefer.

Fresh off her latest victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kiefer was presented with the FCPS Andy Beshear Distinguished Alumni Award. Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announcing her award.

“It is my honor to present Lee with the FCPS Andy Beshear Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her unparalleled contributions to our community and our world,” Liggins said.

The event was attended by current students, faculty, and staff, some of whom remembered Kiefer as a determined student. Amber Faris, a library media specialist at Dunbar, told ABC 36 she was Kiefer’s teacher.

“She came in with just the tenacity and the determination already to do all these things. It’s just great as a teacher to see your students succeed,” said Faris.

Kiefer expressed gratitude for the support she received at Dunbar, crediting the school and community as her foundation.

“This is my community, this is my foundation, and I hope that people seeing me up here can kind of motivate them and inspire them to try hard things,” Kiefer said.

Though she hasn’t decided whether she’ll compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Kiefer’s legacy continues to inspire students in Lexington and beyond.