Spaghetti Bridge Engineering, H-3 Baseball Shenanigans & Homecoming Reflections

By: Daniel McArdle-Jaimes

Like many of you, I had Miss Miyamoto as a 9^th grade science teacher. My favorite memory of Miss Miyamoto’s science class was building a bridge out of spaghetti noodles. At the age of 15, I was convinced this task was an impossible assignment. I mean how could she expect me (or anyone for that matter) to carefully engineer something like that!?

In those days (1998), we didn’t have savvy resources like Google or YouTube for answers. We had Netscape and Alta Vista to maybe help us figure these kinds of things out. And yet somehow (admittedly with lots of help from my Dad),  I (we…) were able to figure out how to build it. To this day, it is still a beautiful memory that my dad and I will always share.

Flash forward to present day. I scheduled my phone call with Miss Miyamoto at 8:30 a.m. during her free period. When she picked up the phone, I could tell she was an unsure and yet anxious to see if it was me on the other end. We chatted a bit, but it wasn’t nearly enough time to fully catch up, as I was determined to interview her faster than the always chatty, Mrs. Kurashige! To our surprise, the call went longer…Why? Well, let’s just say that Miss Miyamoto’s heartfelt reflection of her beloved class of 2001 made our eyes water, not just once but a couple of times….OK, a few times.

Hopefully I did a good job in capturing the tone of our conversation. As a reminder, she was our class advisor and a beloved homeroom teacher for those with a last name between (T to Y). Also noteworthy, Miss Miyamoto has been with Mid-Pacific for 26 years and it’s the only “real” job she’s had.

1)  Catch us up. What have you been up to over the last 15 years?

Most (2001 alumni) won’t know this, but I made the move from science to physical education (P.E.), and now I’m PE department chair. This happened about 11 years ago. When my daughter was 3 months old (she’ll talk about her daughter, Maya, later), Mr. Kissner and his wife decided to move to a neighbor island. A position opened up and Ms. Aki called me to see if I wanted to teach health. I told her that I needed to think about it. After a few minutes of reflection, I realized that it was a good move for me because of my biology background and school sports training experience. In addition, being a PE teacher meant that I got to wear shorts and a t-shirt every day!

Another substantial shift in my tenure at Mid-Pacific was becoming the assistant softball coach with Mr. Quinn in 2002. We struggled at first but had a really good run, and in the 10 years we worked together, we transformed a last place team into a state and ILH champion team twice.

What I think your classmates will find most surprising, however, is that I felt burnt out after (the 2001) graduation. I decided that I needed a little break from being a class advisor. In addition, Mrs. Kurashige and Mrs. Roscoe also stopped advising—I guess I didn’t feel the need to do it because they weren’t doing it either.

Then Mr. Wheeler called Ms. Wheeler (his sister and Chad Wheeler’s mom) because he wanted strong advisors for his daughter’s class (class of 2009). Ms. Wheeler then called me, and we were advisors together. The class of 2001 is the first class I advised, and 2009 the last…for now.

(Author’s narrative): I don’t know Maya Miyamoto, but from what Miss Miyamoto told me about Maya, she is definitely Miss Miyamoto’s pride and joy. Maya is now 10 and while not an Owl, she is very much embedded into the Mid-Pacific family and spirit. Many of the teachers and staff from our past and present are known as her aunty or uncle. In addition, Maya and Miss Miyamoto attend welcome programs, aloha programs and many sports games together. And by the way, those games are still attended by Aunty Dottie, Coach Botelho (a.k.a Coach Bo), among other Mid-Pacific staff and retirees. In fact, Coach Bo hired Miss Miyamoto’s dad to coach basketball at Mid-Pacific years ago.

2)   Why is it important to have alumni relations? What does that mean to you?

You (the class of 2001) are the history.

She grows quiet, pauses and grows unmistakably emotional. When I realize this, my eyes can’t help but water with hers, as I begin to absorb what she is explaining to me.

You helped make Mid-Pacific what it is today. The kids that are here now get the benefit of what you provided and taught me…taught us. We are better teachers now because of the experiences that we had when we taught you (and every other group of students before and since).

The reason we all stay here is because we are so grateful when you guys come back. It’s my favorite part about being a teacher. It’s fun for me to see former students. I look forward to seeing my former students each Christmas when they are home for their winter break. It’s so neat to see what you guys have become and the people you’ve turned into. That’s why we teach. We want to see you turn into good people and we feel proud to be a part of that growth. I know you all have cool jobs and are successful. I guess we wish more of you came back to share those stories with us first hand so that we can share in the joy of your successes and accomplishments.

