Tell us about yourself
Hi! I’m Sumira Adhikari. I’m 18 years old and a senior at Westerville South High School. I was born in Nepal. I like writing and I am the Editor-in-Chief of my school publication, The Scribe.
What are some of your favorite books, movies or music?
My favorite book is “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern. I read it freshman year, and I keep going back to it especially when I am sick. It’s like a comfort book for me. As for music, I just listen to any music that makes me feel nice.
What’s your favorite subject in school and why?
I really like Art because I take IB Art right now, and it’s a class where we have so much freedom. Especially now that I’m in year 2, we have a lot of studio time to do what we want to do. Another favorite subject is Journalism. Through the class, we do the school newspaper and since that’s the field I want to go into. We are free to choose whatever story we want to make, and most of the time, we go out on our own and conduct interviews. I really like having that independence.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time, Sumira?
I like to read, write and like watching Chinese dramas. I also like playing dress-up with my little sister. Like especially this year, knowing that I’m going off to college. I’m trying to spend more time with her because I won’t get to see her much, especially if I go out of state. She is entering her teenage years.
What is one thing you’re very proud of accomplishing in high school so far?
It’s really been about the community I’ve built and the support, because I ended up joining a lot more things than I thought I’d be a part of, and through it I found people that I’m close to and friends with. It’s great to have that sense of community where I’m not just being supported, but giving something back to the community. I like organizing and hosting things with these clubs that I do.
What are you most passionate about?
I want to do good in the world. I want to change the media narrative, writing headlines and stories; even if I’m not powerful enough to challenge institutions of power, I want to be able to at least document what these institutions are doing. When issues need to be addressed, and communities need to come together, consolidate power, and bring change, I want to be the storyteller. I want to be the one that makes sure no one is unheard. That means making sure that people’s stories are told and people are not facing injustice by themselves.
Have you had any impactful experiences with a teacher or a mentor?
One of my most impactful teachers would be Mrs. Fox. She is my journalism teacher, and as I have previously mentioned, I want to go into the field, and I think it’s partly because of her. Initially, I had her in my freshman year for freshman English and she liked my writing and invited me to join the newspaper. Since then, it’s been like she’s been there for me, not only in terms of guiding my writing but also, she is someone I can always go to even when something little happens. I’m always like, “Mrs. Fox, you know what happened to me?” This is someone I have right there in the building, and it’s nice to have.
What are some of your academic goals for the rest of the year?
For me, maintain As and keep that going. As we get our college acceptances in, it just feels like I’m halfway out of high school already, which makes it a little harder to stay focused, despite the senior year is trying.
What are your plans after high school?
I really want to be well educated. I want to get at least a Master’s. I know for a fact that I want to get a bachelor’s degree in journalism. But after that, I’ll see whatever, I can do, like further social work.
What does success mean to you?
I feel like for a lot of people, it’s about the quality of life that they lead, and I think to a certain extent, I would like to live a life that is comfortable where I’m not struggling or feel insecure. I want to leave a legacy where it’s not just “Oh Sumira, who’s that?” You hear my name and be like, “Yeah that sounds a little familiar.” I don’t have to be super famous, but just a little bit of impact, like yes, I did something.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing young people today?
I turned 18, and it just feels like so many things happening as I’m stepping into adulthood. And it’s the fact that I couldn’t have done anything to change any of it; it’s just things that were set in place, like systems that were set in place, and I can’t really do much about it. Now that I’m going in as an adult, it’s like I have very little that I’m going in with, and it feels very daunting because there is so much I want to do, yet there is still, like, I want to go to college, I want to have that education, but then there’s also, like, other things I want to go out and do. Like, I want to be out there, maybe protesting, but then it’s like they are also not safe. There is this lack of safety or security in the things that I want to do. I want to do things so passionately but not feeling secure enough.
Thank you for sharing. What’s one thing you wish adults understood better about teenagers?
For me, I think I do understand more than they might think. I think sometimes people underestimate the gravity of the things that I do understand. And I do sometimes act childish because that’s also a part of me.
What advice would you give to younger students about navigating high school?
I would say build relationships with the people around you and create that community. Don’t just go through like go to school and be like “I just want to get done with the day.” I think that’s what a lot of people do, but that just makes your four years miserable. Try to enjoy it and build a space where you can enjoy. If there is a lack of something and you feel like “oh I wish that was there”, instead of just complaining about it, you can go out and build that space where you’re able to experience it, and others can join you.
What’s your favorite memory from high school so far?
One of the ones that I really liked: I started a club last year called Poets Union. We held our performance in March last year. We did, like, a poetry slam retreat. Akeelah was one of the people. It was nice that I was able to bring together talented writers and storytellers. Some of them I didn’t know even wrote, and it was nice we were able to come together. I went home that day looking over our little videos and was like, “Wow, everyone did so great and I was just proud of everyone.”
That was a small snippet of the impact you desire to make, and you’re already doing so as a teenager. How would you describe yourself in five words or fewer?
Passionate, creative, and thoughtful.
Quick facts
- Favorite Food: Momo (Nepali steamed dumplings)
- Favorite Fruit: Lychee
- Favorite Color: Red
- Favorite Animal: Red Panda
- Morning Person or Night Owl: Night Owl
- YouTube or TikTok: YouTube. I love watching video essays
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