Ramen with the President
“Sometimes I think there this extremely high standard that I don’t even know I can reach.”
It is 150 days from the start of Shane Forbes’s beginning – 5 months from when he was elected President of Comp Sci High. We sit in Chinatown at Ajisen Ramen. The interior is beautiful, low slung and creates a calm environment. It’s exactly what we need to remove the pressure of speaking. As we gather ourselves, Shane explains his long day: “I just came from a yearbook committee meeting and before that I was hiding in the school completing work for my scholarship. I think I found a good spot to finally do work with no distractions.”
Though Shane is used to standing out, his recent role as President has him feeling a bit unmoored. “I actually originally wanted to be treasurer,” he says, “I spoke to my mom about it and she said I was very good with saving money and budgeting.” He wanted to aim high but he was very nervous. “I knew I wanted to be in the senior council,” he says, “but I never thought people would actually vote for me — until I spoke to Diaz and she pretty much told me to not limit myself and go big.” That’s the origin story of it all. Of all the highlights of his life, this is certainly a standout. This is in part due to how intense it is at Comp Sci High. “Everything at Comp Sci High,” he says, “is amplified ten times more than it would be anywhere else.”
At Comp Sci High he isn't just President but he also spends his time elsewhere. He is the manager of both the Dance and Volleyball team. He is early deciding this week to Hamilton College where he will major in theater. “I’ve always wanted to be an actor since I was very young.” he says. He strives to do more. “ I also am in the realm of wanting to be a model, writer, and wanna dip my toes in business”. “I am just so used to working and having fun to be honest- that's why I like to do so many things.”
He laughs and takes a second to stuff his mouth with teriyaki ramen. “I'm actually starting acting classes soon and I’m very excited,” he says, “I've been so busy doing so much stuff, so it fulfills me to get back to my roots of what makes me authentically happy.” Shane will be attending acting classes down by Hudson Yards at Arts Connection where he previously worked over the summer. “I loved everyday at BlackRock,” he says, ‘so going back is going to be fun.”
Shane recalls a time he felt very overwhelmed as student president” “I spent a lot of time working over the summer to prepare for the year so I was a bit shocked seeing people’s very negative reactions of me especially from seniors who voted for me.” He gets introspective. “It's a bit confusing,” he tells me, before continuing, “In the beginning of the year a lot of people just sort of made a mockery of it.” Shane also contends with a double-edged sword: “A lot of the people who try to chastise me about what I do or say are often the culprit of doing it themselves, and it’s honestly a clear deflection.” He is perceptive. He sees it. He goes on: “I just have to remind myself that I'm not what people say I am and just focus on intention vs impact.” He also understands that this is new to students and faculty at Comp Sci High. “More people don’t support me than do,” he says, “And that's fine but I just can't get behind it.”
He takes a pause and stares around at the art that surrounds us. There's a shift in his face and tone. “I genuinely joined because I want to make a change in the community and support the seniors in the best way possible,” he says, “but people find that hard to believe.” He seems to understand the stakes of his role: “I do make mistakes and I can admit I'm not always the best role model but I am still a teenager who is learning and I'm already hard on myself as it is impossible to be perfect.” This difficulty is experienced every day: “Many people, especially teachers, treat me like I know it all and never guide me when making mistakes, they pretty much just judge me and make me feel ridiculed”.
Shane, since a very young age, has dealt with extreme anxiety. “I try to remind myself I'm still human and try not to beat myself up too much.” he says, “I am a child and I'm just trying to do my job; this takes up most of my time so I do try to find the fun in it”.
It's no lie that whenever you do something, people tend to blame your actions when you are President, so I was wondering, what Shane thought the biggest misconception people have about him is. He answered: “People think I’m very cocky and I joined this as a form of ego boost and wanting the title, however that's just not true nor the person I am.” I don’t feel the need to prove it, but I also don’t want people to make me out to be something I am not”. Shane signals our waiter, asking for more water. He leans over the table. “Maddy,” he says, ‘your food looks so good, let me try some.” He grabs his chopsticks and takes a moment to recollect.
As we finish our meal and wait for the bill, I’ve decided to switch it up and talk about the biggest things people want to know about him. People are most curious about Shane being a part of the LGBTQ community. More specifically about how being black and queer affects his role. I find this odd myself seeing that most of the people who attend Comp Sci High are black. But Shane does think about it: “Definitely yes, I think more of being queer affects me more than being black just in life,but those also hold two big stereotypes within itself so naturally with me being president it’s gonna follow into the role”. Shane believes you either support him or you don’t.
Shane looks at himself in the reflection of the glass wall next to him and sighs with an awkward yeah. I’m very curious about how the title of President affects him, and I want him to go deeper into it.
He reminisces on relationships: “I have lost friends since being president and that was a hard pill for me to swallow, and it still is — but I'm not gonna be sorry for doing my job and growing up.” He continues: “This is a prime example, people so quickly judge me when I make mistakes as President instead of giving me that feedback, people just get angry, and it all stems from that perception that I need to be perfect because of the presidency.” Shane tries his bets to conduct himself with positivity and steers away from letting judgment change who he is.
When it is time to pay, we walk around and find someplace for dessert. “Let's go back to Penguin Ice Cream,” Shane says. As we walked around I couldn’t help but ask a question in hopes it would lighten the mood. I want to know what future aspirations Shane has for himself, and if he sees this role preparing him for them. Shane gleams with happiness: “I think no matter what I do, I always take it and run it through my filter of life – I tie it to my future.” He goes on: “I definitely see myself being an actor, model, and in business. I think I'm already on the path for that and I set myself up to be successful. No matter what I'm doing, I'm going to stay happy and always find the fun in where I am.” Shane hopes everyone maximizes their experience of life — taking into consideration the things they do and how it will shape their path.
We now sit in Penguin Ice Cream, a place Shane likes to go with his friends. It serves his favorite rolled ice cream. Shane orders the cookie monster and suggests I get the rainbow bridge. “I think you're gonna like this one Maddy,” he says. We sit there in delight with the sweetness of the ice cream and the view of Chinatown plus a hint of relief from being able to express these feelings. Shane offers a final thought: “I'm not going to doubt my capabilities anymore, I have worked hard enough and spent so much time doubting myself, I'm going to keep giving myself the support I need because I know no one else will.” He sets his goals of the year “I'm going to allow mistakes, live with no fears and be my authentic self — and just remember humanity, because we're all human.”