Incoming freshmen at Waipahu High School already are showing their school spirit.

With the start of the school year still several weeks off, some freshmen are on campus putting the finishing touches on their class mural, which is part of a schoolwide effort.

Each of the school's four classes paints a section on the wall of Building F, next to the cafeteria, during the summer break.

Waipahu High principal Patricia Pederson says the murals showcase the individuality of each class as they work together in creating an image to represent themselves. Many layers of paint attest to the tradition of more than 20 years.

The class murals flank a larger school mural, which is painted by student government members. It aims to symbolize unity at Waipahu High.

The freshman class — the largest of the four, with 800 students — is painting a warrior mural. Dressed in the class colors of purple and silver, the warrior's features represent relentlessness in striving toward goals. The scars on his body illustrate a desire to push forward despite challenges.

Waipahu High, the oldest high school on O'ahu's west side, was established in 1938. Pederson said the school is now known as the learning center for business management and computer technology.

Four academies place emphasis on finance, hospitality and tourism, and information technology.

What are you most proud of? Pederson said she's especially proud of the students, faculty and staff, maintaining that the school excels in individualizing student experience. "We personalize with our students because these are transitional years," Pederson said. The school requires that freshmen enroll in a "Focus on Freshman" class, and places incoming ninth-graders in "freshman houses." A group of four to five teachers share a cohort of about 90 students.

Best-kept secret: Students. "People who come to Waipahu High School ... are just amazed at how much aloha our students show them," Pederson said. "I always have people come back and say, 'Oh, Patty, you've got such awesome students!' "

Everybody at our school knows: Principal Patricia Pederson. "All fingers pointed to me," said Pederson, adding that she tries to be as visible on campus and make a point to individually know students. She also said that her administrative team is well known on campus, adding that she could not maintain the school's successes without their hard work and assistance.

Our biggest challenge: "For students to continually understand that learning is a lifetime experience," Pederson said. "We prepare our students for the global world and the global economy." Waipahu High School is a School-to-Career institution, which is an integral part of an ongoing school re-design effort.

What we need: A multifunctional telephone and communication system. Pederson said just the administration building and a few classrooms now have telephones. She would like to eventually install a sophisticated telephone and public-announcement system in every building on campus.

Special events: Ninth-grade science fair. "It really stimulates a lot of new interests and learning," Pederson said. "And a lot of students continue (further researching) on their topic."