ALL-STAR KID
Add student ambassador, imu digger to teen's resume
At 13, Janelle Chong has already learned a lot about being a leader, through school and serving as a student ambassador in Europe last summer.
Age: 13 School: Washington Middle School Grade: 8
A member of the student government since the fourth grade, she is now the treasurer of the Washington Middle School student body government, helping to organize schoolwide activities like fund-raisers, talent shows and career fairs.
Janelle Chong
"We usually do activities for the holidays to make it more fun," she said.
But the highlight of her leadership activities has been a three-week trip through Europe as part of the People-to-People Student Ambassador program. Along with students from several states, Chong visited England, France, Germany and other European countries sightseeing and learning about different kinds of government, which included a discussion with a member of the British Parliament.
"It's probably the most enjoyable thing I've ever done in my whole life," she said.
The biggest lesson she learned is how similar people are, no matter where they live. "You realize how close everybody is, they really are like you are," she said.
Along with her school activities, Chong has also been a Girl Scout since first grade. These days she spends a lot of time mentoring younger scouts, which includes helping teaching them salesmanship skills prior to the annual cookie sale.
Through Girl Scouts, she organized a canned food drive at her church, but that's far from the only thing she has done for the United Church of Christ. She helps out with the penny carnival, the Halloween activities and the annual lu'au.
"I'm the only female to be actually digging in the imu pit," she said.
Chong also finds herself involved in Kaimuki High School activities because her dad teaches there and is coordinator for the school's Project Graduation. "I get volunteered for everything," she said, but she doesn't mind. "It's fun ... and it's kind of a way to pay him back.
Chong likes her busy schedule. "Besides the fact that you're helping, which is really important, some of it is really fun," she said. "I enjoy doing that kind of stuff."
Who helped you? "My dad. He emphasizes the extra curricular activities, as well as the school work," she said, noting that she has cut back on sports — soccer, tennis and basketball — to make time for more challenging courses.
What advice would you give to other kids who want to follow your example? Visit the People-to-People Web site at www.studentambassadors.org, Chong advises. She also recommends getting involved in student government. "If you're not going to become an officer, then try to be a representative or a volunteer."
Reach Treena Shapiro at 525-8014 or tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
