ALL-STAR KIDS
Maui junior to work in Congress
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
Next month 16-year-old Awapuhi Dancil will leave for Washington, D.C., to spend five months as U.S. Rep. Ed Case's first appointment to the Congressional Page Program.
While Dancil said she hadn't aspired to the position, she jumped at the opportunity when she and four other juniors were encouraged to apply. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so I went for it," she said.
Age: 16 School: Kamehameha Schools, Maui campus Grade: Junior
The students were nominated for their grade point averages and extracurricular activities, which were so equally matched that the final selection was made by drawing a name from a box.
Awapuhi Dancil
Dancil maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is a charter member of the school's chapter of the National Honor Society. She tutors middle school students and plays acoustic guitar.
And, "I'm big on soccer," said Dancil, a goalie. "I'm on the varsity team this year."
She is also active in her church, the Waipuna Chapel in Kula.
"Awapuhi's academic achievements and strength of character make her an outstanding appointee for this unique educational and work experience on Capitol Hill," Case said.
Dancil is one of 72 students from across the nation selected to serve as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives. The pages attend the House Page School at the Library of Congress and live in a residence hall two blocks from the Capitol. They also participate in the Washington InSiders Program, which exposes them to educational and cultural programs through field trips and guest speakers.
Dancil, who has never spent a great deal of time away from home, sees the post as a good preview of college. She expects the days to be long, with her first class of the day beginning at 6:45 a.m. and work ending at 5 p.m.
She wonders whether spending time in Washington will lead to an interest in politics. Right now she plans to follow in her late father's footsteps and go into social work, as well as serve as a missionary after high school or during the summer when she attends college.
Dancil's father was the late Roch "Rocky" Dancil, a victim's witness counselor for the Maui prosecuting attorney.
"Rocky Dancil was respected throughout Maui County and it is great to be able to help his daughter along in the commitment to public service which she inherited from him," Case said.
Dancil thinks the people and life skills she has developed at church will help her deal with new people and balance school work with her page responsibilities.
Who helped you? "My mom (Sue Dancil). She's just really strong. My dad passed away two years ago and it's just me and her. She's been really supportive and encouraging," Dancil said.
While Dancil had been worried her mom would not want her to spend a semester away from home, her mom surprised her by encouraging her to take advantage of the opportunity.
What advice would you give to other students who might want to follow your example? "If you're willing to put yourself in a new situation and looking for something with a little more challenge, then go for it," she said.
