Awaiting Word : El Modena High Junior Is Finalist for State Education Board Seat

Wanted: One 1985-86 high school senior to serve as student member of the California State Board of Education, to be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Found: Three finalists, including Orange County’s Henry Chu, a gifted student at El Modena High School in Orange.

Henry is a 16-year-old junior who seems to excel at everything he does.

“In my 14 years in education, I’ve seen several students who shine in one area,” said Karen Fleming, El Modena’s work-experience coordinator and Henry’s counselor in junior high school. “But Henry interacts in all areas with real humility and enthusiasm.”

Henry, too, ranks enthusiasm as one of the most important qualities he would bring to the state board. “Enthusiasm,” he said, “is the spark that ignites any endeavor.”

On Thursday, Gov. George Deukmejian or his top aides interviewed Henry and the other finalists, both girls from Northern California, wrapping up an intricate selection process that began in September.

Back then, all high school principals, activity directors and student body presidents in California were asked by the state Board of Education to encourage qualified juniors to apply for the position. Besides a written application and a transcript of grades, three letters of reference were submitted.

The board then selected 12 candidates. From these, student delegates to the California School Boards Assn.’s annual conference cut the number to six.

The board then interviewed the six and submitted the names of the three finalists to the governor. The winner is expected to be announced in about a week.

Henry said that if the governor chooses him to sit on the Board of Education, one of his goals will be to “represent fairly the needs of students with a degree of open-mindedness.” Moreover, he said, since trend-setting California is the only state with a voting student on its board, he would like to serve as an example to other states.

Thus far in his high school career, Henry has served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper, Associated Student Body senator-at-large, president of the Library Club, class vice president and El Modena’s representative to the California Assn. of Student Councils.

He also has maintained a grade-point average of 4.0 since he began junior high school; received the Outstanding Graduate Award in history, math and English; placed first in English, math, science, interview and talent in the Orange County Academic Decathlon, and is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation.

He also has studied piano for 11 years and has performed in concert all over California. Of Bach, his favorite composer, Henry said, “I like the logic that drives his music.” Henry was the first runner-up in the 1982 International Bach Competition in Washington, D.C.

He also is a “super scooper” at a local ice cream parlor after school and on weekends, and an avid reader of Agatha Christie novels. On the campus, people know him as an exuberant announcer of student activities over the public address system.

Perhaps he is just a natural. After all, his older brother and sister, Howard and Margaret, graduated from El Modena at the top of their classes. Both now attend UC Berkeley. Their parents, born and raised in China, have been “very supportive” of all three of the children, Henry said.

What happens after high school still is undecided. Although he hasn’t decided on a major, Henry is eyeing some of the nation’s top universities: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Berkeley.

Right now, however, everyone at El Modena and the Orange Unified School District is rooting for the favorite son.