Renaissance Girl:
An Interview with Shureice Kornegay
by Dantawn, a Project Exploration student
...continued

Dantawn: Okay. Describe some of the professors you have.

SK: Professors? I have decent professors. One of my favorites is Dr. D., my computer professor. He’s really cool. The teachers, they come in and let you see who they really are instead of coming in and being all “this is this, that is that.” That’s not cool. I would like a teacher to be more open, so that you could feel like that’s a person you could talk to if you had a question about something. You don’t have to feel scared standing up in front of the class and talking to the teacher. So a teacher that’s really cool is easier to approach. They crack jokes and stuff. That’s someone you can approach.

Dantawn: Could you in a little bit more detail describe some of your science classes? Like, your anthropology class?

SK: Okay. Next semester I’m taking up this human paleontology class and physical anthropology. I think it’s going to be challenging, but at the same time, this is what I want to do, and I can’t forget that. And last semester I had this one class, “The Rise of Civilizations.” I really loved that class. The teacher showed films and brought specimens. It was a lot about participation instead about just studying, because science is something you have to participate in. It’s something you have to be a part of. You just can’t read a book and be a scientist. They go out and look for knowledge. So I think that’s important too.

Shureice with the Junior Paleontologists.
Photo: G. Lyon © Project Exploration

Dantawn: What extra curriculars are you involved in? Clubs, athletics, jobs? What do you do on campus on a daily basis?

SK: My biggest one is my Tae Kwon Do Class. I go there and I get my butt kicked. Next semester I’m joining the fencing club. I’m really interested in learning how to fence. Fencing is sword fighting.

Dantawn: When you wear the masks and stuff?

SK: Yes. That’s real cool. I’m involved in theater too. They’ve got a real good theater club. And it’s a lot of fun. And it’s important to have other stuff outside of school, it’s just really important. I can’t stress the importance of how serious it is to just have a life. That’s what makes college. Having fun and having good friends as well.

Dantawn: So how’s your life? What do you on a daily basis when you’re not in class?

SK: When I’m not in class? Oh man, I call my friends. We chill, we go out to eat, we go bowling, we go to the movies—we got a theatre out there that only costs two dollars to get in. And it’s pretty cool. We go to Wal-mart—and it’s really cheap there, I love it. But we ride around, go shopping, play pranks on people a lot; it’s a lot of fun. That’s fun. And sometimes I’m studying. But when I’m not studying, I watch a lot of cartoons. I am the only one in my dorm that watches a lot of cartoons. I get the work done though.

Dantawn: How do you balance the school work with the rest of your life?

SK: It’s all about priorities. What do you find is the most important to you? You get the important stuff out of the way and then you go have fun. I think that’s how it is. School is number one. That’s why you’re in DeKalb, surrounded by corn. Because you want to go to school. That’s how I see it. I volunteered, and I can’t forget that. So, school work is my number one priority and then everything else is after that. Once I’m done with my school work. I can do anything.

Dantawn: Describe the biggest challenge of being in college.

SK: The biggest challenge of being in college is being in college because I’m a homebody. I like being home, I like being around my family, to the point where I get on their nerves and they get on my nerves sometimes. And it’s kind of hard to be myself sometimes. But, I’m getting used to it. It’s more fun now, being independent. And it’s dawning on me more and more that I love being at home but there’s going to come a time when I’m not going to be at home, so I better enjoy it now. Like being on campus is like being away from my friends and family at all times. And that’s hard on me sometimes. Like if life or my teachers are crazy I can go to my mom and be like, “Mom look what happened!” I have to suck it up and deal with it. And it makes you stronger. And that’s the toughest part, becoming stronger, and coming in to your own. It’s crazy, but it’s worth every penny.

Dantawn: How has Project Exploration impacted you? What did they help you with, or what knowledge or skill did they give you to help you in your college life?

SK: When I was a JP, I used to get on people’s nerves. I was a non-listener. People had to pull me aside and say, “You know what, Shureice?” But what it’s taught me is that you’re going to grow. Eventually, everything’s going to work out, no matter how many times you get pulled aside, you’re going to get back on track. And everything’s going to be okay if you just stick it out. I mean there were a lot of times when we were on a trail or something and people were tired or wanted to slow down, but we couldn’t. Or when we're in the van about to go over this cliff… but you’ve got to be strong and you’ve got to be brave. And that’s what Project Exploration taught me… going into the unknown. Doing something that only you have done, out of the ordinary, teaches you a lot about life. How many people can say, “I’ve hiked the Rockies,” or “I’ve worked with so and so?” That’s what you do in life. And like Paul Sereno, he had a hard time in school too, and I had a hard time in school. But coming to Project Exploration they helped me through. And I was on the detention list, but I was on the honor roll too when I graduated. I pulled it together. When it’s time, things are going to work out. That’s what Project Exploration taught me.

Shureice and Susan Silva jacketing a fossil.
Photo: G. Lyon © Project Exploration

Dantawn: What is next for you?

SK: Right now, I’m really beat, let me tell you. But I want to get serious about my music. That’s what’s next for me. That and being a scientist are the two most important things in my life right now. Focusing, and coming in to my own and being my own person and standing on my own feet. I want to get to Africa and I want to be useful. I want to make friends by the time we leave. I’m so lucking I got on the Collaboration with All Natural. I heard myself online yesterday, and that feeling, it can’t be taught. When you’re doing what you’re meant to do and you’re doing it right. So what’s next is figuring out what really makes me happy and sticking to it.

Dantawn: Do you sing or do you rap?

SK: I sing and rap. I sung in a group for a while but I stopped that. It was crazy. But I’m a solo artist now. I collaborate with a bunch of artists in Chicago. We started in July and are just now getting our tracks together. I’m so… you should hear my song it’s actually pretty good. And it’s coming together SO well. Science and music. I think that’s it for me.

Click here to learn about Shureice Kornegay's experiences in the field on Dr. Sereno's expedition to Niger on the Dinosaur Expedition 2005 web site.