Sheikyelah “Shay” Kahoro is a senior at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, California. Kahoro boasts a long, varied array of achievements that represent her deep passion and love for life.

At MCHS, Kahoro manages several leadership positions. For example, she is currently the first-ever black ASB President and was formerly the Junior Class President. As ASB President, Kahoro represents the interests of the student body and plans countless fun events to promote positivity and school spirit. 

Kahoro challenges herself in everything, especially in academics. While juggling several AP classes, she also tutors several subjects such as English, Math, and Science. She enjoys mechanical subjects including computer science and engineering. Above all, however, Kahoro has a deep passion for medicine. 

During her time in high school, Kahoro attended multiple National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) summer programs. She has a certificate of achievement for NYLF Medicine at UC Berkeley and NYLF Advanced Medicine & Health Care at Johns Hopkins University. Kahoro has even done medical workshop rotations in the world’s largest trauma center in Maryland (the renowned R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center). 

On top of Kahoro’s vast list of accomplishments, she is fluent in four languages: English, French, Kikuyu, and Swahili. It goes without saying that Kahoro is hard-working and intellectually talented. 

Outside of academics, Kahoro is a track and field athlete, competing in shot put and discus. Her peers attest that she is an excellent listener, and she tries her best to understand others. Additionally, Kahoro loves red pandas! 

In the future, Kahoro aspires to apply her interests in STEM, medicine, and the human brain, to become a neurosurgeon. She hopes to attend university to study biology, chemistry, or neuroscience. Fundamentally, Kahoro’s principal dream has always been to help others in need. From spreading happiness as ASB President to saving lives as a surgeon, Kahoro has stated that she is driven by her “love for creating communities in places that have none.”