By Shan Yonamine

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“A dream come true” are the words that newly appointed MHS Principal Fred Murphy used to describe accepting his new position. After a month-long interim period due to former Principal Dr. John Brummel’s promotion, Murphy returned to his alma mater on Nov. 26, officially filling the position of principal.

“I’m so fortunate,” explained Murphy, continuing, “I have a passion for working with the high school learner, communicating, seeing just the excitement.”

Though this is the first time Murphy has held the title of MHS principal, he is no stranger to the school. “I think he’ll bring with him a lot of knowledge about the school,” stated Fine Arts teacher Brian Hirata, who had previously worked with Murphy when he was a teacher in the music department, “I think he has a solid background of the school and what the school represents and the school’s history so I think that’s one positive aspect and I think the second thing is he’ll bring a lot of enthusiasm to the student body and I think to the faculty as well,” he continued.

Murphy added, “I’ve had three jobs in my life that are really dream jobs, the first time I came back to my alma mater was right after college. I got my first teaching job here and became the band teacher and that was my dream, I never thought I would leave that.”

In addition to being a fine arts teacher, Murphy had previously served as a vice principal.

It is this familiarity with MHS that make those who have worked with him so confident about his appointment.  “(He is a) graduate of the school, teacher, administrator, principal, another thing is that he’s a member of our community of (MHS),” stated English teacher Lisa-Ann Tsuruda who also worked with Murphy in the past. Hirata echoed this sentiment saying, “He was always very enthusiastic, energetic and he was always, creative in, he always wanted to be creative in you know trying different things. He was always that kind of person, in that he would want to do something new and try things out.”

Now that a permanent principal has been decided, faculty hopes that MHS can concentrate on improving other aspects of the school, “I think it’s a good thing that now we can get back on track and focus in on what the school has to focus in on and achieve and I’m looking forward to the next couple of years,” stated Hirata. Tsuruda echoed this sentiment saying, “It’s good to know where we’re no longer having a feeling of ambivalence like who are we going to get? Now that we’re like he’s here we’re like, ok lets roll.”

With the support of the faculty, Murphy enters his position not only with the short-term goal of a smooth transition, but long-term goals as well. “My agenda really is to systematize some practices, enhance some things to make us not just the best high school in the state but one of the best in the country. And we have that potential, we have the clientele, we have the resources, we have the size and the broad array of programs and services for students,” stated Murphy. Tsuruda agreed, saying, “(Murphy) is not just someone who’s going to sit in his office. He’s online, he goes to conferences, he presents, he’s always looking at what is happening and what’s working in other successful schools that maybe we can bring to our school and tailor it for our community and our kids to help us become the best school possible.”

Goals in mind, Murphy views his position as principal as a long-term commitment. “This is a dream come true for him. It’s a homecoming and he says basically he’s going to stay here until he dies. So he’s not someone who is just using our school as a stepping stone for a higher position,” stated Tsuruda, continuing, “He is committed, he is (in it) for the long haul.”

With this long-term commitment to the school and deep intimacy with its history, Murphy hopes to continue the legacy left behind by previous principals while accomplishing goals of his own.