Super Students
Saturday, November 8, 1997
Name: Aaron Johanson
School: Moanalua High School
Favorite subjects: English, Japanese
Pastimes: Debate, government, art
Future: Diplomacy or politics
Aaron Johanson, 17, is a diplomat or politician in the making. Ambassador in the making
The senior, who plans to pursue political science or international relations at an Ivy League school, is one of two student representatives on the Hawaii Parent Teacher Student Association's executive board.
"What interests me most is being able to help people," Johanson said. "For myself, that's something I want to do in life."
Johanson, son of Lawrence and Cindy Johanson, began targeting government service goals after two experiences. As a sophomore, he spent four months in Japan as a Pearl Harbor Rotary Club exchange student. And after placing first in varsity debate at the Hawaii Speech League's State Championship Tournament, he and his partner represented Hawaii at the National Forensic Tournament in Minneapolis in June.
"When I was in Japan, I realized how crucial international relations can be, and the national tournament supplemented the whole experience," Johanson said.
"Both those experiences heightened my appreciation for the value of communication."
He also is student vice president, National Honor Society-Moanalua chapter president, and chairs his school's extracurricular activities council.
"I'm gaining a lot of interesting experience," Johanson said. "My ultimate goal is to be the United States ambassador to Japan. but all I really want is to be as good as God wants me to be."
Rod Ohira, Star-Bulletin
