Federal Way Public Schools Graduates of Note

Tim Hickle

Attorney,
Former 30th District State Representative

Federal Way High School
Graduate, Class of 1978

Tim Hickel, who is now a partner in the law firm of Payne & Hickel in Federal Way, graduated from Federal Way High School in 1978. While attending Federal Way Public Schools, his teachers and coaches gave him the confidence and push he needed to eventually be elected State Representative for the 30th district from 1994 to 1998, become a partner in his own law firm, sit on the Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of Federal Way, serve as president of the Multi-Service Center Board of Directors and be voted Best Attorney in Federal Way twice. Hickel is married to Teri Hickel, Executive Director of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Advancing Leadership Program, schools volunteer, and community advocate.

Please tell us a little about your family.
My two daughters, Morgan who is 17 and Mackenzie who is 15, are currently attending Todd Beamer High School. It’s interesting having your children go through the same school system that I did 30 years ago and seeing them working through the same issues I did. When I went to Lakota Junior High (now Lakota Middle School), I was voted scholar athlete of the year. Now, 31 years later, my daughter, Mackenzie, received that same award at Illahee Middle School. I participated in track as a hurdler and now both my daughters run hurdles. When life makes a full circle like that, I find it interesting.

Please describe an experience, event or individual in your public education experience that inspired or motivated you.
I would have to say athletics in both middle school and high school inspired and motivated me. During those years, I had many wonderful teachers and coaches who provided me with focus and instilled in me a “you can achieve anything you want” attitude. Bill Harris, my track coach and Trigonometry teacher at Federal Way High School, was a great mentor, as was Doug Patrick, Merlin Epp and Duane Hammil. They all taught me to push myself to be the best. In the middle of track season during my senior year, I remember Bill Harris telling me that I was good enough to go to state, but to do that I would have to step it up. Nobody had ever told me I was good enough to go to state until he sat me down and we had our talk. That gave me the confidence I needed and with his help, I made it.

Academically, I had a lot of wonderful teachers who made school a great experience and who pushed me to succeed, but also made the subjects fun.

What advice would you like to share with students in schools today?
I recommend that students be personally accountable. Ultimately it is their responsibility to get the most they can out of school. They should find something they love and are passionate about and reach for that thing. Finding a mentor in the area they choose should be their first step. If a student loves art, I bet there is an art teacher who will share their passion and guide them along. When faced with classes or requirements that they aren’t that keen about, students should still do their best, which will ultimately help them as they go through life and discover that every job comes with both enjoyment and frustration.

What advice would you like to share with teachers?
To teachers I would say, respect your students, have clear expectations for them and demonstrate a passion for the subjects you teach. If you’re not passionate about the subjects you teach, you can’t expect your students to develop a love for the subject or even to be engaged.