Shanaya Fastje

Early life

Shanaya Fastje, the daughter of Lothar Fastje (father) and Connie Fastje (mother) is a teen prodigy whom at twelve years old moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her singing, writing, acting, and speaking career. Shanaya attended public school, private school, charter school and was homeschooled when she graduated High School with honors on May 10, 2012 at the age of thirteen. She has written and published five books titled "Mystery School", "Mystery School Monday Sleepover Disaster", "Mystery School Crazy Adventures", "Bully in the Mirror", and a supernatural/fantasy novel titled "Velvet Door Society". "Bully in the mirror" is a curriculum style self-help book mainly directed to teens, young adults, and adult. Shanaya began public speaking at the age of ten after publishing her first two books and felt the need to further impact the world with her magnificent qualities. By the time she was twelve, she had written a curriculum, now a traditionally published book titled "Bully in the Mirror". She has traveled across the US, teaching how to build self-confidence and how to effectively and positively combat bullying while sharing her insights and views on the subject.

Contribution

Shanaya has contributed as an author, motivational speaker, singer and as an artist.

Author

As an author Shanaya has written and published five books titled "Mystery School", "Mystery School Monday Sleepover Disaster", "Mystery School Crazy Adventures", and "Bully in the Mirror". In the summer of 2016, Shanaya published her fifth book (a paranormal/fantasy novel) titled "Velvet Door Society".

Speaker

Shanaya developed her own approach of speaking organically rather than scripted. She never feels nervous when speaking, nor sees a difference in the size of her audience, whether it be hundreds or thousands of people. Shanaya has spoken at schools, private institutions, orphanages and universities including The University of Southern California (USC), California State University San Bernardino (CSU), La Vern University, and many other places throughout the nation, including The Queen Mary. She has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people in her short career as an author and motivational speaker.

Singer

Shanaya has been writing music since the age of eleven. She has written, sung, and released multiple singles as of 2012. She leans towards creating music with eccentricity. Having a love for music as a whole, Shanaya has yet to restrain herself to a single genre or a single of anything in general. Her music is mainly alternative, with folk, rock, and blues influences.

Artist

Shanaya is strongly influenced and inspired by the TV series Supernatural. Being heavily involved in the Supernatural fandom, she runs a blog (under a pseudonym) about the show and cast. Her interest in the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre has guided her to write various unreleased novels and screenplays. She is also Known for her television appearances such as "The Jeff Probst Show," “Hit Me Up!" and others.

Awards and recognition

Shanaya has received many awards and recognitions from many prominent figures, including President Obama "President's Volunteer Service Award" in 2011, Governor Rick Perry "Shining Star of Texas Award" in 2009, The City of Burbank California's "Austin Cook Award for Outstanding Youth" on May 7, 2013, Prudential Financial and The National Association of Secondary School Principals "The Spirit of Community Award" in 2011, United Way "Appreciation for her National Anti-Bullying Program 'Bully in the Mirror', Kohl's Department Stores "Super Star Award" in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Landmark LTD.

“Extraordinary Book: Mystery School” Award For Excellence from over 3,000 entries in 2008 and My One School Incorporated (Charity) “Super Star Award” in recognition for leadership in promoting literacy globally in 2009.

In 2010 and 2011, Shanaya was eleven to twelve years old and was a member of The Youth Council (for high school students) in El Paso Texas after City Hall granted special permission for her to serve. She received a certificate of recognition both years.

The flag of the United States of America was flown in Afghanistan on November 11, 2012 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Honor of "Bully in the Mirror" and Shanaya Fastje, Author and Activist instilling the strength in children that they need to get through the torment of bullying around the world.

The city of El Paso Texas Mayor John Cook honored Shanaya by designating March 15, 2011 "Miss Shanaya Fastje Day", for her progressive work with Anti-Bullying.

On 28 June 2014, Fastje's fourth book Bully in the Mirror received first place in the 'Best Book Written by a Youth' category during the 16th Annual Int’l Latino Book Awards (the largest awards in the US celebrating achievements in Latino literature), held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shanaya also received an entry nomination in advance by a selected group of 126 judges for "Books to Film".