House Floor Remarks for 2003 Principals of the Year
March 31, 2004
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, when we think of people who were most influential in our lives, educators come quick to mind. As a young thirteen year-old freshman at Pearl City High School, I remember my social studies teacher requiring us to memorize an interesting fact about all the Presidents of the United States and to read inspiring historical accounts such as a portion of United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye's biography. He made history and politics “cool.” It is through school that I was reminded of all the sacrifice done by those before me. Although, not apparent at that time, I believe this was the spark that left an impression on me that would eventually lead me to law and politics.
Likewise, I believe Principal Curtis Young is leaving a lasting impression on the many students he has worked with. Therefore, I am honored to recognize Mr. Curtis Young of Honowai Elementary School, the 2003 National Distinguished Principal, also known as Hawaii’s Elementary Principal of the Year. Mr. Young, will you please rise and be recognized.
In July of last year, I had the privilege of surprising Mr. Young with a framed House Certificate before the children that inspire him and the teachers and staff that support him at a student assembly at Honowai Elementary School. I believe it was not a surprise to anyone at the assembly that Mr. Young was recognized because he is the Principal of the Year every year at Honowai.
As some of our schools struggle to meet the standards of the Federal “No Child Left Behind Act,” Mr. Young’s leadership has left the standards of that act in the dust. As Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter Susan Essoyan stated in an article about him in December of last year, “The numbers look almost too good to be true. At Honowai Elementary School, which serves mostly low-income students in Waipahu, test scores keep going up.”
In 1997, 60 percent of the third-graders scored below average on the reading SAT. In 2003, only 18 percent did so.
In 1999, the first time fifth-graders took the SAT, just 7 percent scored above average. Just four years later, 35 percent scored above average.
He was able to provide inspiration and encouragement in a school that has one of the largest English-as-a-second language populations and where 70 percent of the students are poor enough to qualify for subsidized lunches. The following is Mr. Young's belief as stated in the Star Bulletin article, “My fundamental belief is if you're going to make a difference with kids, that difference must be made at the level of interaction between the student and the teacher. Training for teachers, support for teachers, the time for teaching and the resources.”
Not only has Mr. Young provided a nurturing environment to promote student achievement, but also staff achievement in which the Milken Family Foundation found a National Educator in Leonard Villanueva, who I was privileged to honor in our Chamber last year. When Mr. Villanueva was asked how to replicate Honowai’s success, he gave a three-word formula: “Clone Mr. Young.”
At Honowai Elementary School, Mr. Young has “reformed” criticism into challenges, obstacles into opportunities, and excuses into examples. He reforms education every day so that everyone their school can achieve success.
Mr. Young, thank you for your service. Also joining him in our Gallery is his wife, Carol Young. Ms. Young, will you rise and be recognized.
At this time I would like to relinquish the floor to Representative Glenn Wakai who will speak about our next honoree. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 