THE PINION Vol. 89, No. 1
McKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
September 17, 2010
New coach leads tigers into homecoming
McKinley’s football players practice every day after school. Here Coach Cho watches the team practice for Saturday’s game. Photo by Christian De Guzman (11)
By Stacia Mahi
McKinley High School’s new head football coach didn’t hesitate when asked if our team could be winners. “Without a doubt,” said Joseph Ka’ai Cho. Born in Honolulu, Cho graduated from McKinley High School in 1972. While in high school, Cho became a three-time all-star for the old ILH and OIA. Then, he moved to Salem, Oregon, to attend Willamette University and play college football. In his senior year, he made little All-American as a linebacker. With college done, he began coaching. He coached softball, track, basketball, and football. Cho also played racquetball professionally for 5 years. After more than 35 years away from Hawaii, Cho returns to his high-school alma mater, to coach our football team. In any team, the relationship between a coach and a player is essential. “Its important to make sure that they know that I believe in them,” Cho said. He doesn’t
just want to be a football coach, delivering instructions and having no relationship with the players. Cho identifies trust and respect as the base off which he plans to build his relationship with the team. To help the players get more acquainted with each other, he wants them to remember that while playing as a team, they should bond as an ohana. “To teach them how to have pride in themselves, their school, as well as their community,” Cho said when asked what he wants to accomplish with the athletes. However, as Homecoming approaches,
many wonder if Cho can bring us a victory against Nanakuli. Cho is confident we can win. Through a combination of strategy, discipline, and hard work, Cho wants to take the team to the state playoffs, which requires at least five wins. The two winners from the playoffs advance to the championship, where they play to be named one of the better football teams in Hawaii. Two specific strategies Cho hopes will get MHS to the playoffs are dramatically changing the defense to a “just attack” method and getting the ball to our skilled players for the offense. Tristan Ramones (11), defensive back, said he likes Cho. “He’s a real down-toearth guy. He’s cool with everyone but can be serious at some points. It’s not because he wants to, but because he has to.” A single sentence by Lefty Levitcus (10), wide receiver and defensive back, explained what sets Cho apart. “He has more passion for the game.” Last year’s team had two wins and five losses. Cho said the team still needs a lot of work, both offensively and defensively. However, Cho works with dedicated assistant coaches, most of whom are alumni, and believes that, with their help, the task won’t be that hard. “You know, they are very local. You can tell that they care very much about the school and especially the kids.”
A Message from Principal Ron Okamura Aloha McKinley Tigers! Our brand new school year has opened up with much excitement in the air! We have a few new faces on our faculty and a whole new Freshmen class to welcome to our Tiger Ohana. I am excited to what this year will bring and to the many successes that we will all have! But, we also have to remember that with the success, comes a lot of hard work on everyone’s part and that sometimes we will all have to overcome some major barriers to reach our goals! I wish all of you much success and endurance to make this year the very best ever! 9/10, RS 11-0222
Store promotes spirit 2 THE PINION September 17, 2010
By Peiru Lu
The Tiger Locker is now open for students to buy school spirit items and other useful accessories. The store is the brainchild of this year’s student body government and April Nakamura, Student Activities Coordinator. The store is located in the Student Activities room (A001). In the store, t-shirts hang on the wall. Bags, tiger dolls, spirit items and apparel are displayed on cube-type shelves. Inside a case are bookmarks, rulers, pins, license plate holders, lanyards, and letter openers. Items ranges in price from $0.10 for a ruler or ID clip to $21.00 for a Tiger polo t-shirt. Cindy Le (12), who works in the store, said the most popular items are the agenda rulers, ID covers, and lanyards. “The purpose of this Tiger Locker is to build school spirit,” said Nakamura. Students can purchase items during lunch recess on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The store will open daily the week of Homecoming. As an incentive for students to visit the store, for every five dollars you spend, your name will be entered for a monthly drawing. Prizes will be items from the store. Congratulations to Alex Kim (12) who won a backpack in August’s drawing. Polo T-Shirts Caps Umbrella Black/White Mug Stuffed Tiger Doll McKinley Backpacks License Plate Frames Gary Mug With Cover McKinley Pennants Paw Backpack Stadium Seat Cushions Lanyard
$21.00 $15.00 $15.00 $7.00 $7.00 $7.00 $7.00 $7.00 $6.00 $6.00 $5.00 $3.00
Paw Pins Paper Stands McKinley Pens Bookmarks Pom-Poms Binders License Plate Frames Homecoming Tattoos Halloween Stickers ID Covers Agenda Ruler ID Clips
$3.00 $2.00 $1.00 $2.00 $1.00 $0.50 $0.75 $0.25 $0.25 $0.25 $0.10 $0.10
Councils show true dedication By Amanda Muramoto
What do you get when you gather a bunch of hardworking tigers all eager to make a difference? Grade Level Councils! According to Student Activities Coordinator April Nakamura, council members are “responsible, motivated, and able to work well with others.” With the possession of these traits, the council members are sure to make many enjoyable activities for McKinley. This year, the councils introduced class level points, where students can show tiger pride at events and earn points for their respective class levels. Also, the Penny Wars is something new they will introduce later this year. In order to make these activities work, the council members recently took the long ride to Camp Erdman to build teamwork and leadership skills. During the three-day stay, they were able to revisit their goals from last year and brainstorm new ideas that could make a difference
this year. Nakamura said, “They learned what kind of leaders they are and what kind of leaders were in their group.” Even though the stay was short, their bonds grew stronger. Executive President Stacie Tamaru (12) felt that going to camp had a positive impact. “We left in councils and returned like a family.” Tamaru said council work continues outside of school. Being on a council is “time consuming but fun,” she said.
Volunteers needed for yearly clean-up
Volunteers are needed for McKinley High School’s Yearly Clean-Up Project on Oct. 2 from 8-11:00 a.m.. Storm water runoff may be our most severe environmental problem on Oahu. The City and County of Honolulu established the Clean Water Program to eliminate this problem. McKinley is mandated to clean and maintain all storm drains that are located on campus. Current students of McKinley and surrounding community members are requested to volunteer, by participating in this year’s clean-up efforts around the school, on Oct. 2 from 8-11:00 a.m.. Volunteers will stencil drains, clean drains and paint curbs. Volunteers are requested to wear a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, long pants, long sleeve shirt, closed toe shoes, Nitrile (rubber) gloves, and heavy/cloth gloves as needed. Got something to say? Email The Pinion at: mhspinion@gmail.com
Pa‘ina tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale for McKinley High School’s 1st Annual Pa‘ina. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, from 5-8:00 p.m. at McKinley. A Hawaiian dinner will be served from 5-8:00 p.m.. Entertainment will be provided by the Class of 2011. The cost is $20 for adults. The keiki menu is different and costs $10 for keiki under ten years old. The event’s purpose is to create an environment that promotes unity through the involvement of administration, community, parents, teachers and staff for the benefit of current and future students at McKinley High School. Seating is limited. Contact Tonie Entilla at 382-2199 to order tickets. Make checks payable to McKinley High School.
Pinion Staff
Adviser: Cynthia Reves, Editor: Oliver Lam Reporters: Stacia Mahi, Peiru Lu,
Council members work hard every day. Executive President Stacie Tamaru prepares for a meeting.
Amanda Muramoto
Publication Information
THE PINION is published by the Newswriting Staff and printed by the Reprographics Learning Center. The Pinion McKinley High School 1039 South King Street Honolulu 96814