Vern Kajikawa
My Fellow Classmates:
Our dear “old” UHS (now referred to as “University Laboratory School / ULS”) needs our help.
Our 50th Reunion was a neat experience and we wanted to share our success with ULS and decided to make a small donation, to the school, on behalf of our class. So Howard Yoshiura and I met with Keoni Jeremiah (Principal –class of ’89) and Ted Rachlin (President of the ULS Foundation – ’91) to investigate how we could best help ULS.
It became apparent that there are a number of shortcomings at ULS to include buildings in need of repairs and upgrades (e.g., paint, lighting, floors, etc.); need for technological and audio-visual improvements; and maintenance and upkeep of other facilities and the grounds. We were appalled by the general appearance of the campus. Fifty years later, the campus shows its age and lack of funding.
To me, UHS was a small, progressive, and spirited high school offering a great education. We had supervisors and practice teachers that were enthusiastic and prepared and interested in our growth and development – academically, socially, and as future citizens in the “real world”! Also, UHS had very high standards with emphasis on preparing us to continue our education and development beyond high school.
As a kid growing up in Kalihi, if I didn’t attend UHS, my education track would have been Puuhale Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate, and Farrington High School. And college? … what dat? I have nothing against this track; but I know that I’m a better person by spending six years at UHS. I’ve never forgotten my first day of school at UHS sitting between Robert DeForest and Gregg Jackson. Then I met Bobby, Naomi, Melvin (still a kid), Beverly Patrick, Linda Mae, Diane, Dayton, Jade, Robin, Ron, Sandra, Ken, Tahi, Barbara and my other 208 classmates. Some had glasses and/or braces while outside activities included ballet, music lessons, Chinese school, horseback riding, sailing, etc. - such “diversity” and a totally new experience for me. What a cultural shock!
Soon, we were working in groups making presentations or project reports, putting on skits, and planning activities with a faculty who motivated us to learn and work together while developing lifelong skills. Days at UHS were great and I actually enjoyed each day at school. More importantly, I made lasting friendships and left UHS with the confidence that I could handle future endeavors. And I’m still proud to respond that, “I graduated from University High School.”
During my recent visits to ULS, I still see hope, promise and school pride in the students. The ULS continues to be a special small school offering a balanced and progressive education with emphasis on continued education and development beyond high school. I know that I’ve rambled, but our support is necessary for ULS to continue as a quality institution. I would like you to join us in supporting the ULS Foundation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very Respectfully,
Vern
Our dear “old” UHS (now referred to as “University Laboratory School / ULS”) needs our help.
Our 50th Reunion was a neat experience and we wanted to share our success with ULS and decided to make a small donation, to the school, on behalf of our class. So Howard Yoshiura and I met with Keoni Jeremiah (Principal –class of ’89) and Ted Rachlin (President of the ULS Foundation – ’91) to investigate how we could best help ULS.
It became apparent that there are a number of shortcomings at ULS to include buildings in need of repairs and upgrades (e.g., paint, lighting, floors, etc.); need for technological and audio-visual improvements; and maintenance and upkeep of other facilities and the grounds. We were appalled by the general appearance of the campus. Fifty years later, the campus shows its age and lack of funding.
To me, UHS was a small, progressive, and spirited high school offering a great education. We had supervisors and practice teachers that were enthusiastic and prepared and interested in our growth and development – academically, socially, and as future citizens in the “real world”! Also, UHS had very high standards with emphasis on preparing us to continue our education and development beyond high school.
As a kid growing up in Kalihi, if I didn’t attend UHS, my education track would have been Puuhale Elementary, Kalakaua Intermediate, and Farrington High School. And college? … what dat? I have nothing against this track; but I know that I’m a better person by spending six years at UHS. I’ve never forgotten my first day of school at UHS sitting between Robert DeForest and Gregg Jackson. Then I met Bobby, Naomi, Melvin (still a kid), Beverly Patrick, Linda Mae, Diane, Dayton, Jade, Robin, Ron, Sandra, Ken, Tahi, Barbara and my other 208 classmates. Some had glasses and/or braces while outside activities included ballet, music lessons, Chinese school, horseback riding, sailing, etc. - such “diversity” and a totally new experience for me. What a cultural shock!
