2016’s 20 Under 20: Faramola Shonekan, Rock Bridge High School

Faramola Shonekan, 18, Rock Bridge High School

College plans:

Next fall I plan to attend MU and double major in history and economics.

Favorite class in high school:

I had a great love for all of my social studies and history classes over these past four years, but if I had to choose among all of them, it would be AP United States History. I loved learning about the entire history of our nation, and learning about it with a fantastic teacher and amazing classmates. This amazing class is a huge reason behind why I will continue to study history in college.

Favorite club or extracurricular in high school:

My favorite club was one that I actually joined during my senior year, which was Model United Nations. Getting to act as a delegate for a country, and promoting more peace and change by doing so, taught me a lot about world politics. It gave me an idea about what career I would like to pursue, and it taught me about communication, compromise, and that I too can make a change. It also helped me to discover that I have a passion for human rights.

Best advice I’ve ever received:

Some of the best advice that I ever received was to attend MU. During the first semester of my senior year, I was really struggling over deciding where to attend college. I would often have sleepless nights speculating over an unknown future. One day, my parents had a long talk with me, and told me that MU would be a great fit for me, and they provided various valid reasons. It didn’t only allow me to see this wonderful institution of education in a new light, but it made me realize that sometimes the answer that you’ve been looking for is right in front of you.

Future goals:

My future goals include attending MU and getting a degree in history and economics, and maybe study a year abroad in the process. Following that, I’ve always wanted to join the Peace Corps or join an international humanitarian organization for a year or so before attending law school and studying human rights. In the process of learning all that I can, I want to see the world for what it is, and hopefully look for ways to make it a better place.

Person I admire and why:

I really admire my mother, because she has shown so much strength and courage. As the Chair of Black Studies at MU, she’s had to deal with a lot of aggression from a lot of people — especially this past year —  but she has managed to keep calm and remain poised, which astounds me, because many people can easily crack under that kind of pressure. While doing this, she has continued to put her family first and be the best mother a daughter could ever ask for. I can only hope that I can be like her someday.

CBT’s 20 Under 20 celebrates 20 Columbia high school seniors who are ready to accomplish big things after graduating. Congratulations to the 2016 20 Under 20, and to all Columbia high school grads.