COMMENTARY
Let students help make the important decisions, too

By Kelsey Yamasaki

For the past two years, I have been involved in student government at the state level through the Hawai'i State Student Council.

There are many of us who care a great deal about our peers, our schools and

the future of Hawai'i and, at the same time, there are many students who are fairly uninformed and uninvolved with any form of school governance, locally or statewide.

Traditionally, students have played a minimal role at best in the governance of Hawai'i's public-education system. Such organizations as the Hawai'i State Student Council were created for students to engage in as citizens in their school communities.

The current form of student government, however, operates under the premise that students should be involved but not given any significant decision-making authority. Under the existing structure, student leaders only plan events and support issues introduced by adults at the local, district and state levels.

But this approach doesn't let us truly experience the governance process and what it means to be citizens. Our input on such issues as school uniforms and school lunches may be sought, but very little regard is given to inviting us to consider the more serious issues that impact us and that we would like to explore — such as being involved with teacher evaluations, the use of school funds, homework policies, alternative approaches to earning course credits, creative teaching strategies or campus safety.

I have had teachers who pushed me to think and grow. They believed in me, and I believe that today's youth could be playing a much larger role in the decisions that affect us, our education and, ultimately, the future of Hawai'i.

The first thing that must be done is to teach and then allow students to govern themselves. My time spent in student government and lobbying efforts has shown me that when students are given more authority and autonomy and when student leaders understand their roles and responsibilities, there can and will be a place at the table for students to work collaboratively with adults.

In my experience, every student has the ability to step up and become a major player in the decision-making process, even at the elementary level. But we need adults to support us, not belittle our abilities, doubt our intentions or try to control our potential.

The second action that must be initiated is to redesign student government. Student leaders must be willing to work with one another NOW to ensure the vitality and existence of their organizations.

I believe we can implement a process to allow all students in Hawai'i's public schools to be a part of the decision-making on issues that directly affect them.

It is time to make new traditions.

I can personally say it is possible. As the current legislative chairman of the Hawai'i State Student Council, I sometimes feel restrained and frustrated in my efforts to pursue the issues or concerns of students. There are other times, however, when I feel valued by adults in authority, such as Sen. Susie Chun-Oakland, Rep. Roy Takumi and Rep. Mark Takai.

They genuinely listen, exchange ideas with me and guide me to look at issues from more perspectives. I feel like what I am doing means something.

I know that youth have a legitimate, powerful voice and a lot of good ideas to offer as solutions to Hawai'i's problems, particularly in our schools.

Kelsey Yamasaki is a senior at Roosevelt High School.