COMMENTARY
School affiliation plays role in lobbying for bills

By Kristine Duong

Some days, I agree with them. I guess I'm fortunate to have been exposed to many educational opportunities through my school.

However, there are other days when I wish I didn't carry the title of private school. Case in point: lobbying for education issues during the legislative session.

Bills concerning federal financing for textbooks for all public schools and full-year pay for student activities coordinators are important to the public school system but apparently don't do a thing for me.

Why does this mean I can't lobby for the bills? Who made up that rule anyway? People tell me, "Why should you even bother, these don't even concern you."

But they do.

Yes, I have been a private-school student my whole life and yes, the issues of decentralization and local school boards will not directly affect me in any way, shape or form. Most of the issues will not affect me or my future academic career.

So you may be thinking, "Why is she still huffing and puffing over this?"

My point is this: It shouldn't matter whether I or other lobbyists like me are from private or public schools. We are there writing testimonies and attending hearings because we care as students.

Private-school students are the minority almost everywhere in the country, but that doesn't mean we are forbidden to be vocal on the issues concerning our fellow students.

I am as much a student as the next teenager; I still have to deal with fussy teachers, nagging parents and a dismembered social life. I still have curfews, limited income and anxiety about my upcoming driver's license testing.

So why can't I, as a student, care for others?

Students play a crucial part this session because many of the proposed reforms center on our "failing, bureaucratic" educational system.

Has anyone noticed that since this legislative session began, the media have not referred to students for their opinions?

Students are probably thinking that only the adults who run the show have a say, right?

Wrong!

The process of lobbying isn't very difficult and I strongly encourage everyone to write to your representative or senator about your concerns. They enjoy hearing from you and it helps them serve us better.

Why should we, students, leave everything up to the decisions of elders?

Granted, they have more experience and wisdom on the subject matter, but we are the ones affected by these issues. Our opinion matters just as much as a senator's opinion to the Governor.

I challenge every student, especially those of you in high school, to write to your congressman.

I promise you, it will make a difference. You will make the difference.

Kristine Duong is a junior at Iolani School.

If you're a teen and would like to speak out about issues, trends, pressures and perceptions that teens deal with, submit an article or suggest a topic to Island Life deputy editor Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.