She finds that presenting the opposing point of view can be difficult, but also fun. "It's like a challenge and I like to speak my mind and I guess we have a sense of equalness with adults and they listen to us," she said. "It makes me feel like I'm being heard."

This is Pottenger's second year on the council.

Pottenger, who also has served in student government, said it's important for students to have a voice on the school's decision-making body.

Kaiser makes sure the students have a say in school policy.

Last year the SCBM had to deal with cell phone problems after teachers complained about students using phones during class. Members of the student government authored the new rules, which prohibit use during class time and includes penalties ranging from warnings to having the phone confiscated.

Pottenger has been active in student governance since her freshman year and has served on committees organizing banquets, dances and a Halloween costume contest.

She also has participated in several school service projects. At Koko Head Elementary, she and other Kaiser students played games and read to the younger children and helped them string cereal lei and make fish prints. Another service project involved going to the Shriners hospital and playing board games and beach volleyball with patients.

Pottenger has been a violinist in the school orchestra since her freshman year. Last summer, she learned to play saxophone and joined the marching band as well. Outside of school, she dances hula.

She also works 15 hours a week at Loco Moco Drive Inn.

With a schedule that includes physics and pre-calculus, Pottenger doesn't know how she manages to find the time to squeeze everything in. "I just go from one thing to the next," she said. She doesn't mind the packed schedule, because "it keeps me busy and I like to meet new people."

While she has been accepted to the University of Hawai'i, Pottenger is still waiting to hear from George Washington University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Part of her attraction to GWU in Washington, D.C., stems from her involvement in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program, through which she attended the World Leadership Congress in the capital.

Who helped you? "My parents, especially. They always encourage me."

What advice would you give to other kids who want to follow your example? "Enjoy what you're doing. Don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do."