Hilo High School

Hilo High School is a public, co-educational high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and serves grades nine through twelve. Established in 1906, its first class graduated in 1909. Hilo High School is near the Wailuku River in Hawaii County on the Big Island of Hawaii. The campus boasts the black marble terrazzo and gray gravel sculpture "Matrix" by Ken Shutt. The school is situated at 556 Waianuenue Avenue on across the street from Hilo Intermediate School, one of its two feeder schools, the other being Kalanianaole Intermediate School. Hilo's symbol and mascot is the Viking and its school colors are blue and gold. Hilo High School celebrated its centennial during Homecoming of 2006.

History

Hilo High School was started by the school authorities in September 1905. The idea for a high school is attributed to Josephine Deyo, principal of Hilo Union School. The weak public interest eventually grew stronger as the public realized the benefits from a high school on the Big Island.The school changed location in 1907 to the District Annex location and was then named Hilo Junior High School, and moved yet again in 1922 to its present location on Waianuenue Avenue. Hilo High School's rival is Waiakea High School. Hilo High School's sports are usually neck to neck with Waiakea High School's.

Timeline of the 556 Waianuenue Ave. Campus

*1922- First Building- Makai Building
*1926- Miss Margaret Way's music class created the Hilo High Alma mater
*1927- Auditorium Building donated by the Alumni Association.
*1931 and 1934-Cafeteria built (the old F building)
*1935- First stage of the Mauka Building built
*1936- Second stage of the Mauka Building built
*1939- Third stage of the Mauka Building built
*1937- Gym and wood shop built
*1961- Administration Building Built
*1962- Swimming Pool donated by Mrs. John M Ross and Mrs. Isabel Kennedy
*1963- The Library and Multi Purpose Room was built
*1968- The Cafeteria was built
*1970- R-Building
*1977- Mauka Building burns down
*1979- 100-car parking lot finally built
*1980- C Building built

Hilo High School Foundation

The Hilo High School Foundation was formed in 1990, with the purpose of creating and maintaining an endowment fund that would fund educational programs and activities at Hilo High School that would not or could not be funded from State of Hawaii funds. It annually provides the school with the interest earnings for distribution to programs. A committee designated by the Principal solicits and reviews proposals from faculty for new and innovative programs that benefit the educational experience of Hilo High School students.

To date, the Foundation has distributed a total of over $130,000 to Hilo High School. Its 2005 Financial Report place its assets at $724,063.44. [ [http://www.hilohighfoundation.org/documents/HiloHighFdn032006.PDF Hilo High School Foundation Fiscal Report] ]

Class Mascot and Colors

*Class of 2012: To be decided.
*Class of 2011: Phoenix, Black and Green
*Class of 2010: Panther, Black and Gold
*Class of 2009: Shark, Black and Red

Alma Mater

Miss Margaret Way's music class created the Hilo High Alma mater in 1926. :Beneath the tropic Skies of Hilo:Stands dear old Hilo High School:Dearer ever shall it grow:With the spirit of Blue and Gold:In our hearts we hold thee:Alma Mater mine:Loyalty and Honor:Shall Forever be thine!

Commencement

Hilo High School's commencement exercises are normally held during the first week of June. Dane Nelson, former Academic Decathlon coach, supervised commencement exercises for nearly a decade until 2004.

Hilo High school has several commencement traditions that stretch back to the school's first graduation in 1909. The graduating class recites verses from Gaudeamus Igitur in Latin, and members of the Hilo High School Alumni Association pass out a lei to every graduate. This latter tradition is attributed to the patriarch of the Tong family, who was among the school's first graduates and supposedly gave a lei to a fellow graduate who was without one during their commencement ceremony. The Tong family also awarded the school's Salutatorian award and trophy with a cash prize until 2003, when the Salutatorian returned the cash prize out of respect for the family's disagreement with the school's current practice of awarding the Valedictorian distinction to more than one student. The Valedictorian trophy is maintained by the Hilo High School Foundation.

Clubs

Hilo High supports an array of clubs that promotes and supports the talents, knowledge, ambitions and abilities of the students. The clubs also train and prepare students for future professional careers, and allows the school and students to give back to the community through community service events.
*Key Club
*Math League
*National Honor Society
*Model United Nations
*DECA
*Mock Trial
*SkillsUSA
* [http://www.hilohighrobotics.com/ Robotics]

Notable graduates

* Kristina Anapau, Actress and model
* Keiko Bonk, Highest elected Green Party Member
* Wesley Correira, UFC Fighter
* James Kealoha (1926) first Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
* Harry Kim, Mayor, Hawaii County
* Robert Kiyosaki, Businessman and author of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad Books
* B.J. Penn, UFC and K-1 fighter
* Pat Saiki, United States Congresswoman
* Lois-Ann Yamanaka (1979), Poet and novelist
* Malika Dudley (2000), Miss Hawaii 2005, Weather Anchor KGMB9 News Fact|date=July 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.hilohs.k12.hi.us/ Hilo High School Official Website]
* [http://www.hilohs.k12.hi.us/moodle/ Hilo High School Official Moodle]
* [http://www.homegrownhawaii.com/schools/alumni/Hilo_High_School.aspx/ Hilo High School Alumni]
* [http://www.hilohighfoundation.org/ Hilo High School Foundation]
* [http://www.hilohighrobotics.com/ Hilo High Robotics Official Website]