Walker was one of about six or seven York High students who agreed to be interviewed by me for a column about The New Hustle, a group of between 15 and 20 black and Latino students who were willing to mentor at-risk elementary school students in an attempt to solve little problems before they became big problems.

I checked my notes, and this is one of the things Walker said three years ago: "It's all about reaching out and touching someone's life," he said. That, from a high school freshman.

The young man was wise beyond his years. He was the youngest student in the group, but there he was, trying to solve problems such as gang violence, drug activity, disrespectful behavior, bullying and disappointing graduation rates that he knew were part of the York High scene.

He was probably in over his head, but he didn't know it. And he didn't seem to care.

Two years later, as a junior, Walker was selected as the student recipient of a York City Human Relations Commission award -- the Lewis Atwater II Memorial Youth Award -- given to a city student who exemplifies high academics, commitment to school, involvement in community activities and community service.

"Without a doubt, Brandon Walker is a positive role model in our school and community," acting principal Rona Kaufmann said. "He exemplifies young adult commitment to social justice and equal rights."

That same week, Walker -- he had a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average -- also was named the September National Student-Athlete of the Month by the National Football Foundation and college Hall of Fame. He was selected from more than 10,000 students under consideration for the award.

Two months ago, Walker signed a letter of intent to attend, on a full football scholarship, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"There are three principles in life I follow," Walker said that day to a group of peers, "desire, determination and sacrifice. There are times when people don't accept you and even friends don't accept you. But you can't let that stop you."

As I said, wise beyond his years.

Then there was Walker, along with fellow student Nate Valdez, in a picture on the cover of last Thursday's York Dispatch YorkToday section. This time he was addressing the York City school board about an issue near and dear to his heart: student behavior.

It's been a hot issue within the York City School District of late. The school board has been talking about adding six police officers to the high school environment in an effort to control disruptive behavior and improve security.

Some folks believe that's a good idea. Some folks don't like it one bit.

Walker and Valdez believed the school board should hear the students' point of view.

Walker, by the way, is the student body president. If he is president of this country some day, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

For one thing, Walker advised the board, students want more consistency in rule enforcement. They also would like the guidance counseling staff to be expanded and more career-oriented courses being offered to students.

"Our job is to make sure when kids leave (graduate from York High), they are ready for society, ready for jobs," Walker said.

To that end, he said, the students believe it's more important to enforce rules with consistency than to fill the halls with police officers. That sends the wrong message about York High to the community.

And that's one thing Walker and some of his peers have been focused on for years -- creating a more positive image of York High throughout York County.

This is a young man who has talked the talk and then walked the walk. He remained a student at York High when he easily could have transferred, as many others have over the years, to another school district or a private high school where his academic and athletic accomplishments might have been more heralded.

But he didn't cut and run. He stayed. He fought the good fight.

By virtue of Walker's own conduct, his academic achievement and his commitment to a high school and community he clearly loves, he deserves to be heard.

He is a young man of substance. More importantly, he is the embodiment of the kind of student the school board aspires to produce year in and year out.

Discover what makes him tick. Clone him if you can.

If wise, the school board will listen to what he has to say.

And very closely.

Columns by Larry A. Hicks, Dispatch columnist, run Mon days, Wednesdays and Fri days. E-mail: lhicks@yorkdispatch.com.