Soon, we were working in groups making presentations or project reports, putting on skits, and planning activities with a faculty who motivated us to learn and work together while developing lifelong skills. Days at UHS were great and I actually enjoyed each day at school. More importantly, I made lasting friendships and left UHS with the confidence that I could handle future endeavors. And I’m still proud to respond that, “I graduated from University High School.”
During my recent visits to ULS, I still see hope, promise and school pride in the students. The ULS continues to be a special small school offering a balanced and progressive education with emphasis on continued education and development beyond high school. I know that I’ve rambled, but our support is necessary for ULS to continue as a quality institution. I would like you to join us in supporting the ULS Foundation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very Respectfully,
Vern
Howard Yoshiura
Aloha Fellow Classmates:
To those that recently attended our 50th Class reunion in 2013, it was a really special and a wonderful event that left many vivid impressions that will be clear & sharp in my mind for years to come. For those that could not attend, I hope that we will have the opportunity to meet again in the not-too-distant future.
After that very memorable week of various events, that yielded a record turnout, I must say it was well worth the time & effort of the entire committee to create a reunion that was attractive to all attendees…regardless of distance travelled, gender, lifestyle, etc. There was a wide range of fun activities for all. It was great to see & reconnect with all of you that dedicated the time, effort, and resources to attend.
Now that we’ve all returned to our respective “lives & homes,” I hope that for those that did attend, the reunion experience was as much fun, enjoyable, and spirited for you as it was for me. For those that were not able to join us, we missed you and perhaps in the future our paths will cross.
If you did attend, and had the opportunity to visit our dear old UHS(ULS) campus, you may have noticed that it was in need of some work. Which is one of the reasons for our current Class of ’63 fund raising project over the next five(5) years.
As our reunion committee treasurer, one of my post-reunion duties, was to mail a donation check to ULS(fka UHS) for $150.00. As I reflected on the many fond memories & experiences of our high school years, and reflected on current condition of our alma mater the thought occurred that we could, and should, do better than that token donation of $150.00. After all, what could $150.00 buy today? Some postage stamps, a few books perhaps? Certainly nothing of any substance. So is that how we want to commemorate our 50th anniversary of our graduation?
In discussions with a couple friends that have graduated from other private schools, they shared information about class donations that they had made in celebration of their 50th reunion/anniversaries and their numbers were in the $100,000.00 plus range. Thus, the idea of a UHS Class of ’63 campaign to raise funds from our graduating class to the ULS Foundation was born. In meeting with Ted Rachlin(ULS Foundation President), and Keoni Jeremiah(ULS Principal) we came up with the goal of $25,000 over five years.
As many have already expressed, while each of us have had varying experiences of high school life at UHS, we all share much in common. We all have special & wonderful memories of the kaleidoscopic life we experienced back then, and many of us share lifetime friendships with classmates that we’ve remained in contact with over the 50+ years. The years at UHS elementary & high school have certainly enriched my life, and I know without exception that many of you have made me a better person today as a result of what we’ve shared back then, and up to now.
Therefore, I join many of our classmates in this “shout out” to all our fellow UHS Class of ’63 graduates, and friends and family, to please consider joining our campaign and make a pledge to support the ULS Foundation and help our Class of ’63 achieve our goal of $25,000.00 in our “Strive for Twenty-Five” campaign. Your pledge will go a long way toward keeping ULS a strong, viable & productive educational entity well into the future.
Mahalo,
Howard
To those that recently attended our 50th Class reunion in 2013, it was a really special and a wonderful event that left many vivid impressions that will be clear & sharp in my mind for years to come. For those that could not attend, I hope that we will have the opportunity to meet again in the not-too-distant future.
After that very memorable week of various events, that yielded a record turnout, I must say it was well worth the time & effort of the entire committee to create a reunion that was attractive to all attendees…regardless of distance travelled, gender, lifestyle, etc. There was a wide range of fun activities for all. It was great to see & reconnect with all of you that dedicated the time, effort, and resources to attend.
Now that we’ve all returned to our respective “lives & homes,” I hope that for those that did attend, the reunion experience was as much fun, enjoyable, and spirited for you as it was for me. For those that were not able to join us, we missed you and perhaps in the future our paths will cross.
If you did attend, and had the opportunity to visit our dear old UHS(ULS) campus, you may have noticed that it was in need of some work. Which is one of the reasons for our current Class of ’63 fund raising project over the next five(5) years.
