Thursday, December 6, 2012
40 YEA RS
New Sponsors:
Kumukit funds MHS Great Aloha Participants
By Makanalani Yamanoha m.yamanoha@trojantimes.org In the upcoming Kaiser Permanente Great Aloha Run MHS welcomes new sponsors, Steve Godmere from Solar Electric Company, Kumukit, and the JROTC cadets who plan to participate in the competitions in next year’s race on Feb. 18. “I think the Aloha Run is a great way to get people of all different backgrounds and social classes to get up and run for a good cause,” said upcoming participant Sophomore Jesika Henson, adding, “I feel (that) it’d be great for a local company to sponsor our school. I mean, why not? A local company is even better.” Though MHS has been
Murphy continued from page 1 who had previously worked with Murphy when he was a teacher in the music department, “I think he has a solid background of the school and what the school represents and the school’s history so I think that’s one positive aspect and I think the second thing is he’ll
participating in the Great Aloha Run, the previous sponsor was unable to participate in the events this year. The new sponsor is a
“I think the Aloha Run is a great way to get people of all different backgrounds and social classes to get up and run for a good cause.” Sophomore Jesika Henson local solar power company called Kumukit. One of its co-owners, Godmere, is the parent of two MHS alumni. bring a lot of enthusiasm to the student body and I think to the faculty as well,” he continued. Murphy added, “I’ve had three jobs in my life that are really dream jobs, the first time I came back to my alma mater was right after college. I got my first teaching job here and became the band teacher and that was my dream, I never thought I would leave that.”
Shop and Score As Hawaii’s public high schools participated in this year’s Shop and Score, sponsored by Times Supermarket and Kraft foods, MHS placed second to Castle High School. As a result MHS faculty was impressed with the results, and plans to use the rewards toward the Athletic Department. “We ended up almost winning, you know, that’s a great accomplishment,” expressed Athletic Director Glenn Nitta continuing, “We were leading all the way up to last week (of the program) and then we ended up in second to Castle. Castle, from the time this program started, Castle has always, yeah, won,” he said. Also with this year’s
placement as second, Nitta plans on using the winnings of this year’s Shop and Score towards improving the Athletic Department. “(The estimated winnings are) between $15,000 to $20,000 and we have to use it for uniforms. Basically they told us we have to use it for football, either for football, basketball, softball, or baseball,” explained Nitta. Overall this year’s Shop and Score was a success and future events such as the MHS Athletics Booster Craft Fair and the Christmas tree fundraiser are hoped to raise more funds that will go toward improving MHS’ Athletic Department. Compiled by Ireland Castillo
Math teacher Sanford Kawana is the coordinator for MHS’ participation in the race. He was also in charge of contacting a new sponsor for the school as well. “I knew (Godmere) because two of his kids were in my class at some point,” Kawana said, continuing, “When (I) called to ask, Godmere was like, ‘Sure, where do you want the check?’ So that was really good of them.” Along with the new sponsors, the JROTC cadets will be running in the competitions that are held before and after the run. “They are already into this fitness stuff, and that they are pretty organized and that they feel they will do very well in the competition,” Kawana stated. In addition to being a fine arts teacher, Murphy had previously served as a vice principal. It is this familiarity with MHS that make those who have worked with him so confident about his appointment. “(He is a) graduate of the school, teacher, administrator, principal, another thing is that he’s a member of our community of (MHS),” stated English teacher Lisa-Ann Tsuruda who also worked with Murphy in the past. Hirata echoed this sentiment saying, “He was always very enthusiastic, energetic and he was always, creative in, he always wanted to be creative in you know trying different things. He was always that kind of person, in that he would want to do something new and try things out.” Now that a permanent principal has been decided, faculty hopes that MHS can concentrate on improving other aspects of the school, “I think it’s a good thing that now we can get back on track and focus in on what the school has to focus in on and achieve and I’m looking forward to the next couple of years,” stated Hirata. Tsuruda echoed this sentiment saying, “It’s good to know where we’re no longer having a feeling of ambivalence like who are we going to get? Now that we’re like he’s here we’re like, ok lets roll.”
The Great Aloha Run is scheduled for Feb. 18 of next year. However, the Saturday before and the Monday after the race, schools may participate in the high school challenge. The ranking of each school will determine the amount of money the schools will receive, helping both school and community. “(Running for the community) would be good, as it kind of works with the whole class and it runs with the service. Also when we are running we are going to be pushing ourselves to go faster,” said JROTC participant Freshman Darius Usborne. The high school challenges are to test the physical ability of students and to fundraise money for the school, but the run
“(Running for the community) would be good, as it kind of works with the whole class and it runs with the service. Also when we are running we are going to be pushing ourselves to go faster.” Freshman Darius Usborne itself is for all participants. “You can do it with your friends, your grandma, your aunty and your uncle,” said Henson. With the new plan, students of MHS are ready to participate in the challenges on Feb. 18.
April-Joy McCann | Trojan Times
With the support of the faculty, Murphy enters his position not only with the short-term goal of a smooth transition, but long-term goals as well. “My agenda really is to systematize some practices, enhance some things to make us not just the best high school in the state but one of the best in the country. And we have that potential, we have the clientele, we have the resources, we have the size and the broad array of programs and services for students,” stated Murphy. Tsuruda agreed, saying, “(Murphy) is not just someone who’s going to sit in his office. He’s online, he goes to conferences, he presents, he’s always looking at what is happening and what’s working in other successful schools that maybe we can bring to our school and tailor it for our
community and our kids to help us become the best school possible.” Goals in mind, Murphy views his position as principal as a long-term commitment. “This is a dream come true for him. It’s a homecoming and he says basically he’s going to stay here until he dies. So he’s not someone who is just using our school as a stepping stone for a higher position,” stated Tsuruda, continuing, “He is committed, he is (in it) for the long haul.” With this long-term commitment to the school and deep intimacy with its history, Murphy hopes to continue the legacy left behind by previous principals while accomplishing goals of his own.