WAILUKU, Maui — Wearing red and white Philadelphia Phillies' T-shirts, students at St. Anthony Junior Senior High School stood to form the number 8 in a school courtyard Friday afternoon as they celebrated "Shane Victorino Day" honoring the St. Anthony graduate now playing for Philadelphia in the World Series, The Maui News reported.

Victorino wears the number 8.

"I just think he's a role model for the school. He graduated from here, and look at where he is now," said seventh-grader Jill Capistran. "For us, anything is possible."

"I think it's cool because he came from this school," said ninth-grader Max Zemrus. "He's really good."

St. Anthony Principal Father James Orsini said after a special assembly that the day was not only to highlight Victorino's athletic abilities but to show what a good person he is. Teachers told the students at the assembly that Victorino was a model student who did well in the classroom and was also a leader on campus.

"He's a good example of character. Where you don't give up, you keep on coming back," Orsini said, alluding to Victorino's up and down career, going back and forth between the major and minor leagues, before he settled in at center field for Philadelphia last year.

The World Series between Philadelphia and the Tampa Bay Rays is tied at one game apiece. The teams will meet again today at 2:35 p.m. in Philadelphia. Victorino is batting .500 in the two World Series games.

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