EC SUPERFAN!

One of our most ardent fans, Peter Hidano ’10, regularly emails the school with encouragement, thoughtful notes, drawings and suggestions for his alma mater. Here, we share a few drawings and insights from Peter and his mom, Denise Hidano.

What do you do for fun?

PeTer: I play my Nintendo Switch (Zelda). I am 70.5% complete. Visit Gil and EC when I can and give them money so that we can make EC really big. I mean really big.

MoM: Peter is online a lot—playing video games and watching EC sports (via NFHS). He also enjoys checking on, chatting with and assisting elder neighbors, making meals for and walking his dog, joining weekly family dinners, and talking sports with his roommate Eric L. ’95. Most of all he enjoys raising awareness to everyone he knows about everything EC—sports, teachers, staff and alumni activities.

Peter finally completed 25 community service hours after persevering for nine years after graduation. He continues to volunteer regularly and is signed up again for this year’s Memorial Day celebration.

What are your favorite things about Eastside Catholic?

PeTer: The community, the family, the sports and the alumni involvement and four state football titles—2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019. Are we due for another one?

MoM: Peter loves the feeling of belonging to the EC community. His life began to change when he was embraced by his first teacher and Options Program Director Mrs. Taylor, who spent an inordinate amount of one-on-one time with him. Fr. Heric patiently answered the umpteen number of questions related to God that he was so curious about and parents were too stumped to answer. Teacher Sally Fogarty kept Peter straight and made sure he had his jacket; Megan McDermott reveled in Peter’s artistic skills; riding the bus with coach Matt O’Rourke to Special Olympics tournaments and field trips were unforgettable; Julie Jessum loved the fact that Peter did all his homework by himself; Bev Cacabelos taught Peter how to bowl; Karen Skoog allowed Peter to join the EC spirit bus to the State football championship as an alumni volunteer, something he missed out on as a student; special project administrators like Barbara Schille took him under their wings to problem solve and help ease his anxieties, like helping him find his cell phone. Charlie Acosta showed Peter how to be strong and agile and Lance Gatter considered all of Peter’s strategies to reach the football State finals. Peer tutors like Harley K. and Maddie O. kept in touch with Peter long after he graduated and are inspirational role models. Peter saved and donated his pennies when he met with Presidents Bill Marsh, Jim Kubaki and John Kennedy who gave their time to him generously. Peter feels good helping to fund building projects and likes what he sees. The old adage, “It takes a village...” thrives here at EC. Now as an alumnus, EC employees like Liz Anderson, Toni Poppe, Stacey Stoutt, Dan Cejudo, Clarence the security guard, Todd Thrasher, Karen Hatch and Gil Picciotto stay in touch and keep EC traditions alive that are familiar to Peter.

What is your favorite memory when you were a student in the Options Program?

The Junior-Senior Retreat with my friends from the Options Program at Camp Houston Visitor and Retreat Center at Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar, WA, Highway 2. Peter relives and can’t help laughing as he tells his stories. Vividly he remembers playing basketball in the dark in 2009 with Sam B. ’10, Greg B. ’11, Michael S. ’11, Janie D. ’12, Alina H. ’12, Colleen M. ’11, Andrew W. ’14, Brian B. ’10, Ali H. ’13, Kate G. ’09, Molly F. ’09, Kevin G. ’09, Alex H. ’09 and Chris Y. ’07. And when Mr. O’Rourke checked on them, mayhem began, and the basketball rolled down the hill.

Peter’s second favorite memory was being voted 2010 Homecoming Prince. He remembers the student assembly gave a thunderous ovation for Prince Peter and Princess Christina as they jiggled and wiggled to the chicken dance song before getting in a convertible and waving to the crowd on Acosta Field.

Are you still involved with any classmates from EC?

PeTer: Yes, last year I saw Aubrey at the Eastside Catholic Alumni Potluck in Issaquah. I saw Jane and Allena and I forgot who else was there.

MoM: Eric Lamm ’95 is Peter’s roommate. They watch TV together, laugh out loud and eat unhealthy snacks. Recently they watched Nanny and Ghostbusters 3. Occasionally, Peter emails Tommy C. ’08 and Aubrey B. ’08. Before COVID, Peter hung out with the Special Olympic teams a lot. Now, many teams are different and he’s deciding when to get back into the action.

What do you and your family like to do?

PeTer: Fishing, crabbing, razor clamming and shrimping. We also like to cook the things we catch. Very delicious.

MoM: Peter loves to cook. He is a natural like his dad at mixing ingredients that are unique combinations but tasty. For example, for his 31st birthday they cooked ham, lamb, clam and spam, and for dessert he asked for a bowl of all 31 flavors of Baskin and Robins ice cream. Peter also caught a big ling cod, 34 sand daubs, 15 razor clams and with his family caught 314 shrimp over a few days.

Tell us about your new job.

PeTer: My job is going great. I work Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11-3 at Trader Joe’s in Redmond and I got a raise recently.

MoM: The day COVID shut stores down, Peter’s interview with Trader Joes (TJ) was canceled in 2020. After a slow opening, Peter persisted and finally got the job last year with the help of his job coach Jacksen Bates. He is thrilled to be part of the TJ crew that includes Sara ’12, another EC alum. He respects his boss “Captain Mert” and his boss appreciates Peter’s work. Peter started to work two days a week and recently after a good job review, he got a raise and increased hours!