Shelby Waligora

Age: 16

By Stacie Ball | Photo by Mollie Shutt

DeKalb High School Junior Shelby Waligora certainly knows what it takes to create a world full of love and acceptance. Already, she is involved in many activities to help members of the community thrive, and she has plans to continue her philanthropic efforts in the future.

What activities are you involved in?

I have been an intern at the Community Foundation of DeKalb County since January. Through the Community Foundation, I am highly involved in DeKalb County Promise, which is a program designed to help promote education after high school with a 529 Career Savings Account. Baron Buddies is another program

I am involved with, where high school students are paired with elementary students to mentor them. I am happy to be a part of DeKalb High School’s New Tech, which opened a door to my involvement on the Dekalb Purdue Extensions Health and Human Sciences Advisory Committee.

How has New Tech helped you reach some of your goals?

New Tech is the reason I am able to do all of the things I am involved in and has given me a million opportunities for my future. Through real-life situations and critical thinking, New Tech has built my social, presentation, leadership and soft skills. During my sophomore year, I created a poster/infographic about what mental health survivors wished those around them knew about their mental illness. I named that project “The Silent Killer,” and my main goal was to show people that mental health cannot and should not be a stigma because it is extremely real. Through that project, I was asked to be the first high school student on the DeKalb Purdue Extensions Health and Human Sciences Advisory Committee.

How do you manage it all?

I have an amazing support system that contains Mrs. Schrock (New Tech English teacher), Mrs. Renier (New Tech director), Judy Sorg (Director of Community Foundation), Melanie Beer (office manager of Community Foundation), Matt Bechdol (president of board at Community Foundation), and most importantly, my mom. If it weren’t for their encouragement, I would not be where I am today. Both my phone and physical calendars have become my lifesavers by helping me organize all of the events and assignments I have every week.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself graduating from Purdue University with a psychology degree. I am hoping this degree will allow me to move a step closer to getting a career in adolescent counseling. I do plan to go back to school while I am working in the field to not only further my education, but also advance my career. a