What’s most unique about Mid-Pacific alums is that a small handful of them reinvest into the school by becoming staff to make the school even better. At the last homecoming pep rally, we acknowledged 26 alums that are current staff or faculty.

In a few years the kids that I taught earlier in my career will be returning to Mid-Pacific because their children are learning here. That’s super cool that I get to teach the kids of the kids I used to have.

Furthermore, when my daughter and I are out and about, we often run into students who I inevitably strike up a conversation with. My daughter always asks, “Was that your student?”  95% of the time it is a past student. I love seeing my students. When I see them, it triggers fond memories of good times.  In my daughter’s eyes, everyone I know is a former student who I now consider a friend. This is the greatest gift and blessing Mid-Pacific has offered me…you all.

3)  Which teacher do you most admire at Mid-Pacific and why?

Agh!! I can’t pick one!

I guess I have to go with Ms. Wheeler. She’s passionate about teaching, one of the smartest people I know, and she’s one of my best friends. We have a unique bond and have been friends for 40 years. I most admire Ms. Wheeler because she doesn’t let a friendship get in the way to help you do the right thing for the kid(s). She is really good about putting personal bias aside and she will tell you if something isn’t in the best interest of student learning. She is a great resource.  If I have a question, I know I can count on her for an answer.  She is also an extremely hard worker, and she’s my procrastination buddy. I think this is why we feel bonded together. I know that when I’m suffering at 3 a.m. grading at the end of the semester, she is pulling a late night too! 

In all fairness, there are so many wonderful teachers here. I am so fortunate to work with all of them. It seems that most of the middle school teachers have been here the longest, like Ms. Aki, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Roscoe, Mrs. Ikeda, Mr. Muramaru and Mrs. Kondo. They are my dearest friends because we share a love of working here and with Mid-Pacific students.

I can’t leave out Mrs. Kurashige who I think is so awesome because after all these years, she is at the forefront of technology use here. She’s always learning new things by reaching out to her friends all over the world via Skype—and how does she still have the same amount of energy!?!?

Oh, and before I forget…Mrs. Kurashige promised that for Chad Wheeler’s 41^st birthday (yakudoshi), she was going to jump out of Chad’s birthday cake. It’s coming up…we are all holding her to it. J

4) Which c/o 2001 student did you most admire and why?

Oh, I hate this question. I can’t pick one!

Since I’m being forced to pick one student, it would be Stacie Shimabukuro. I grew really close to Stacie and got to know her particularly well. We confided in each other. But at the same time, it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t also also mention Dezarae (Ramos) Miyahara and Kristen (Young) Unten as they were also basketball managers. We all grew close over that experience. Those were good times and I enjoyed spending time with that great group of sweet and supportive girls. But if I had to pick just one, then I choose Stacie because of her especially kind and genuine heart.

5)  If you were to name one 2001 alumni you’d like to see at the reunion, who would it be and why?

Without hesitation. Paul Griffing.

I haven’t seen him since he left. Where did he go? What is he doing? He was another one that I spent a lot of time with when he was here, but he never came back. It is as if he disappeared. I want to know what he has been doing for the past 15 years.

Actually Ms. Wheeler just mentioned him during this year’s homecoming festivities. Ever since Paul Griffing was homecoming king and wore that poufy crown, each homecoming king since has worn that crown. We all blame Paul Griffing for that.

6)  What is your favorite c/o 2001 memory?

Homeroom time brings back fond memories. I had a lot of idiots in my homeroom, and they know who they are…but I say “idiots” in the most loving way possible.  In particular, the baseball playing shenanigans that took place in the back lab area of H-3 seems to stick out. I would get so mad at those boys (Kyle Yanabu, Brian Terayama, Tyler Young and Chad Wheeler). I would yell at the to stop, but they didn’t listen. I remember thinking that their behavior a bit dangerous so I shouldn’t allow it, but they were having so much fun that it didn’t matter to them. The truth is if I really wanted it to stop, I could have stopped them, but I secretly enjoyed watching them play and so, it is a fond memory.

Aside from the naughty boys, I had a lot of good people in my homeroom too like Karalyn Tom, Liann Unebasami and Mari Yokoi, just to name a few.

7) If the c/o of 2001 would come back to campus, what do you think would most shock them to see?

How the campus has changed and grown—it’s even more beautiful now!

A student of mine graduated three years ago. He came back to the homecoming game this year. He said, “I feel like after we left the campus got nicer.”

It did! The campus has improved since he even left only three years ago. I remember being in the oldest classroom (H-3). It was a thrown together lab area. I think the 2001 alumni would be really shocked with the beautiful classrooms and facilities that our current students enjoy today.