Bill Maynard, with Kathy Eng Yee ’75 (left) and Bev Akada ’76, Senior Class Presidents, at the CHS 1975 50th reunion, September 2025. (photo, Bev Akada)
by David Yamaguchi, Class of 1975
Bill Maynard, Cleveland High School principal, 1971-1976, delivered the keynote speech at the CHS 50th reunion on September 6, 2025. The reproduction of his speech here is of value to alumni for the historical context it places on our high school experiences. For example, when the 1975 class arrived on campus, the Cleveland “We’ve Got Pride” campaign was already in full swing (1). Yet, as incoming sophomores, we had no idea how it had come to be.
The widely liked and remembered Maynard opened and closed his talk, reconstructed below from his speaking notes, by referring to his CHS letterman jacket that he was gifting to the Class of ’75 reunion silent auction (2).
“This jacket has meant a great deal to me for the last 50 years. (I am) donating it with the hope that it will have a great meaning to someone else as well.
“CHS was truly the most heart-touching and life-changing experience of my entire professional career. And (it had) a huge effect on my personal life as well. (I) came in with the class of 1971-72, (when I) was only 33 years old. I could not understand how I got here. After (teaching at) Washington Junior High, I received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration, after which I worked at John Marshall Junior High as Vice Principal for two years. (Next, I moved to) Lincoln High School as VP, my first high school experience, for two years. (3)
“I was called into the superintendent’s office. I heard him say I was going to CHS and then I blanked out. I was angry.
“Why are you sending me to CHS as VP,” (I asked).
He said, “Bill, you’re not listening to me.” (He was sending me as the new principal.)
“I moved into my office that summer and started looking at the data. The ethnic enrollment was 70%. The majority were Asian and Black students. (It was) the most multi-ethnic high school in the city and state. Of the faculty, only five were people of color. It had the highest dropout rate (and) absentee rate. Football was at three wins in seven years. Basketball, a little better.
“It had the highest number of police visits.” (At this point, Maynard told a story of how the police would just come through the school, without asking. One day, when the police were chasing one student, others went out and turned the police car on its side.)
“There was very little camaraderie between student ethnic groups, and very little among faculty. Many faculty were very upset about me being appointed principal.
“Our huge turning point really took hold with the class of ’74. Warren Higa was student body president, and a great leader. The football team made the playoffs. The basketball team placed third in the state. There were many new faculty, including Chris Kato (Vice Principal; note 4) and Aamon McWashington (Assistant Vice Principal; CHS’s first Black administrator). We had gone from five to 21 in faculty diversity.
“A student group painted the hall with the theme, ‘Getting it Together at Cleveland.’ And the faculty was working together with the intent of helping our students.
“And then there was the Class of ’75, which took everything to a whole new level. We ended that year with the lowest dropout rate in the city, the lowest absentee rate, the fewest fights per year (we had been at the top of that category.) We had the Hall of Eagles paintings, by students, throughout the ground floor. Our theme was, ‘We’ve Got Pride,’ and it was painted in the hall.
“’Getting it together at Cleveland’ was actually happening. Even the police department befriended us. And our basketball team won the state AA tournament (54).
“The relationships have been so powerful and so meaningful, that they have touched my life forever. CHS was truly one of the best high schools in the state, and more. And the number one reason was because of the students coming together. And that was being facilitated and supported by our faculty.
“This is why the jacket has been so important to me. It is a beautiful symbol of what we all did together.
“CHS forever.
“Thank you.”
Notes.
(1) For additional context, see “Reviving School Spirit: the 1972-73 Eagle Design Contest” (Paul Magnussen ’73, clevelandalumsea.org, Aug. 2024).
(2) See “Class of 1975 Celebrates 50th Reunion with Festivities and Donations,” clevelandalumsea.org, Sep. 2025).
(3) Earlier parts of Maynard’s background are that he grew up in rural Aberdeen, Washington, and attended Grays Harbor College there, before continuing his education at the UW, Seattle.
(4) Kato probably greatly aided Maynard in setting CHS on track. Kato took no guff from any student. A judo black belt with the build of a linebacker, Kato kept in shape by teaching judo at night, where his students included Higa.
(5) CHS would go on to win the AAA state title in 1976. See “Carl Ervin and a Point Guard’s Vision,” Glenn Nelson ’75, June 2011, gnbuzz.com.
