Personal: Age 16; son of David Yanagihara of Pukalani and Roswitha Gabriel of Wailuku; enjoys basketball, surfing, weightlifting, movie nights with friends, traveling and snowboarding.
At School: Officer in Japanese Club; member of the Student Senate, Interact Club; varsity athlete in basketball and track and field; Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) senior tutor and freshman master tutor; on the school Math League, Science Olympiad and STEM teams; enrolled in advanced placement biology, psychology and literature.
Off Campus: Volunteer with the Read Aloud program in Pukalani, Nisei Veterans Memorial Center doing cleanup, Chrysanthemum Festival, Walk For Cancer, Relay For Life.
Article Photos
Zachary Yanagihara
Beyond High School: Plans to attend a four-year university to major in biomedical engineering.
Who is your personal hero and why? "A hero is not defined by magical superpowers or a flashy outfit. A hero is an individual who selflessly cares for everyone around him or her. My personal hero is my father, David, who has been caring for me my entire life. Whether it was telling me to study a little longer or to practice a little harder, his support is the reason I am where I am in life today. Throughout the years, rough and smooth alike, he has never once given up on making sure that I achieve to the best of my ability. For that, words cannot express the appreciation and respect that I have for him."
Fact Box
The students in this weekly feature are selected by officials at their respective high schools. "Student Spotlight" recognizes students of good character who are involved in school or community activities such as athletics, clubs, student government and volunteer work.
