Super Students
Saturday, May 30, 1998
Name: Denicia Wong
Age: 14
School: Naalehu School
Favorite subject: Art
Pastimes: Rodeos, judo
Future: Nurse
It could be said Denicia Wong was born a rodeo champion. Not just horsing around
By age 3 she was riding horses; four years later she was roping them. Now 14 and an eighth-grader at Naalehu School, Wong has won six keiki rodeo championships and plans to win "in the big leagues" at the high-school level next year. Wong said she's worried about the competition at the new level, but knows she has what it takes to succeed. She has never let an injury stop her from competing, noting, "I broke my hand once and I still rode."
And quitting never was an option. Whenever she fell from her horse and felt like giving up, "My grandpa always put me back on." Which may be why Wong takes rodeos so seriously. She practices endlessly with her horses, has trained two and is an active member of the Kau Roping Club.
"People rant and rave about her abilities," said school counselor Tim Oliveira. "It (rodeo) requires so much discipline, responsibility. It's been a real saving grace for a lot of kids."
Wong's intense determination to succeed is also reflected in her good academic standing and in her judo skills. Wong, who trains at least twice a week, won the county's judo championships three times and is the proud holder of a purple belt, two away from a black belt.
"She's very focused, very mature for her age," said Oliveira. "She has been an outstanding student for quite some time."
Kimberly Fu, Star-Bulletin
