C.J. Tausaga
If you were a high school athletic director, what qualities would you look for in the ideal student-athlete?
An impact, all-state quality player? Good attitude, with a solid work ethic and leadership abilities? Strong academic record? Participation in student activities; helping the school at large?
And last but not least — a nice, friendly kid? Where do you find someone who has all of that?
At 'Aiea High School, that's where.
Football, baseball Grade-point average: 3.2 College: University of Hawai'i
C.J. Tausaga is a terrific athlete, making the Advertiser's All-State first team for football as a defensive back and the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division first-team all-star list as a center fielder.
'Aiea
He was a team leader in both sports, helping Na Ali'i win the inaugural Division II state football championship and their first OIA baseball title since 1994, both as a junior.
Tausaga also carried a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average, was senior class president, wrote for the school newspaper and was president of 'Aiea's athletic club. Beyond that, when his new friend, Ikaika Tan of Kapolei, died in a car accident in January, Tausaga took up a collection at school and later presented $500 to the Tan family.
Tausaga was someone all the students at 'Aiea could look up to, as an athlete, campus leader and all-around nice guy.
He plans to walk on to the football team at the University of Hawai'i, where he no doubt will make an impact one way or another.
