“You Miss 100% Of The Shots You Don’t Take.” – Stated Mr. Wheeler’s Poster

By: Daniel McArdle-Jaimes

Does anyone else remember this poster Mr. Wheeler prominently displayed in his office? I don’t recall ever speaking to him about it, but I recall seeing it each and every time I stepped into his office to talk about student government-related activities. It is an inspirational quote that still sticks with me today, and part of the sum of many Mid-Pacific-inspired ingredients that I believe influenced the bravery and boldness I uphold today in facing impossible situations and putting myself out there, no matter the cost.    

In case you forgot, Mr. Wheeler served as the Class of 2001 dean until the 9^th grade. To some, he was more than just someone you saw when you were in trouble. Mr. Wheeler was someone that many of us confided in. And to others, he was an inspirational coach who drew out our inner champion outside of the classroom. And to me, he was not only a sounding board, but he definitely reeled me in when I went too far off the deep end. And I needed all of those things, especially as an overly ambitious teenager. Mr. Wheeler knew how to nicely but directly reel me in—a skill that even my own parents struggled with!

In high school, I was considered as one of the talkative and “out-going” types. Believe it or not, I actually never viewed myself this way (and still don’t see myself this way). I was a doodler in class and my mind wandered a lot. I would actually consider myself to be more shy, conservative and introverted. But we can all thank Mid-Pacific, especially theatre and student government, to help draw out my leadership, communication and presentation skills. And Mr. Wheeler was instrumental in this process as he was one of the first supervisor-like figures for me –as he instilled real accountability and responsibility in my senior year (going beyond turning in lengthy persuasive essays on time and earning a high grade on a test). And one other thing Mr. Wheeler helped me with was define what public service and school spirit meant to me.

It were these values and character traits that were learned in my teenage years (“formative” according to Mr. Wheeler) years that helped inspire my professional path today in working with the community as a strategic communication and public engagement consultant for various governmental agencies, non-profits, businesses and schools. It is perhaps one of the reasons that helped me accept the duties of becoming the Class of 2001 alumni representative.

And, only a couple of weeks ago (after a 15 year hiatus), I was reminded about his magical inspirational, reflection and empowerment skills on our phone call that I needed in order to draft his blog. Hopefully, I am able to capture his wise counselor-like persona!

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

I think the last time you and your classmates saw me, I was just getting started in shaping the Student Government Association (SGA) program at Mid-Pacific. I am a firm believer in Mid-Pacific, our school’s spirit and school’s legacy. It is for these reasons that my sister (Mrs. Wheeler) and I decided to came back to our roots (where our dad taught math, and where we fondly refer to it as “the farm”). In more recent years, I decided to take on the SGA opportunity to define and grow the program’s concept, design, reach and impact.

I think many of your classmates would be surprised to see how expansive SGA has become. In fact, SGA has become so large that I needed help, and we recruited Mrs. Kondo to help empower and support our middle school student government leaders and programming initiatives.

One of the largest SGA programs that we started (in 2002) is the annual all-school Ho’olaule’a event. Each spring, the Ho’olaule’a works to showcase all of our school clubs, programs and activities. It includes music, food and entertainment for students, parents and staff to enjoy while building school spirit. It’s an event that everyone looks forward to each year.

When I’m not working on SGA-related programming, my afternoons and weekends are focused on serving as the assistant coach for Pac-5 football. I particularly enjoy coaching sports. It allows me to see Mid-Pacific students in an environment outside of the classroom and in a more relaxed atmosphere.  

2) You were also the basketball coach at one point in time. Were there any fond memories associated with that, particularly of any Class of 2001 alumni?

There were absolutely fond memories associated with coaching basketball. During your (the Class of 2001’s) senior year, was when the varsity team transitioned from the Division II to Division I. That was the year when we competed with the bigger schools. While we were a solid and competitive team when we played in Division II, we learned a lot and grew a lot when our senior guys (Chad Wheeler, Kyle Yanabu, Brian Terayama, James Ogiwara, Clint Copulos, Tyler Young, Ricky Bauer) not only became the veteran players, but also had to rise up to a higher level of basketball. 

