Most 18-year-olds don’t spend their Monday nights at Bellevue City Hall, debating and advocating light-rail and other transit issues.

Then again, Daniel Warwick isn’t your average 18-year-old.

The Interlake High School senior often eschews sports and video games for technical memorandums and board meetings. And now, as he completes his college applications, Warwick is attempting to be a part of the city’s Transportation Commission and the East Bellevue Community Council.

“As long as I’m here, and I don’t have that many responsibilities, I might as well give back to my community that gives me so much,” Warwick said.

Warwick has been motivated for much of his life by a thirst for knowledge.

As a frequent bus rider, he’s noticed some problems. And he’s found similarly interested people through media sources like the Seattle Transit Blog, a website dedicated to local transportation issues.

This community stoked his involvement even more. Warwick served on the Eastside Sounding Board for King County Metro, in charge of route revisions for the Eastside. There he met Franz Loewenherz, a senior transportation planner at the city of Bellevue.

Loewenherz was immediately impressed with Warwick’s knowledge and passion.

“He has a very firm understanding of the routes that serve Bellevue,” Loewenherz said. “He’s probably ridden every route many times, so not only does he know where they go, but also where they could probably more effectively in the system.”

Warwick spent the summer at City Hall, where he learned a lot. Always a political person, he discovered how he can best shape policy.

At the local level, Warwick volunteered on City Council member John Stokes’ campaign. There he learned the phrase “every vote counts” rings true. This race was decided by fewer than than 60 votes, and could have been swung by one extra block of doorbelling here or there.

Warwick has expanded his political activity over the years. He’s involved in the 48th District Democrats, as well as his runs for Transportation Commission and East Bellevue Community Council. He speaks with the composure of an elected official, steering questions and conversations in the directions he feels comfortable. His friends and colleagues can see him as a politician.

“He’s destined for success wherever his academic success or political pursuits take him,” Loewenherz said. “I think he’s top-notch individual.”

All of these experiences have helped shape Warwick. His school-age friends know him as a transportation guru; any bus route question goes through him. He’s also involved in his school’s chapter of DECA, an international student business association.

With a strong resume already, Warwick is looking at schools such as Harvard, or maybe staying local so he can continue to influence the area. Though he’s not a straight “A” student, Warwick is hard-working and motivated.

Warwick admits he doesn’t get the same satisfaction out of some of the pursuits of his age groups because he is thinking about the big picture all the time.

“When I’m not really out there effecting change in my community, that’s just a waste of time,” he said.