Super Students
Saturday, June 14, 1997
Name: Darlene Dela Cruz
Age: 13
School: Kalakaua Intermediate
Pastimes: Listening to music, volleyball
Future: Pediatrician
Darlene Dela Cruz says her role models are women who succeed in a male-dominated society. The 13-year-old eighth-grader from Kalakaua Intermediate School says she felt great to be at the 1996 National Geography Bee, where she was one of four female contestants. She's also good at Spanish
Geography bee champions from each state and U.S. territory went to Washington, D.C., last month to compete for the national title.
Dela Cruz, a first-time Hawaii champion, said she didn't fare well with the other child whizzes, especially the eventual winner from Washington state, who has competed in the bee for four years.
"It was so hard," Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz, the daughter of Nestor and Aurora Dela Cruz of Kalihi, said being state champion was a great honor. "It took a while to sink in," she said.
Dela Cruz is a member of the Junior National Honor Society through which she volunteers for community projects. She is also a cracker-jack Spanish student -- one of 10 to receive a perfect grade on a national Spanish exam.
"She's an honorable student," said Dale Kimura, her teacher and geography coach. "It's so hard to prepare a student for a geography bee because there are millions of questions they could ask."
Dela Cruz studied every day during lunch and after school for four months to prepare herself.
"You have to be willing to study a lot and not slack off," Dela Cruz said.
Candace Meierdiercks, Star-Bulletin
