Hall of Honor one of best parts of this job
June 9th, 2008 by WesAttended the HHSAA Foundation/Advertiser Hall of Honor banquet Sunday night, the eighth straight one I’ve had the privilege of going to.
It’s always an impressive event, and the most impressive aspect always is the 12 inductees. Every year, the group embodies the ultimate in the high school sports experience. They have achieved greatness at such a young age, athletically, individually, within the team realm. On the field, on the court, in the water.
While going through the applications to get information for the bios, it always amazes me how these student-athletes can accomplish so much. As even emcee/former Miss Hawai‘i/Miss America runner-up Kanoe Gibson and UH football coach said Sunday, these teenagers are inspiring.
Reading and listening to their achievements makes you think of what can happen if total, focused effort is put forth. Of course, having talent helps, and no question just about every inductee was born with at least some natural ability.
But you don’t get to where these kids have climbed without investing in a lot of hard work and sacrifices. And this Hall of Honor is just one of many ways in which all that hard work and sacrifice paid off.
And the best part is the bright future they have set up for themselves with the foundation they have built. It is exciting to think of what they might accomplish in college and beyond, whether it’s in sports or not.
I see these 12 inductees and their predecessors as future leaders in our community, and that gives me hope.
I couldn’t help but tell my mom about some of these kids, what they achieved and how some overcame adversity by staying focused on their goals.
“This is one of the best parts of your job,” Mom said.
I agree. One parent Sunday night said she was so impressed by the 12 honorees, but regretted not seeing many of them play.
I’m usually the lucky one who has followed many of their careers since their freshman or sophomore years. I’ve seen them do great things, but going over their applications and seeing all their achievements on paper, reading the letters of recommendation, learning what kind of classes they have been taking, what kind of community work they have done … I get to see the greatness wrapped up in the total package and then shared with the public in one heart-warming and inspiring coronation.
Like Mom said, it’s one of the best parts of the job.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Wes,
Hall of honor great, but I just thought some coverage on HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYERS DRAFTED AND SIGNED!!!!!
June 10th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
It was nice to read about the 12 inductees…Is this to honor student-athletes? It was impressive to see that these athletes did well in the classroom and on the playing field/court. I also noticed that one of the inductees did not have her GPA posted…was that an error? Just wondering…11 out of the 12 had their GPA listed…
June 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
No error, just a newsroom decision based on a desire to highlight significant achievements where applicable.
The Hall of Honor is primarily for athletic achievement, but academic achievement is another consideration and many of the honorees also happen to be outstanding students.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Ok. Sorry, but somebody has to say this. While I have no complaints over his GPA, there was a person selected for the Hall of Honor this year mainly and solely because his father is a well known coach. Tennis and volleyball??? You have to be kidding. Whether consciously or unconsciously, this person was voted in because the voters had his dad in mind though none will admit it. There were at least 3 others more deserving, but with unknown fathers.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Erik Shoji is a three-time All-State first team volleyball player, and most likely will be a four-time first-team selection (this year’s team has not yet been selected). In my seven seasons of covering prep volleyball at The Advertiser, no boy has accomplished that feat.
And, he will have done it playing three very different positions: libero, outside hitter, setter.
He was a key part of a team that went undefeated for four regular seasons in a row and won three state championships, taking second in the fourth year.
Erik also won two state gold medals and one bronze, plus three ILH titles in tennis, the last year doing it while playing volleyball in the same season.
I think those credentials stack up nicely with the other 11 inductees this year as well as those from almost any other year.
Personally, honestly, the thought or image of Dave Shoji was not a factor when we (the selection committee) discussed Erik’s application nor when we conducted the vote. I cannot speak for the other members, but I trust that they would not have voted for him if they thought he wasn’t deserving.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I deliberately did not mention the player by name, although it’s possible to glean this info from the two, albeit weak, sports he starred in. The fact that you were able to tell whom I was referring to, without me mentioning the name, I think proves my point that who his father is was a major consideration in giving the award to him.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
There was only one inductee who played tennis and volleyball, so it was obvious from the beginning who you were talking about even without mentioning the dad.
So that proves nothing.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Personally I would like to have seen a uniform player capsule. It is very clear why one person’s GPA is not listed. I also understand why the paper didn’t disclose her GPA since it is quite low. But, by recognizing the other 11 recipients’ GPA, it clearly shows that her GPA was not respectable enough to publish. That negative perception should be avoided. I understand that the other 11 players worked their tails off to get high GPA’s. But, the perception is still something that could have been avoided. I don’t know the solution since this would probably happen again. I am sure a better contingency plan could have been set in place.
June 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Actually, “quite low” is a relative term. It’s actually not that bad and is even higher than what I graduated with (not publishing that, either).
Again maybe I was giving the general readership too much credit and was hoping everybody would just focus on the positive when I made the suggestion to list the other GPAs.
I hope again that people don’t make a big deal out of it here.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
WhoCares,
I appreciate the support … but the comment overall still is too borderline for me to post.
No need to insult others.