Super Kid: Jacob Micheletti of Lakewood High School is a positive influence

Q: So your football team did pretty well this fall. What position did you play? Do you play other sports?

A: I played cornerback. We had a good football season, made it to the quarter finals, and I think we surprised a lot of people. And, yes, I'll run track again this spring.

Q: We understand you are the student body president and that you have an unusual agenda for the year.

A: Yeah, it's all about pushing happiness. We're trying hard to get to know the names of every student in the school and make a genuine effort to make sure they feel like they belong here. More than any test score or grade, as cliche as this may sound, a smile from someone is so rewarding. Your school is only as happy as you make it.

Q: Wow!

A: Yeah, the mood in our school has changed tremendously. We have High-5 Zones in the hallways, which encourage people to look each other in the eye. This attitude has helped us as a football team, and we're passing it around the school. There really is something about the power of positive influence.

Q: So your goal in life is to be president?

A: I am not inclined toward politics, but I want to be an instrument of change. Maybe I'll study to become a teacher.

Q: Where are you applying for college?

A: I love Seattle, so I really want to go to the University of Washington. My dad is always talking to me about finding my niche, but I am not sure what I want to study. I like physics and calculus. I'm in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and I also wonder if I could go into business mediation. I would like to help people communicate with each other.

Q: What is your senior project this year?

A: I am going to do a job shadow with Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe. Law is another interest for me as well as forensic science and criminal justice.

Q: What about community service projects?

A: My friend, Zach Smith, who is the ASB business manager, and I have worked on Special Olympics, and helped out at the Stillaguamish Senior Center, the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, Arlington Kids Kloset and the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle.

Q: When you're not doing all these great things ...?

A: I snowboard at Stevens Pass. I recently read a biography of Steve Jobs. I am trying to learn how to play acoustic guitar. If I could have just one talent it would be to play guitar and sing. I listen to Boyce Avenue, but also I like the hip-hop guy from Seattle, Macklemore.

Q: What else does being ASB president entail?

A: The student council gets to run the assemblies, we're involved in the leadership class and Interhigh activities. I also have attended school board meetings to lend the student experience and perspective to the district's levy campaign, which I plan to participate in. Another thing we've done this year is pick up trash after home games and other events. The praise we get for that makes it worth it.

Q: Sounds as if your parents have done a good job.

A: Their influence makes all the difference for me and my brother. I don't take it for granted, though, because I know a lot of kids who don't have that kind of stable home life. And that's another thing about people. You never know what they are dealing with and that's why being positive is so important.

Q: Why are you and some of the other guys in your school wearing goatees?

A: Well, (laughing) this is all I can grow. Some guys actually have pretty good beards. It's No-Shave November, a way we show our support for the fight against prostate cancer.