As our reunion committee treasurer, one of my post-reunion duties, was to mail a donation check to ULS(fka UHS) for $150.00. As I reflected on the many fond memories & experiences of our high school years, and reflected on current condition of our alma mater the thought occurred that we could, and should, do better than that token donation of $150.00. After all, what could $150.00 buy today? Some postage stamps, a few books perhaps? Certainly nothing of any substance. So is that how we want to commemorate our 50th anniversary of our graduation?
In discussions with a couple friends that have graduated from other private schools, they shared information about class donations that they had made in celebration of their 50th reunion/anniversaries and their numbers were in the $100,000.00 plus range. Thus, the idea of a UHS Class of ’63 campaign to raise funds from our graduating class to the ULS Foundation was born. In meeting with Ted Rachlin(ULS Foundation President), and Keoni Jeremiah(ULS Principal) we came up with the goal of $25,000 over five years.
As many have already expressed, while each of us have had varying experiences of high school life at UHS, we all share much in common. We all have special & wonderful memories of the kaleidoscopic life we experienced back then, and many of us share lifetime friendships with classmates that we’ve remained in contact with over the 50+ years. The years at UHS elementary & high school have certainly enriched my life, and I know without exception that many of you have made me a better person today as a result of what we’ve shared back then, and up to now.
Therefore, I join many of our classmates in this “shout out” to all our fellow UHS Class of ’63 graduates, and friends and family, to please consider joining our campaign and make a pledge to support the ULS Foundation and help our Class of ’63 achieve our goal of $25,000.00 in our “Strive for Twenty-Five” campaign. Your pledge will go a long way toward keeping ULS a strong, viable & productive educational entity well into the future.
Mahalo,
Howard
Ken Chun
My wife is a product of Punahou……I was a “Lab” rat. The “Sons of Iolani” started in preschool and graduated from Iolani. It is well documented the achievements of Punahou and Iolani alumni but little is known of us “Lab” rats. My sister Lori is UHS Class of ’61 and we both started in preschool at the “Lab” schools. So I’m not only fond of the Class of ’63 but also the Classes of ’61 and ’62.
The “Lab” schools over the decades have quietly produced doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, educators, civil servants, bank vice-presidents and business leaders. But for me the most important by-product of having attended UHS is the deep and lasting friendships that were cultivated during my formative years on campus. It’s the intangible qualities that cannot be quantified in dollars spent……or dollars needed. We visited campus for our 50th reunion and yes…….the Lab school needs our monetary support. I spoke with a handful of the students that were on campus and I could hear the enthusiasm and excitement in their voices that we had while we were there. These are bright, intelligent young minds that need to be afforded the opportunity to succeed that we had 50+ years ago.
Before departing campus that day a group of students was gathered in the parking lot as I approached my car. I said “howzit…..may I ask you one question?” “Oh sure” was their response. “What is the one thing you most enjoy about being at the Lab schools?” I asked them. “The friends.” they all answered. One even said “I can count on these guys when the going gets tough.” So some things never change at UHS. The Class of ’63 may be the closest knit class to ever come out of the lab schools….but I’m biased. One day after one of our numerous golf outings with my classmates my Buff-‘N-Blue wife says to me….”You’re so lucky to be so close to your classmates.” And I muttered under my breath…. “Thank you Mom and Dad.” “Huh? What?” she said. “Thank you Mom and Dad for not sending me to Punahou” I replied.
Ken “Bongo” Chun UHS ’63
The “Lab” schools over the decades have quietly produced doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, educators, civil servants, bank vice-presidents and business leaders. But for me the most important by-product of having attended UHS is the deep and lasting friendships that were cultivated during my formative years on campus. It’s the intangible qualities that cannot be quantified in dollars spent……or dollars needed. We visited campus for our 50th reunion and yes…….the Lab school needs our monetary support. I spoke with a handful of the students that were on campus and I could hear the enthusiasm and excitement in their voices that we had while we were there. These are bright, intelligent young minds that need to be afforded the opportunity to succeed that we had 50+ years ago.
