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Rant & Rave
EVERYBODY knows what is wrong with their school but spend most of their time whining about the problems without trying to do anything to solve the problems. Schools can improve
with student inputAs a student, I know it seems an impossible task to attempt to get a computer lab, start a new safety program or get teacher evaluations for the school. Those are issues for adults while we attend to our studies.
However, when student representatives from around the state get together, coming up with solutions to campus problems becomes a more realistic dream.
The Hawaii State Student Conference has been around since 1970, when Gov. John A. Burns signed it into law. Every school is allotted one delegate per 600 students. Delegates meet twice in their districts before the conference, and spend two days at a statewide conference debating on resolutions they write and making plans for lobbying the legislature. Resolutions are the concerns and the proposed solutions that the students would like the legislature to address.
I would like to encourage more students to attend this conference. It really has made a big impact in my life, involving me in student activities and shaping me as a civic-minded person.
I first got involved with the State Student Conference when I saw a poster that said that I could take up the cause of student concerns. It seemed to be the perfect opportunity for me to do something about all the problems I saw in my school.
As a transfer student to public school from a private one, I missed all the things I had taken for granted. The students' biggest need was a computer lab. A lot of my teachers told us that we should type out our papers. In public schools, there are many students who do not have computers at home and for them to be asked to type out papers for class without access to a computer seemed unfair.
I have a computer at home, but a lot of my time is spent in school, where only a handful of computers are available in the library and must be shared by the whole student body.
My resolution proposed a computer lab at every high school in the state. Although it didn't pass, by two votes, at least I can say that I tried.
The student conference is about more than just bringing up concerns to the legislature as a body, and lobbying for it. You also get to meet other students that care and have the same concerns as you, and together you can do more than you could just by yourself.
Let your dreams blossom.
STUDENTS MEET
What: E Ho'omohala I na Moemoea o Kakou -- 2000 State Student Conference for public and private students in grades 7 to 12.
Yoon Jee Kim is a senior at Roosevelt High School and chairperson of the Hawaii State Student Conference 2000.
Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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