WORCESTER—Funbi Fatoke didn’t expect to be valedictorian of Worcester Technical High School—well, not really.
“I didn’t expect it at all even though I did,” she said with a laugh, as she told The Worcester Guardian. “I was in my shop (Allied Health) when I found out. I opened my computer, logged into my student account, then looked at my rank. To my absolute surprise, it said ‘1’… I screamed with joy then told my teachers.”
Born in Nigeria, Funbi’s academic roots run deep. “In Nigeria, being academically driven is very important,” she said. “Our curriculum was much harder. When I came to the United States, things were so much easier for me. Once I started doing well in my studies, I wanted to do better and better… plus I wanted to impress my parents and make sure they were proud of me.”
That drive helped her push through a schedule packed with AP classes, extracurriculars, and clinical work in Worcester Tech’s Allied Health program. “I didn’t want to fail no matter what, so I always made sure to prioritize my education over all other extracurriculars.”
Still, she managed to do it all. She competed in track, served as VP of the Caring with Compassion Club, mentored peers, and got hands-on training as a Nurse Assistant at the Jewish Health Center. She interned at the United Way of Central Massachusetts—after first gaining a spot on the city’s Community Advisory Board, something she says changed her.
“It taught me bravery. It taught me that it is always okay to ask for things. It taught me confidence in myself,” she said. “Through the community advisory board, I was able to get in contact with the CEO and the director of the United Way… where I was able to become the first high school intern.”
Now, with UMass Amherst on the horizon and biology as her major, Funbi is stepping toward her goal of becoming an anesthesiologist—but that’s not her only dream. “The idea of owning my own business has always been so exciting to me, honestly,” she said. “I want to be my own boss and have money work for me instead of working for money.”
Worcester Tech gave her a head start in both medicine and self-motivation. “Since I was in Allied Health, I was able to learn a lot of medical things and gain clinical experience which will help me in the future,” she said. “The thing I will miss the most… is my friends. I will miss joking around with them in school, going to track with them, and attending homecoming with them every year.”
Asked what advice she’d offer to students who want to follow in her footsteps, Funbi didn’t hesitate: “Learn proper time management skills. That was the only thing that helped me to achieve what I have managed to achieve. Also… it is so important to have fun and spend time with your loved ones. I want whoever wants these achievements to succeed, but being happy is the most important thing!”
As for what’s next? “I hope that I can inspire other people to be brave and always choose happiness. I want to inspire people to work hard and ensure their success,” she said. “In the healthcare field, I want to… help other people so that I can help myself and my family. In the business field, I want to invent and invest in new products that can make things easier for people and help them become happier.”
This feature is part of the Worcester Guardian’s continuing education series spotlighting the city’s student leaders and their stories. Got an idea? Email carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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