Before departing campus that day a group of students was gathered in the parking lot as I approached my car. I said “howzit…..may I ask you one question?” “Oh sure” was their response. “What is the one thing you most enjoy about being at the Lab schools?” I asked them. “The friends.” they all answered. One even said “I can count on these guys when the going gets tough.” So some things never change at UHS. The Class of ’63 may be the closest knit class to ever come out of the lab schools….but I’m biased. One day after one of our numerous golf outings with my classmates my Buff-‘N-Blue wife says to me….”You’re so lucky to be so close to your classmates.” And I muttered under my breath…. “Thank you Mom and Dad.” “Huh? What?” she said. “Thank you Mom and Dad for not sending me to Punahou” I replied.
Ken “Bongo” Chun UHS ’63
Carolyn Watanabe (Adler)
ULS is not the UHS as we knew it or will it ever be. That being said it is a struggling school trying to keep its head above water and do we want to help the school due to our nostalgic sentiments? I say "yes" for many reasons. It helped mold me into the person I have become, provided me with lifelong friendships and plenty of great memories. In addition I do happen to be one of the classmates who got two of three daughters into UHS. It continued to give them the same basic values of a sound education, lifelong friendships and a strong sense of self.
So, is USL providing their students the same values of love of learning and comradery? I suspect yes.
So, is USL providing their students the same values of love of learning and comradery? I suspect yes.
John Chong
The saying / words beneath my senior year photo in the UNIKI was “Growth is the only sign of life”.
feel safe in saying that our years at University High allowed and encouraged this growth.
While attending University High, I never fully appreciated what a wonderful school and experience I was having. I pretty much thought that all schools were like ours.
At UHS, it was never a question of whether you were going to college, it was, which college? The curriculum at UHS was set up so that if you wanted to attend UH, you would have all the requisites upon graduation.
It was a “family school”. It was Ohana before the word and concept became fashionable. At least half the class that graduated from UHS had siblings that attended University High.
Competition and camaraderie were constants at UHS. There was always some kind of contest between classes, between homerooms e.g. book drives, making leis for Memorial Day, intramurals; all these competitions helped build a closeness with those that worked together to achieve a goal or accomplish something; building a float for the Cherry Blossom Parade, decorating the classroom at nite for Christmas, collecting for UNICEF.
The memories were great and if you can wish growth and greatness for those who are or will be students at UHS, we welcome you to review and join us in supporting the efforts of the University Laboratory School Foundation in their efforts to improve the school which did so much for us.
feel safe in saying that our years at University High allowed and encouraged this growth.
While attending University High, I never fully appreciated what a wonderful school and experience I was having. I pretty much thought that all schools were like ours.
At UHS, it was never a question of whether you were going to college, it was, which college? The curriculum at UHS was set up so that if you wanted to attend UH, you would have all the requisites upon graduation.
It was a “family school”. It was Ohana before the word and concept became fashionable. At least half the class that graduated from UHS had siblings that attended University High.
Competition and camaraderie were constants at UHS. There was always some kind of contest between classes, between homerooms e.g. book drives, making leis for Memorial Day, intramurals; all these competitions helped build a closeness with those that worked together to achieve a goal or accomplish something; building a float for the Cherry Blossom Parade, decorating the classroom at nite for Christmas, collecting for UNICEF.
The memories were great and if you can wish growth and greatness for those who are or will be students at UHS, we welcome you to review and join us in supporting the efforts of the University Laboratory School Foundation in their efforts to improve the school which did so much for us.
Ricky AuHoy
UHS provided a learning environment that was ideal for a kid like me who still had a lot of growing up to do. The opportunities to learn - math, physics, history, social studies, French, etc. - were all there, along with outstanding teachers. But unlike many of the private schools of the time, we were allowed to learn and develop as individuals at a pace that ensured that everyone felt he/she was always part of the UHS ohana. It was like the "No Child Left Behind" concept applied a half-century before the social and education experts "discovered" it. I was a lot more achievement-oriented after graduating from high school but remain forever grateful that UHS provided the needed education and supporting friendships that allowed this to happen.
Supporting the ULS Foundation is one way of showing my appreciation.
Supporting the ULS Foundation is one way of showing my appreciation.
