Super Students
Saturday, November 22, 1997
Name: Reid Chung
School: Mililani High
Age: 17
Favorite subject: Psychology
Pastimes: Cross-country and track, basketball, golf
Future: Political science
Senior Reid Chung of Mililani has made student government an important part of his life. Standing up for students
It started when he was voted student body president in the sixth-grade.
"Since then, it stuck with me," said Chung.
His mother, an elementary school teacher, also urged him to get involved in school activities. "Don't go for less than the best," she told him.
As this year's Hawaii State Student Council chairman, he's been an articulate voice for public school students across the state.
It's not an easy job, said Winston Sakurai, a Board of Education member who also served as council chairman while a student at Kalaheo High School. "You have to look at the broader perspective and be a lobbyist for the cause of the students."
It takes a lot of maturity to work with both students and adults on the board and Department of Education - and Chung fits the bill, he said.
Chung's peers call him efficient and committed.
"He's put a lot of work into student government," said council vice-chairman Pedro Haro.
Lately, Chung and student council leaders have pushed the Department of Education to improve school safety by providing more and better-trained security guards, and cleaner restrooms.
The department, heeding their concerns, responded with proposed bills to the next Legislature. Lawmakers can expect Chung and fellow students to be testifying and dogging those proposals.
Debra Barayuga, Star-Bulletin
