Super Students
Saturday, January 17, 1998
Name:Kirk Tadasu Uejio
Age: 17
School: Iolani
Activities: Basketball, student government, tutoring
Interests: Poetry, listening to classical and R&B music
Iolani point guard Kirk Uejio's role model also plays basketball and is now a starter for the University of Hawaii, but not on the men's team. She's Iolani Schools alumna B.J. Itoman. Learning values from sports
"I played with her at Dennis Agena's Kalakaua Clinic," he said. "I learned good habits and a work ethic from her. She's a good person, too."
Uejio's other role models are his parents.
"They're my biggest fans," he said. "They didn't put too much pressure on me to succeed as long as I tried my best. That's really important."
With his parents' support, Uejio is succeeding both in school and on the basketball court.
He's got a 3.59 GPA and is the starting point guard on a team which placed second in the state last year.
He said sports have taught him values that have helped him in school and as a person.
"If you learn good lessons through basketball, I'm sure you'll be a successful person in life," he said.
Uejio is also a student government leader and is a peer leader who works with younger students to reduce substance abuse.
His history teacher describes him as "well-respected and a magnificent leader. He is the ultimate clutch player in class and out."
Uejio will be attending Claremont McKenna College in the fall and hopes to play basketball for the school's Division III team.
Besides basketball, Uejio's interests include listening to Scott Joplin ragtime, and the rhythm and blues group Boyz II Men.
Star-Bulletin staff
