Hilo High School

Hilo High School

"Once a Viking...Always a Viking"
Address
556 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
USA
Information
Type Public, Co-educational
Established 1906
School district Hawaii District
Principal Mr. Robert Dircks
Faculty 78 (approx.)
Grades 9-12
Number of students 1,234 (approx.)
Campus Suburban
Color(s) Blue and Gold          
Athletics Big Island Interscholastic Federation
Mascot Vikings
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Newspaper The Viking
Yearbook Blue and Gold
Military United States Army JROTC
Website http://www.hilohs.k12.hi.us/

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 in the middle of its two patios in its courtyard. 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. Hilo High School's crosstown rivals are the Warriors of Waiakea High School.

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 in Hilo, Hawaii. At the time, the only High Schools on the island were Kau High and Pahala Elementary School and Honokaa High & Intermediate School, both over 30 miles away in rural sugar communities that were disconnected from most of the island and were only accessible by railroad. Most students who wished to attend high school went to boarding school in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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 Waiākea High School's.

Timeline of the 556 Waianuenue Ave. Campus

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.[1]

Class Mascot and Colors

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.

Hilo High school has several commencement traditions that stretch back to the school's first graduation in 1909. The graduating class recites a variation of Gaudeamus Igitur with lyrics directly referencing Hilo High, 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.

Now, with the introduction of AP classes to Hilo High, it is possible for more than one student to become a valedictorian within the same graduating class since AP classes allow the student to get over a 4.0. The current requirements for becoming a valedictorian include getting the distinguished BOE diploma as well as getting a weighted GPA of at least 4.0.

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.

Notable graduates

References

  1. ↑ Hilo High School Foundation Fiscal Report
  2. ↑ "RECIPIENTS OF THE 2015 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZES IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS AND LIFE SCIENCES ANNOUNCED". Breakthrough Prize. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Candidate Q&A — Senate District 4: Lorraine Inouye". Civil Beat. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.hilohs.k12.hi.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=16%3Aarticle-pages&id=204%3Aprincipals-message&Itemid=48
  5. ↑ "BJ Penn Hall of Fame Member".
  6. ↑ Official KGMB Biography

Coordinates: 19°43′16″N 155°05′46″W / 19.72102°N 155.09608°W / 19.72102; -155.09608

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