This school year, Konawaena High School gained a new vice principal, Ms. Denise Lacro. She joined our school in July 2025 after completing cross-training at Konawaena in January. 

The additional administrator is welcome because, according to vice principal Timm Henry, when Konawaena High School is short staffed, the responsibilities of three vice principals fall onto two or even one. 

Ms. Lacro was born and raised in Ka’u on the Big Island, graduated from Lahainaluna High School on Maui and attended college in the continental United States. In her free time, she enjoys the beach and spending time with her kids. She has extensive experience in the realm of education, ranging from teaching to a curriculum coordinator and even other vice principal positions. 

Ms. Lacro reminds students to, “Go to class… enjoy high school!” One of her goals is to keep as many students on campus and in classes as possible. “I want to figure out ways to keep our kids on campus versus having them go to these different avenues," said Ms. Lacro. “If students are able to build a connection with somebody on campus, their willingness to stay in school is greater.” Another way to improve attendance is “making our classrooms engaging so that they (the students) aren't skipping,” she added.

The vice principals at Konawaena have two main jobs: student safety and supporting the students and faculty to benefit student education. When our administration is fully staffed, it leaves more time and resources to support students in need. Mr. Henry said the less time we spend on rule breaking and consequences, “The more time I get to spend, Ms. Lacro gets to spend, supporting everyone else on their mission of getting across the finish line and graduation.”

The question may appear, “Is having a full team of vice principals helping the school so far?” The answer is yes, Mr. Henry said, “we’ve had fewer behavior problems -- not zero, but fewer. There's two big reasons for that. We have three vice principals, so Ms. Lacro being here helps out a lot, and kids not being in the halls.” 

Mr. Henry said students can help the school in many years.  “Be a model student, most of the time, which is different than being perfect,” he said. If students try their best and make an effort to be model students, as Mr. Henry put it, then not only are they helping administrators have more time to support the student body, they are also benefiting themselves and their learning. 

Noah Langford, Konawaena student government president, said, “Most people in admin are willing to help, it's just they are not sure what to do.” In order to receive support from administration, students need to express their needs, wants and concerns. Don’t be afraid to reach out, because they have so many great resources here on campus, Langford said.

Not only did Ms. Lacro take the responsibility of filling the understaffed vice principal team, she also brought special qualities and goals to the school. 

“She is confident, she knows a lot, she's very knowledgeable, and she is very good at meeting students where they are,” said Mr. Henry. “She's really good at getting to know students and communicating with them in ways that are in alignment with how they need to be talked to. That's difficult to do.”

 “Our high school students need administrators that are like them,” said Ms. Lacro. “Every one is very passionate about what they're doing and we all want what's best for our students.”

The vice principals at Konawaena remind everyone to try their best, take it all in, and go to class.