Dayton Auyong
I attended UH Lab school since first grade as did my brothers. My Mom was a school teacher and did her practice teaching there. I believe her experience at the lab school is why I and my brothers attended it. In my naïve way, I thought most schools were like the lab school. No fights; no stealing of lunch money; no hooky; all parents attended PTA meetings; parents knew each other and would tell on you if you messed up around them. Continued education after high school was never in doubt. In the grand experiment, we students were mixed racially, economically, by family background to measure the special tests and curriculum given to us…but this was beneficial as we learned a life lesson on how to get along with others different from us. While I grew up in a diverse neighborhood (Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Hawaiian, two Caucasians) there were no rich kids….I lived on the poor side of the fence of Oahu Country Club (i.e not Nuuanu). So when I met these rich kids at Lab School, they were nice, not stuck up and could actually speak Pidgeon. Speaking of Pidgeon, Lab school helped me speak proper English. I think it was first grade and my Mom received a report card that said I spoke the most Pidgeon of all the students in the class; Mom read me the riot act and in as many words as possible, said she was never so embarrassed since she was a teacher. So if you heard me working hard on speaking properly, that’s the reason; my experience at UHS was that of friends of different backgrounds, learning together, in a safe environment, valuing education and pursing it after graduation. We had teachers that cared about us and in many instances became extended parents (i.e. Misss Kunioka). We were truly blessed but did not know it at that time…and now we do. So let’s try to help others have the experience we had by supporting the UHS foundation. Mahalo. Dayton
Miles Nakashima
I support the ULS Foundation Fund Drive and the Class of ’63 “Strive for Twenty-Five” goal because UHS provided me with the opportunity to make life-long friends and gave me the foundation to make me the person I am (for good or bad) today. Although its been over 50+ years since we graduated, friendships and memories are as strong today as they were back then, despite the fact that we are geographically dispersed and involved with families of our own.
We attempted to “go back home” when we visited UHS during our 50th Reunion in November 2013. Building 2 (our 7th & 8th grade), the cafeteria & health clinic building and Building 3, were essentially unchanged since our departure. The courtyard of Building 3 that we looked down upon from the second floor as we watched fellow students change classes and where we stood on risers for the Uniki photographers, is no more. It is covered with coconut trees and other tropical plants, a tin storage shed, several wooden arches, and several concrete benches!
UHS was more than buildings and grounds to us. The diversity of our class and the feeling of togetherness we had, is still evident in today’s ULS. The students we met in November were bright, articulate, proud of their school and their achievements. It was good to see the spirit of our class still present in today’s ULS.
The Class of ’63 exemplifies the meaning of the word Óhana and the birthplace of that family is UHS. I want to help maintain the place of our birth!
We attempted to “go back home” when we visited UHS during our 50th Reunion in November 2013. Building 2 (our 7th & 8th grade), the cafeteria & health clinic building and Building 3, were essentially unchanged since our departure. The courtyard of Building 3 that we looked down upon from the second floor as we watched fellow students change classes and where we stood on risers for the Uniki photographers, is no more. It is covered with coconut trees and other tropical plants, a tin storage shed, several wooden arches, and several concrete benches!
UHS was more than buildings and grounds to us. The diversity of our class and the feeling of togetherness we had, is still evident in today’s ULS. The students we met in November were bright, articulate, proud of their school and their achievements. It was good to see the spirit of our class still present in today’s ULS.
The Class of ’63 exemplifies the meaning of the word Óhana and the birthplace of that family is UHS. I want to help maintain the place of our birth!
Sandra Aoki (Ohara)
My Mother informed me that I would be applying at UHS when I was in the 6th grade since it was a better place for me than Punahou or Stevenson/Roosevelt. I, of course, wanted to be with my friends and head for Stevenson. I thought I would be clever and "flunk" the test by closing my eyes and marking anything but when it came time to take it, I just couldn't. I realized that an interview was to follow and when asked why I wanted to go to UHS, I proudly replied that my parents were "forcing" me and I didn't want to go. I was so thrilled with my answer because since there were over 500 kids applying for 30 positions, they would surely not take someone who didn't want to go. I told my Mother what I had done and she was livid. So, when the acceptance letter came, I cried, threw tantrums and was miserable. I continued to complain every day the first two weeks of school - I hated it. But, with 5 instructors (4 student teachers and a supervisor) per classroom and a small group of 30 students, it's hard not to get involved and participate in all the activities that were planned. I eventually got into the swing of things and ended up loving it and getting a fabulous education that has carried me to this day (as well as lifelong friendships). I guess the moral of the story is that your parents know what's best for you!