Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey Shannon—
DALEVILLE, IN—Daleville Junior/Senior High School senior Zoe Shihemi is passionate about advocating for children and others who cannot do so themselves. As an eighth grader in Pendleton, she became a member of the Best Buddies Club, which pairs students with special needs classmates.
Though she moved to Daleville her sophomore year and the program wasn’t available, she remains connected to her buddy from Pendleton.
“I’m still close with her and I go and see her all the time,” Shihemi said.
These days she advocates for others through her role on the student council. Shihemi stated her outgoing personality helps her be able to speak up for those who are quieter.
“I like to be able to advocate for people who might not be able to advocate for things otherwise,” she said.
She plans to continue on this path after graduation. The avid softball player who’s a member of the athletic council at school, is entertaining offers from universities. Shihemi plans to find a career working with children.
“My biggest influences were when I was growing up,” she said. “I’d like to help impact [children] in some way.”
She’s considering pediatric nursing and even worked hard last year to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant certification while also going to school and taking all college classes.
And as president of the National Honor Society at school, Shihemi takes academics seriously. Her freshman year GPA was a bit lower due to a variety of circumstances, so she’s worked hard to raise it and is now pleased with her GPA.
“I worked very hard to bring that up,” she said.
In order to keep her studies on track, Shihemi said she had to learn about balance and priorities. Along with being a member of various student leadership positions and playing softball, she also plays basketball and tennis and has a part-time job.
“The main thing I had to learn is self-discipline,” she said. “You can’t do everything, and you can’t please everyone. I have had to learn that I have to take time for myself to make time for what I need to do.”
Shihemi has learned some of those very lessons from her mother, who she credits with being her biggest influence in life. She said her mom worked hard to get her to the point she’s at today.
“She deserves a lot of credit for the things she’s given up so I could have a successful future and be the person I am today,” Shihemi said of her mother.
As she looks forward to life after high school, Shihemi said she’d tell those coming behind her to just be themselves without shame.
“It’s not embarrassing to be involved in the school, help others who need it, be in clubs, stuff like that,” she said. “It’s OK to be yourself.”
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