Super Students
Saturday, December 5, 1998
Name: Karen Takishita
Age: 16
School: Iolani School
Favorite subject: Japanese
Pastimes: Running
Future: International lawyer
Every day seems like a good day for Karen Takishita. Cheerful and eager outlook
"You can say, 'We're going to write 10,000 kanji today,' and she'll go, 'Okay,' while everybody else is saying, 'You've got to be kidding,' " said Linda Tatsuno, Takishita's teacher last year for a Japanese IV Honors class.
A senior at Iolani School, Takishita takes on any assignment with enthusiasm, Tatsuno said. "That's what makes her a special person."
Takishita was recently selected as a Wo Scholar for a "Focus on Japan" cultural immersion session, sponsored by the Wo International Center at Punahou School. Takishita said she's always been interested in learning more about Japanese culture and plans to pursue a college degree in international relations. Her career goal is to become an international lawyer.
Takishita, who has a 3.9 grade-point average, juggles many responsibilities. She's co-chair of a community service committee, co-captain of Iolani's Color Guard and vice president of the Serteens Club, a service club for gifted and talented students from grades 7 to 12.
On top of that, she's taking advanced-placement courses in European history, English and biology.
Always cheerful and upbeat, Takishita never seems to buckle under stress, Tatsuno said. "So you never know whether she's having a bad day. You can put anything in front of her, and she'll do it cheerfully."
By Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
