You may have seen her friendly face in the office or caught her talking story with students out on the grounds. Mrs. Blanco, formerly Vice Principal of Honoka’a Intermediate and High School has stepped up to the position of principal this semester.  She  looks forward to leading our school in a new and exciting direction. Meet her here!

DP: How did it feel when you became principal? Did you think that it would be very hard? Why or Why not?

PB: So becoming principal I knew that it would be a really big challenge and a really big step especially at a high school because there is so many different activities, so many different programs and so many different needs at the high school level and… to be honest I was a little bit scared but only because I want to do a great job and I want to do great for my students, my teachers, my staff, and the parents and in that way I’m almost a perfectionist so me being a perfectionist scares me because I want to just be really good at what I’m doing. 

DP: That’s good.  Do you have any regrets?

PB: For taking this job?

DP: Mhm!

PB: Absolutely not! I love serving the community of Honokaa, Waimea, and the entire Hamakua. I love the people that I get to work with, the students that I get to serve and that I get to support and I do not have any regrets of taking this job. I learn something brand new every single day and I meet amazing people throughout all of the things that I’m doing everyday so no.

DP: Okay! Ahem Are you having fun being the principal?

PB: Everyday is a fun day and there is an opportunity for fun so yes I am. I like being involved and seeing students grow and progress and I really like to support the teachers to make sure that it’s fun and see students are learning and they are safe and they like coming to school.

DP: Well I like going to school so that’s great! Are there any goals that you’ve had and any quotes that you resonate with?

PB: My goal is that students are learning every single day and that they are having… that at the end of the school year they can say that they do have a person that cares for them.  Quotes I think hmmm… that’s a little bit difficult you know like every single day there’s a different quote that kind of resonates with me depending what kind of motivation I need but I always like saying to myself that “Today is a new day and an opportunity to continue to grow.”

DP:  That’s good. That’s very good. What are the most important things you’ve learned as the principal.

PB: That I cannot change everything and having a great team is probably the most important aspect of being a leader. Being able to designate and trust my team.

DP: That’s good.  One more question.

PB: Sure!

DP:  Where do you see yourself in five years?

PB: Five years . . . I would like to still be here as the principal or the vice principal. I want to continue to learn about the academies and how to make our students more career ready and just give them the tools that they need.

DP: Wow, I do wish you would stay as the principal in five years. Well that’s all of the questions that I have.  Thank you for taking your time to do this interview with me.

Mahalo Principal Blanco. We wish you all the best as head of our school.