Posted on: Thursday, August 19, 2004
ALL-STAR KIDS
Ruthe is gearing up for college
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
When Ruthe Simon's friends call her a nerd, she laughs it off and tells them she's just preparing for college.
Age: 16
School: Farrington High School
Grade: Junior Such dedication can only be expected of the president of Farrington High School's Gear Up club, part of a federal program intended to encourage students from low-income communities to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.
Simon recently returned from Washington, D.C., where she was one of 35 delegates to the 2004 Youth Leadership Summit sponsored by the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships and Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
She has come a long way from the shy girl who moved to Kalihi from the Philippines just three years ago with only limited English skills. Entering the seventh grade, she said, "I tried to really focus on school. It was hard at first, and I didn't have many friends, but as I went on and improved my English skills, that's when I began to build confidence and started getting involved in school activities."
In addition to Gear Up, Simon has also been a member of the Key Club and a hiking club and was the student council's merchandise chairperson for the sophomore class. As a member of the Cruising Around Tobacco Sales program, she helps police identify stores that sell cigarettes to minors.
Meanwhile, she has maintained a 3.9 grade-point average in the Health Academy at Farrington, and plans to double up on math and science next year to prepare for medical school.
She also finds time for community service — visiting children in hospitals, cleaning up beaches, parks and streams and helping with the Great Aloha Run and the Hawai'i Foodbank.
Her schedule may look packed, but Simon said she is careful not to take on more than she can handle. "I guess it's just time management," she said.
Q. Who helped you?
A. "My friends really are a big influence. They are the ones who told me to join this club and what it's all about. Basically the Gear Up staff is guiding me, telling me to join other activities and doing what they can do to help me get into college and be more successful."
Q. Do you have any advice for kids who want to follow your example?
A. "Keep trying and keep focused. It will help you explore and bring you to where you want to be."
To nominate someone you know for All-Star Kids, send your submissions (with photos) to tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or All-Star Kids, Honolulu Advertiser, 605 Kapi'olani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813. For more information, call 525-8014.
In all her talk about grades, courses and extracurricular activities she remains focused on that goal of higher education — first the University of Hawai'i, then medical school.
Name: Ruthe Simon
