The Future is here: Meet Akeelah Omoniyi

Tell us about yourself

Hi! I’m Akeelah. I’m 17 years old and going into my senior year. I was born in the Ocean State aka Rhode Island. I’m Nigerian American and spent a bit of time living and studying in Nigeria before coming back to the United States for high school.

What are some of your favorite books, movies or music?

I’ve always been an avid reader. Some of my favorite book series from when I was younger are Geronimo Stilton and Whatever After. Nowadays, I constantly read online–from webcomics to novels to articles– I always have a tab open. A favorite of mine is Your Throne by SAM on Webtoon. It’s characterized by medieval elements and political strategy, with a main character that displays cleverness and personal reflection. If I had to name a favorite physical book from the past year, it would be “This Book Won’t Burn” by Samira Ahmed. It touches on the relevant issue of book burning and censorship in a story palatable to young audiences. To summarize my music taste–Pop Rock owns my heart, and dramatic music is my thing. I love the blend of a poppy melody with the heaviness of a nice guitar line and drums. This preference ranges from my playlists 5 Seconds of Summer to The Fray, to Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco.

What’s your favorite subject in school and why?

History. That’s a bit of an unpopular choice, but I think it’s the most important of all. If we pay no attention to the past, we jeopardize our future. History has been the most enriching subject for me; it’s a class that I can usually look forward to, and it’s often taught by teachers with passion. I love American History with all its tragedies, and my favorite topic would have to be the Civil Rights Era. In my opinion, knowledge of basic world history is a necessity for all members of society. Being knowledgeable can only benefit you.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Aside from reading, I enjoy playing video games, watching civil court cases/incidents, and listening to music commentary.

What is one thing you’re very proud of accomplishing in high school so far?

Probably the relationships I’ve built. I have a community of people who encourage, support, and laugh with me. High school becomes a place of overwhelming personal growth once you have the right people beside you. “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.” — Judy Garland

What are you most passionate about?

Social Justice. From women’s rights to the rights of people of color, to police brutality and public policy - I’m invested in democracy.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in, and what do you get out of them?

I’m on my school’s track and field team, where I compete in discus; I had no idea that throwing in any form existed at all before I showed up to practice. Now, I’m pretty invested in it. It’s different from playing a team sport (although I still have teammates) in the sense that you level up on your own, and everybody performs a little differently and has their own style.

I made the choice to take choir class when I came back to the U.S. in eighth grade, and that’s proven to be a great decision. It’s been a positive aspect of my high school career and gives me a part of my day to look forward to.

Have you had any impactful experiences with a teacher or a mentor?

I would say the period when I was struggling with my vocal health. I experienced a bit of pain, and choir class went from being something I looked forward to to something I dreaded and that upset me. The support of my director and other mentors meant a lot to me.

What are some of your academic goals for the rest of the year?

To push my limits all the way and really put my full effort into everything. I’m going to study this year! It’s my last run, so I want to prove to myself that I can be everything I’ve imagined.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan to go straight to college, completing my undergraduate studies before heading to law school. As of now, my eyes are set on being an attorney.

What kind of impact do you hope to have on the world?

I feel like we naturally view others with a lot of apprehension. Through my little circle of the universe, I’ll be trying my best to promote unprompted kindness and openness wherever I go.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

It would probably be Greece. It’s been a destination point on my radar for a few years. It’s both beautiful and culturally rich. I love Greek Mythology and would love to visit some landmarks and get a million steps in from walking everywhere. I also love Baklava and am dying to try moussaka. So yeah, If I was on a game show and won an all-exclusive vacation opportunity– I would be on my way to Greece.

What‘s one thing you hope to change about the world?

Our inability to accept change. Sometimes the best path is unfamiliar. To progress as a society, I believe we all must be open-minded and accept the unconventional.

What does success mean to you?

Success doesn’t have to come with owning a million-dollar home and nice cars, although that would be nice. Success to me is being able to take pride in what you’re doing, loving and being loved by the people you surround yourself with, and feeling content with the present yet being hopeful for the future.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing young people today?

Apathy. We live in a time where we’ve become desensitized to so many things that we often take a backseat when the most powerful thing we can do is to empathize. There are so many challenges and dangers that we face as youths that are unique to our generation, and I believe we must be more vigilant in our awareness and care.

What’s one thing you wish adults understood better about teenagers?

There’s a lot of preconceived notions that should be dropped…stereotypes. In any case– you shouldn’t let your own idea of a person affect who they are. That applies to teenagers too; we are our own individuals.

What advice would you give to younger students about navigating high school?

Don’t take everything to heart; you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to have embarrassing moments, and you’re going to feel low sometimes. However, it’s important and helpful to look at the grand scheme of things: Is this bad outfit, failed test, or embarrassing answer really going to matter? If the answer is no, I try to not dwell and let myself obsess over it. Welcoming failure sets you up for success.

What advice would you give to younger students just starting high school?

Don’t be afraid. Whether that comes in the form of you acting nonchalant or shying away. It’s easier said than done, but don’t limit yourself. There are so many opportunities available to you, don’t let your fear hold you back. Try out an art class, go to that club meeting, talk to that new person. It’s important to be your own biggest supporter.

What’s your favorite memory from high school so far?

A lot of my favorite memories come from simple moments with friends. It’s usually not the circumstance but the people that make things feel special. If I had to pick out something in particular, I might name choir concert nights– in between getting ready and performing, long track meets, or simply working on group projects in class.

How would you describe yourself in five words or fewer?

Light-Hearted. Witty. Passionate. Assertive. Aspiring.

Quick facts

• GPA: 4.5
• Favorite Food: Pasta
• Coffee or Tea: Tea
• Favorite Fruit: Green Grapes
• Favorite Color: Cerulean Blue
• Favorite Animal: Raccoon
• Morning Person or Night Owl: Night Owl
• YouTube or TikTok: YouTube