November 06, 2024
During Ayomide Ajakaiye’s 5th grade year at City Academy, her Language Arts teacher required each student to read at least one book from every region in the world. While Ayomide’s distinctly remembers her favorite book choice being “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, she thinks the early exposure to other cultures may have had a profound impact on her. “I think that really made me someone who’s interested in world history and social science,” Ayomide said.
After completing her studies at City Academy, Ayomide matriculated to John Burroughs School, where she has continued to excel. “City Academy does a great job at preparing people for secondary school,” she says. The skills she acquired, particularly in English with literary devices have stayed with her. “We still use those skills even for AP English Language and Composition. The fact that they taught us all those skills in 5th and 6th grade, and I’m still using those skills, they did a really great job at preparing me.”
At John Burroughs, Ayomide’s interest in global issues grew as she discovered her passion for Model UN, a program she had been drawn to even before joining the school. “Model UN was actually one of the reasons why I wanted to go to Burroughs,” she shares. In 7th grade, Ayomide began participating in the program, eventually rising through the ranks of MUN Impact, a global organization that educates people about Model UN and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
By the end of 9th grade, Ayomide held a leadership position within the organization, overseeing global operations. Her dedication to Model UN led to significant opportunities, including a trip to Greece, where she participated in the BIMUN (Belgrade International Model United Nations) conference. Ayomide and her team also started their own conference, SLAMUN (St. Louis Area Model United Nations), at John Burroughs, hosting more than 100 students from 10 different schools in the St. Louis area.
One of the highlights of Ayomide’s Model UN journey came in 10th grade when she attended a UN event in New York. “I got to meet the UN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Under-Secretary- General,” she recounts.
Now a senior at John Burroughs School, Ayomide spent her most recent summer in Nigeria interning at Banwo & Ighodalo, one of the premier law firms in the country. As a high school intern, Ayomide had the chance to work in various departments, gaining firsthand experience in litigation and legal analysis. “One day, I got to go to court and actually see what being a lawyer is like in real life,” she says. The internship was a significant step in her journey, affirming her interest in law and international relations.
As Ayomide prepares to graduate from John Burroughs, she is looking at colleges on the East Coast, with plans to study economics or international relations. She continues to stay connected with City Academy, attending Strive and volunteering at Trivia Night. “It’s a good way for me to see everyone again and it’s really fun,” she says. She was recently selected by her principal for St. Louis County’s Outstanding Student Leadership Program which provides training and recognition to one senior from each county high school annually.
Jen Glassmeyer, Director of Alumni Support and Community Partnerships, loves to see students like Ayomide fully engaged in their secondary school experience. “Every time I meet with Ayomide, I leave energized and refreshed,” she says. “I love to see somebody utilizing all of their talents. I’m excited to see what she’s going to do with herself and how her life is going to play out because I think she’s going to have a huge impact.”