THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604250169
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
ON APRIL 18, two Cox High School students emerged as outstanding young citizens in the annual contest sponsored by the Virginia Beach Civitan Club.
The winner, John Koubaroulis, 17, received a plaque and a $100 savings bond. Lee Coleman Hinnant, 17, was presented a plaque and a $50 savings bond. Both were chosen out of more than 40 nominees, according to Robert Vanek, club president.
``These children are like Hallmark cards; they give their very best,'' said Vanek.
Koubaroulis, a junior, started making changes in the world community in elementary school. In the sixth grade, he traveled to Miyazaki, Japan, on his first international peace mission. Upon his return, he addressed the Virginia Beach City Council to promote a sister-city relationship between Virginia Beach and Miyazaki. The bid passed. That trip sparked his interest in politics, particularly international relations.
He was later chosen to represent the United States in Australia and New Zealand as a People-to-People student ambassador.
``I learned that leadership was a service,'' Koubaroulis said. ``I enjoy serving people.''
Unknowingly, his mother, Matilda, helped to prepare him for public life by enrolling him in karate school when he was 6. She said she was more interested in her son growing personally than learning to defend himself there. In retrospect, both said she made a good decision.
A black belt since age 12, Koubaroulis said that his training has helped him to boost his confidence and remain positive. It's what gives him the courage to stand up and make speeches in front of hundreds of people, his mother said.
Koubaroulis gives some credit to his karate instructor, Hiroyuki Hamada, who yelled, ``Never give up! Never give up!''
``I always have that spirit of never giving up,'' said Koubaroulis, the eldest of three children and an honor students with a 3.6 grade point average.
This attitude has helped him in all his endeavors, according to his father, Vasilios. Whether swimming competitively, fund-raising or running for a political post, he remains optimistic.
Koubaroulis has been involved in the Student Cooperative Association for six years, and is running for SCA president at Cox in the May 3 election. Politics is his game. He knows the players on Capitol Hill like other boys know players in the NBA, his mother said. As a hobby, he collects presidential memorabilia.
With future aspirations for a military career that leads to politics, the Virginia Beach native has his plans laid. He is paving his way to the Oval Office, he said.
Meanwhile, he stays firmly grounded in Christian beliefs, he said. He worships at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he serves as an altar boy, chanter of Byzantine Greek and Greek folk dancer.
First runner-up Lee Hinnant, a pensive student with a 4.22 grade point average who plans to attend Yale University in September, has her own philosophy, too.
``(The) greatest challenge is to remain determined regardless of what people (think),'' she said.
Before entering high school, she intended to make straight A's throughout. By taking advanced placement courses, she even exceeded 4.0, the top grade. Because AP courses count for college credit, this young woman will enter Yale as a sophomore.
Ranked third in a class of 490, Hinnant excelled in subjects ranging from AP French to AP calculus. She had a good start.
An only child, Hinnant developed a love for books early on, said her mother, Linda.
``By the time she came home from the hospital, there was a book in her crib,'' she said. ``There was never a day when there wasn't a book on her bed.''
As a small girl, Hinnant cried when it was time to leave the library, her mother recalled. Kent, Hinnant's father, remembered a summer day when she read five books from cover to cover. Her affinity for learning has earned her more than 60 honors and awards. In the family room, wooden plaques sit neatly atop a bureau - many bearing the inscription ``Battle of the Books.'' She has been recognized for excellence in math, science, English, French, photography and poetry, to name a few.
When she's not busy making the grades, Hinnant spends time helping the community. As a Key Club member, she rang the Salvation Army bell, stuffed stockings for needy children and made cards for the local children's hospital. She assisted in an effort by Back Bay Wildlife to plant trees and bushes and has volunteered with Clean the Bay, March of Dimes, the public library and Toys for Tots.
Though born prematurely with spastic dyplesia (weakening of the leg muscles), Hinnant has no need for excuses. She has never allowed her condition to affect her ability to perform, she said.
``I have a disability, but my accomplishment stands alone and plays no part in my being recognized.''
Hinnant aspires to become a primary care physician in a small community. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLES MEADS
Contest winners John Koubaroulis and Lee Hinnant.
by CNB