Super Students
Saturday, January 31, 1998
Name: Cori-Ann Hirai
Age: 11
School: Kanoelani Elementary School
Favorite subject: Math
Pastimes: Ballet, Kumon classes, reading
Future: Librarian
At first glance, Cori-Ann Hirai is like any other 11-year-old -- a good student active in both school and extracurricular activities. World War II buff's 'got it all'
But if you delve a bit deeper, you'll find a girl who loves math and ballet, and has a passion for World War II history.
World War II history?
"Since I'm Japanese and they bombed Pearl Harbor, I wanted to learn everything about it," she said.
The Kanoelani Elementary sixth-grader said she has already read many World War II books and will definitely read more. She plans to pursue a career as a librarian with a background in the war's history, and inspire some other kids to read up on the subject as well.
But reading isn't the only thing keeping her busy. Besides classes, Hirai plans school activities as a Student Council officer, directs traffic as a Junior Police Officer, is the page designer for the yearbook staff, and an active Library Club member and Math Olympiad teammate.
She also dances ballet and takes extracurricular math classes at Kumon, activities pursued since she was four.
School Counselor Laurie Arakawa described Hirai as a highly motivated student -- smart and sociable, well respected by adults and peers, an "exceptional leader" with a "wonderful personality." Arakawa is confident in Hirai's ability to pursue any career.
"She's got it all," Arakawa said.
Kimberly Fu, Star-Bulletin
