OUR SCHOOLS • MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Tigers roar proudly over campus traditions

By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer

On the first day of school, every freshman at President William McKinley High receives a crash course in the school's rich tradition, which dates to 1865.

That's hallowed ground in the grassy circle fronting McKinley High School's administration building. No one gets to set foot near President McKinley's statue except for seniors on graduation day. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Reminders of the tradition are everywhere, from the statue of President McKinley in the center of the hallowed Dr. Miles E. Carey circle, to the tiger stripes in the gymnasium and a trail of tiger paws on the sidewalks outside the locker rooms.

The school's regard for tradition and history is even more evident when visitors step into the administrative building, where pictures of more than 150 distinguished alumni grace the upper walls of the main hallway. Among them: entertainer Carole Kai, U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, Olympic swimmer Ford Konno and Herman Lum, former chief justice of the Hawai'i Supreme Court.

And tradition gives rise to a strong sense of school pride and campus unity.

"It's like family," said junior Teresa Reindle, 17, a transfer student from South Korea by way of North Carolina. "I'm proud of my school. I respect my school, and the lunches are good, too."

The school is one of the largest in the state — both in size, at 55 acres, and in enrollment, with close to 1,900 students. The school operates on a modified year-round schedule with only a month off for summer vacation.

"We have high expectations for our students," said Principal Milton Shishido. "A lot of kids are here because they want to be here," said Shishido, citing a waiting list of 150 seeking admission from other districts.

• What are you most proud of? The diversity of the student body, as well as courteous, respectful and friendly behavior by the students, Shishido said.

• Best-kept secret: McKinley High's school-to-work specialized programs, which include graphic arts, childcare, academy of finance, food service and robotics.

• Everybody at our school knows: Vice Principal John Hammond, who has served as a teacher and a coach at the school. The 6-foot-6 Hammond once played professional football for the Washington Redskins.

• What we need: More state assistance in program and curriculum development; more parental involvement. Signage in front of the school would be nice, too.

• Special events: Alumni are added to the Hall of Honor every year upon selection by a six-member committee. Commencement exercises are held on campus — and that's when seniors get to set foot on the sacred "oval."