Shimei is passionate about humanity and dedicated to showing everyone their limitless possibilities in Christ. Destined to change the world, she is committed to being the answer to prayers and solutions for many across the globe. Shimei embodies hope for both the old and young, with a reach that transcends generations. Her heart is dedicated to helping those who suffer, uplifting her parents, and making a profound impact in the Philippines. amazing young lady who is truly on fire for God. She is passionate about learning, sharing Christ, making a difference, and giving to others. Despite her many commitments, she excels as an honor student, embodying dedication and excellence in all she does. Shimei is a 2024 graduate of Cornerstone Christian College Prep Day and High in Fort Wayne, Indiana, founded by Dr. Oscar J. Nelson Dowdell-Underwood. As a result of Anointed Technology, Shimei has attended Cornerstone Christian College Prep Day and High School for the last two years. By implementing C-Prep Cyber Campus through Anointed Technology, C-Prep can offer Shimei and his cohorts in the Philippines the same GOD-Class Excellence Education as its physical campus students.
Leticia: How has your life changed and transformed since you connected to C-Prep?
Shimei: Since childhood, many people have admired how my mind works. They said it is so creative, and I am so blessed to have it. But I thought of it as a curse in disguise back then. Sure, I am a creative thinker. But my mind is also the source of the negative thoughts that cause my sleepless nights. I became a slave of my mind, locking me inside and keeping me away from reality. I hated it. I hated the fact that I was full of ideas and visions. Little did I know, GOD used it to connect me to C-Prep. Because of C-Prep, I learned that what I have is a beautiful gift from GOD. I realized that I was using my gift in the wrong way before. I am very blessed that C-Prep taught me how to use it for His Glory. I have made peace with myself, and I can love myself fully. I surrendered everything ugly in my life to GOD, who turned it into His masterpiece.
Leticia: What about C-Prep grabbed your attention and heart and made you want to attend?
Shimei: During my first week at C-Prep, I felt loved, valued, seen, heard, and special. Even though I am not with them physically, they never fail to make me feel so important. At first, that was the main reason why I got so attached to C-Prep. But after months of staying, I saw their heart. In every subject they are teaching, I can feel the presence of GOD. My relationship, wisdom, and knowledge about GOD deepen and strengthen. Because of the encouragement and motivation I have received, I have also learned to motivate and encourage other people.
Leticia: What has been your greatest life lesson from Dr. Oscar Nelson Dowdell-Underwood and C-Prep?
Shimei: I had a hard time loving myself before because of my physical and emotional insecurities. There is not a day I did not compare myself to others. I wasted many opportunities because I lacked trust in my capabilities. In 7th grade, I didn’t join the English and Spelling Quiz Bee because my fear of failure got ahead of me. In 8th grade, my parents pushed me to it, and thank GOD I did. I won and became the school’s representative to compete with other schools. In 2021, when I joined the International Spoken Poetry Contest Online, I was highly discouraged. I was the first one to tell me that I could not do it. I did not believe in what I could do, especially what GOD could do. But still, GOD saw my heart and made something out of nothing. He first removed all the ungodly things that keep me from glorifying Him. He then gently broke me and lovingly disciplined me before teaching me what to write. He used me to connect the Philippines and the C-Prep. And in C-Prep, He taught me to love myself and see myself the way He loves and sees me. He taught me to focus my eyes on Him and not on my flaws and imperfections. I learned to love myself because I saw how GOD loved and treasured me.
“Until you learn to LOVE YOURSELF, your potential will NOT trust you!” Dr. Oscar J. Nelson Dowdell-Underwood 09/20/23.
Leticia: What has your experience been like at C-Prep?
Shimei: I have been a student in C-Prep for two years, but the memories and experiences I have in it will surely be remembered until my last breath. The lessons I learned won’t stay just a lesson. What DR. NDU and the rest of the C-Prep staff taught me will be how I live my life. Growing up, I was aware of how to honor GOD, parents, teachers, others, and myself. But I only learned how to do it properly because of C-Prep. Every day, we practice how to honor, respect, and have an attitude of gratitude. C-Prep also made me realize that there is no such thing as competition among my schoolmates. Instead of competing, we help and teach each other to be a role model and a servant leader by example. C-Prep became a stepping stone for me to achieve and strive for more. I experienced the possibleness and miracles of GOD inside C-Prep!
Leticia: How is C-Prep different from your previous school in the Philippines?
Shimei: Studying at C-Prep while in the Philippines is excellent. Aside from the fact that I could not physically attend class and associate with my classmates, I enjoyed my memorable experiences with them globally. However, when it comes to academic and spiritual maturity, I cannot deny the fact that C-Prep is untouchable. C-Prep made sure that every student was learning and participating. No one is being left alone, and everyone is being encouraged. C-Prep students reflect on how good C-Prep is in nurturing each person inside the community. C-Prep students motivate and cheer one another, reminding each one how possible they are. C-Prep focuses on enhancing and strengthening our creative and critical thinking.
Leticia: How has studying at C-Prep and learning from Dr. Oscar Nelson Dowdell-Underwood affected your community?