There were also fond memories formed with my longtime basketball managers—Dezarae (Ramos) Miyahara, Stacie Shimabukuro, Kristen (Young) Unten—as they were so helpful in supporting the team. I recall the conversations we had following the games, which were uplifting and fond because I got to know the girls in a different light.  

3) The Class of 2001 was “officially” the last class to be under your guidance. Were there any fond memories or stand-out characteristics that defined the Class of 2001?

I think the first memory that comes to mind was when you were in the 7^th grade. I was your dean at the time, and I remembered that the photographer came around to take the class picture. I remember trying to work with the homeroom teachers to try to gather you all together for a picture. I don’t know if it was your teenage hormones, excitement or because you were all too unfamiliar with each other, but that experience was worse than herding cats. I just remember thinking to myself “What did I get myself into?” because it was really my first opportunity seeing all of you together in one space.

When we finally were able to gather all of you together was I realized that we had a lot of different personalities in this (small) class, which was unique. Some classes are particularly memorable, and the Class of 2001 was one of those classes because of the energy, diversity and quirkiness that came with it. 

4) Why do you think it’s important to have strong alumni relations?[DJ1] 

In Hawaii, probably more than anywhere else in the country (or the world, for that matter), where a person went to high school helps to define who that person is.  While there are certainly many more significant factors that go into defining a person, our high school experiences occur during such a formative stage in our lives that we cannot ignore the impact of those experiences in contributing to who we are today.

Having strong alumni relations allows us to maintain those relationships that were formed and sustained through those formative years of our lives.  We all move on with our lives after high school, but it's important to maintain the foundation upon which those lives were built.  Every school has a uniqueness to it - and one might argue that Mid-Pacific is more unique than others - and being able to share common memories and experiences with our fellow alums is what builds a strong alumni base.

The strength and image of our school today is, in large part, formed by all the alums out there doing their thing.  A successful alum brings honor to our school.

5) In looking at the current roster of teachers, there are so many alumni from various classes. Why do you think they come back? Why did you come back?

Don’t quote on me this (because I don’t think we have an official number yet) but I think we have 24 or 25 alumni that currently work at Mid-Pacific. I think that so many alumni come back to Mid-Pacific because the school has given so much to them in a variety of ways that are unique to each of them. But this year’s roster showcases the most alumni working at Mid-Pacific, and that is truly a huge testament to the school and its legacy.

6)  If the Class of 2001 were to come and tour the campus, what would be the most surprising thing to them?

The buildings. The campus has changed a lot, and it has grown a lot with the addition of the elementary school and the renovation efforts to a number of efforts, including the Quads and the former dormitory.

7) Which Mid-Pacific teacher do you most admire?

All of the “old-timers” as these have been the people that I have naturally become close to, as we’ve been working together the longest. They know who they are, and these are the individuals who I confide with professionally and personally.

8)  Which Class of 2001 Mid-Pacific alumni have you seen recently?

I got to see a lot of alumni at this summer’s Pa’ina Event, so those that come to mind first include Karalyn Tom, Kimberly Hee Aina, Rosella Leonhardt-Wicker, Bryan Sato, Keric Chang, Chad Wheeler, Dane Marcouiller. It was really nice to see all of them as a whole together. I am proud of them for becoming successful adults in their own professions, and some of them are now married or have children. 

9)  If you were to name one classmate who you’d like to see at the reunion (on Friday, Dec. 23), who would it be and why?[DJ2] 

Anyone and everyone. But if I were to pick a few, I would love to see my old basketball players, basketball managers and some of the people who used to come into my office just to talk story like Mariko (Daniels) Wakuya, Kristen Tamashiro or Mari Yokoi.