Shabazz High Senior Naomi Saba Lewis Focuses on Community, Self-Growth and Empowerment

Naomi Saba Lewis, a 12th grader at Shabazz High School, embodies the spirit of community and self-empowerment. Saba Lewis appreciates being part of a school community where everyone is encouraged to share their opinions, and even if they disagree, the respect for each other remains. 

“We need to be able to share with others while realizing we are not always going to agree and that’s okay,” Saba Lewis said. “And at Shabazz, we can do that.” 

Saba Lewis is actively involved in projects that allow her to give back and help those in need. The compassion she has today was inspired by her mother, who used to make sandwiches and deliver to those who were homeless in the community. Recently, she volunteered at a food pantry where she helped load carts and pack groceries for people. 

“It made me feel good knowing that people wouldn’t go to bed hungry,” Saba Lewis said. 

In addition to wanting to give back, Saba Lewis often finds that others look to her for advice. A child of biracial parents, Saba Lewis has navigated her own identity challenges and shares the difficulties of not always being accepted or fitting in. Her mother has been an important role model to help Saba Lewis find strength in herself. 

“Naomi is introspective and reflective,” said Principal Nathan O’Shaughnessy. “She takes time to assess and learn, and when she shares it’s powerful. I enjoy her sense of humor, I appreciate her honesty, and look forward to her daily “Hello NateO!”

From her own experiences, she shares with others the importance of not letting others’ opinions shape who an individual is as a person. “When you start taking people’s opinions to heart, they can really take over your thoughts,” she said. “It’s important to let go of those opinions.” 

Looking toward the future, Saba Lewis is considering a career in cosmetology, but is also interested in nature. She shares that Shabazz offers experiences that get students out of the classroom, such as taking field trips to local farms or visiting a lake to learn about nature and the animals that live there. She even had the opportunity to explore caves. 

“It was pitch black, cold and wet, but it was a good experience,” she said. “That’s why I like this school…all the hands-on learning and the community here.”