Shimei: As a youth leader, I encounter different youths with different personalities, beliefs, characters, behaviors, and attitudes. Some are nice; some are unlovable. C-Prep taught me and reminds me daily to love GOD and myself. Because GOD, who is love, first loved me. I am also an unlovable and difficult person to handle, yet He never gave up on me. The moment I learned to love myself the way that GOD loves me, and the moment I saw myself the way GOD sees me despite all my failures and pride, I also learned to love others. I started seeing them differently than they are right now. Instead, I see them as a person that GOD treasures. I am not perfect, and I will never be. There are times that I still fail, but GOD continuously reminds me that I am not doing this for me or them but for Him alone. Whenever I thought, “he/she hurt me, why would I help him?” GOD gently rebuked me, saying, “Shim, you are doing it for Me. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” C-Prep is one of the powerful tools that GOD uses to remind me that this story is not about me; the stage is all about Him. I also share everything I learned from C-Prep with the youths in our community. I learned how to use my gifts and knowledge to help others in terms of academics. My parents often tell me that I should not waste the gift of knowledge I have and that I should use it for His Glory. I teach and help my fellow youths who are struggling academically. I was quite the first person that came into their minds when they needed help. Because of the whole C-Prep and my parents, I learned that I should not be the only one who will be able to reach the top, but I should also help others so that we can get to the top together.
Leticia: With all the extracurricular activities you are involved in, how did you balance academic excellence and leadership outside the classroom?
Shimei: There were times I was neglecting my responsibilities as a student by putting other things first, especially in my first year in C-Prep. But C-Prep taught me the importance of honoring my teachers and being responsible for the tasks given to me. They said that finishing all our assignments and participating in class are some of the best ways that we can show our honor to our teachers. They are also preparing each of us for college, and they taught us the attitude needed to succeed in college and life. C-Prep made sure that I was aware of the fact that it was up to me if I wanted to fail or succeed. No one can make me succeed, and no one can make me fail. I decide to be successful. GOD gave me everything I need to acquire in order not to be a failure, so it is up to me now if I’m going to waste the GOD-Given Potential and GOD-Given Dream or use it for His Glory.
Leticia: Why did you decide to study at C-Prep?
Shimei: At first, we thought that for a Filipino youth from a low-income household to study in the USA was too good to be true. But GOD amazingly works in mysterious ways. He is indeed a miracle worker and way-maker. Dr. Leticia Starks-Underwood, the Director of C-Prep Global Exchange Program, told us years ago that if I accept the invitation to C-Prep, “You and your family will be tremendously blessed!” And GOD, being a promise-keeper, kept His promise and blessed not just me and my family but also the people in our community! Every day, GOD reminds me to be thankful because every detail of my life was carefully planned. I am so blessed to be a daughter of the One True King. My relationship with my heavenly Father is more intimate because He uses C-Prep, other than His love letter, the bible, to talk to me.
Leticia: Why are you grateful for C-Prep and Dr. Oscar J. Nelson Dowdell-Underwood?
Shimei: Dr. Oscar J. Nelson Dowdell-Underwood and C-Prep not only taught us the knowledge we need as we prepare for college but also taught us the POSSIBLE MINDSET that will help us in every moment of our lives. Applying for a passport and US Visa for our graduation has been a challenging ride. If you look at our situation back then from the world’s perspective, you could easily say that it is impossible because it is. My parents are praying nonstop for a miracle. There came a time when we were losing hope because of the circumstances. But GOD is reminding us that everything is possible for those who believe. The lessons that we learned from C-Prep and Dr. NDU became our motivation and encouragement to continue trusting the Lord. He was, He is, and He will forever be in control. I was once a negative thinker, but GOD used Dr. NDU and the whole C-Prep to renew my mind. Acquiring the I AM POSSIBLE ME Mindset is what I am grateful for the most.
Leticia: How has Anointed Technology caused you to self-discover and activate your personal possibleness so that you can make a difference in life after C-Prep?
Shimei: When I did not know the Anointed Technology yet, I used the technology to do things that were not pleasing to GOD. I caged my potential and dreams as I became a slave of the world. I did not care if what I was doing caused GOD’s heart to be broken. But because of His gift of Anointed Technology, a powerful tool to reach out and touch the heart of humanity, I was saved. GOD has Graced C-Prep with it, and He used it to help me discover who I truly was behind my dirtiness and sins. I discovered more of myself. Not the me who was a slave to worldly desires, but the I AM POSSIBLE ME that was hidden deep within my soul. It was hidden because I did not love myself. My potential did not trust me because I did not trust it first. But the moment I thirsted for my personal possibleness, GOD revealed His visions to me. He is continuously equipping me to be an effective instrument that He can use to reach the whole world through Anointed Technology. He is breaking my heart for what breaks His. And now that I know how possible I am, there is nothing that can stop me from being the salt and light in this world.
Leticia: What advice would you give students from other countries who would like to attend C-Prep?
Shimei: One of the many things I can testify to as a C-Prep student is that when you study at this wonderful school, you will never be the same again. You will gain a whole new mindset that will change your life. You will have the knowledge and wisdom that will enable you to make a significant difference wherever you go and to whoever you meet! If you look at things negatively and easily lose hope, then let me assure you that through C-Prep, GOD will give you the strength to abandon your old life and fight and win your old self. You are your greatest challenge and enemy. But you are also your best teacher. Your experiences in life are what made you who you are right now. And in C-Prep, you will learn how to live your life in a way that glorifies and pleases Him.
Leticia Starks-Underwood
Leticia Starks-Underwood is an educator, mentor, student, author, and publisher. She holds a B.A. in Biblical Literature from Taylor University Upland, a Master’s and Doctorate in Christian Education from Cornerstone Bible College, Intl Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also holds several Certificates from Cornerstone Bible College, International. She holds a certificate in Book Publishing from IAP Career College. She currently serves as an educator at Cornerstone Christian College Prep Day and High School International, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is the Founder of You Can Make It Inspiration Online and Print Magazine. She also published several books, which includes “You Can Make It: Hope On The Journey of Motherhood.” She also serves as a contributing writer for BlackNews.UK. Leticia is dedicated to spreading hope, encouragement, and the love of Christ through her life and her works to others.