Hilander Hall Of Fame Op-Ed Chris McCoy

Subject: Reader’s View in The Daily News

Aug 24,2024

Dear Hilander Nation,

In 2012, my great uncle Kirby McCoy, facing his final days, challenged me to "do something great for the kids of Kelso." That challenge birthed the Hilander Hall of Fame (HHoF), a digital institution celebrating over a century of Kelso's rich history – from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Tiahanakshih village to the '83 State Football Championship to legendary Joe Stewart.

My Kelso roots run deep. Raised mostly by a single mom on food stamps and free lunch, my brother Cam and I bounced between Longview and Kelso. At 14, I found stability with my grandpa in Longview. Nine years in each town shaped me. I'm a Hilander at heart, but Cowlitz County is home. My Grandpa Jack– a 36-year Longview postal worker and great friend of Kelso's legendary Athletic Director Leroy Faling– instilled the Hilander spirit in us early. The son of a mineral miner in Oklahoma who worked alongside Mickey Mantle's dad before moving to South Kelso, baseball was our first love and our grandpa was our hero.

Despite early challenges, Hilander nation lifted me from poverty to elected State and National DECA President. It lifted both my brother and me to the University of Washington to play baseball. From Barnes Elementary teachers introducing me to the term "entrepreneur" to the district's gifted DEEP program where I wrote my first line of computer code, to, at age 10, learning we were cousins with two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, from DECA, to nearly clinching the 4A state baseball championship in 2000, countless individuals shaped my journey. When an old neck injury sidelined my baseball dreams, I pivoted to tech entrepreneurship, carrying Kelso's grit with me.

The HHoF, a movement, is a living tribute to my Uncle Kirby's wishes and the Hilander spirit. It's a highlight of my +20-year career, made possible by Kelso's finest: Superintendent Mary Beth Tack, KPFS director Rick Davis, Cal Miller of Pacific Tech, and six other elected Trustees, including my lifetime friend and Gonzaga Women's Cross Country Coach Jake Stewart-- the son of Joe.

Our groundbreaking supermajority digital democracy sets us apart. Using Hilander Democracy, we've established a 9-member Trustee board and+15-member advisory board representing leaders across Kelso, including county legend Kirc Roland. As Benjamin Franklin said, "A republic, if you can keep it" – we must nurture this Hilander Democracy to unite our community.

We've already used it to induct legacy nominees from state Hall of Fames. Now, it'll power our community-driven Nomination process. The HHoF is where every Hilander's story becomes part of our shared legacy – from loggers to teachers, entrepreneurs to first responders, athletes to community leaders.
My uncle Kirby showed us what giving back means. From The Kage, to concession stands, his love for Kelso's kids sparked a renaissance. Let's honor his spirit through this HHoF. Participation is open to all. Nominations cost $1 for individuals, $5 for families, and $50 for organizations. Voting fees are $5 for individuals, $50for families, and $100 for organizations. We even have merch. All payments are tax-deductible donations to the Kelso Public Schools Foundation, supporting Kelso kids. Each entity gets one vote, ensuring a fair democratic process.

I invite all to join us. Visit hilanders.org/hof to nominate your Hilander heroes and cast your votes. Your participation is essential.

Together, let's show the world what being a Hilander means. Let's honor our past, inspire our present, and invest in Kelso's future.

‍Legends aren't born. They're made in Kelso.

‍Chris McCoy
Hilander Class of 2001

‍Bio: Chris McCoy is currently the CEO of STORE Research, the founder of Data4America, and partner at McCoy Ventures. Alongside his wife Ciara, he is building technology in San Francisco, CA, with his twin daughters climbing by his side. Connect with Chris on Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/chrisamccoy