“I’m not waiting to be great. I’m already building it.” ~
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.
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 eight-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 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 gameshow and won an all-exclusive vacation opportunity– I would definitely be on my way to
Greece.
“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
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
TRUE FACTS
GPA: 4.5
Favorite Food: Pasta
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Favorite Fruit: Green Grapes
Favorite Color: Cerulean Blue
Favorite Animal: Racoon
Morning Person or Night Owl: Night Owl
YouTube or TikTok: YouTube
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