West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
When the Seattle Public Schools Board convenes its next meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, July 2), they’ll hear from at least two people who want to express opposition to a district plan to move the Interagency Academy high-school program out of the “Old Roxhill Elementary” building at SW Roxbury and 30th SW. The district also is planning to move the BRIDGES Transition program, for young adults with developmental disabilities, out of the building. Those are the two major programs that the district placed in the “Old Roxhill” building (as explained here) after the Roxhill Elementary program moved to the historic, renovated EC Hughes Elementary building seven years ago. Here’s the letter sent to the BRIDGES and Interagency programs’ students, families, and staff in mid-June by district Chief of Staff Bev Redmond and Associate Superintendent Dr. Rocky Torres-Morales:
Earlier this school year, Seattle Public Schools leadership initiated a series of conversations with students, families, and staff at the Old Roxhill Elementary site, which currently houses some of the Interagency and BRIDGES programs. After careful consideration and in response to the input we received, SPS has developed a proposal to relocate both programs to different sites so that we can better support student learning, needs, and safety.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, the following changes are being considered:
=Students enrolled in the Old Roxhill Interagency Southwest campus will transition to the Interagency Columbia site (3528 S. Ferdinand St.), a location and learning environment better suited to the program’s goals. Plans are also underway to determine a permanent location for the program in the Southwest region by the 2026-27 school year.
-Students in the Old Roxhill SW BRIDGES program will now attend the BRIDGES at Chief Sealth International High School program site (2600 SW Thistle St.), where they will benefit from being co-located with the resources of a comprehensive school campus. Students who were temporarily attending Old Roxhill SE BRIDGES during the Rainier Beach High School construction project will return to Rainier Beach High School.
As we continue to consider the impact of the move on students, staff, and families, we recognize transitions can bring both excitement and uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive move for each school community.
We are also ensuring the plan aligns with board policy. We are actively working with leadership teams at both receiving campuses to prepare for transition. You can expect to hear directly from your school principals with specific details about what to expect next and how to prepare. We appreciate your continued partnership and trust as we work together to create the best possible learning environments for all students. We will continue to listen as this plan is refined and finalized.
We’ve asked the district if that means the Old Roxhill building would be fully closed or whether it would be kept open for some other use; to date, we have not received an answer, only, “The plan to relocate the Interagency and BRIDGES programs at the Old Roxhill Elementary site is under consideration. As of now, this is just a proposal; there is additional work that needs to be done before the plan is final.” Though there was no elaboration on the “safety” concern voiced in the district’s letter, concerns were voiced after the building was hit by bullets earlier this year.and the building’s general condition was described as “deplorable” 13 years ago, with no major remodeling in the years since (just some seismic-retrofit work).
Back to what happens next: We’re still trying to find out; community members are signed up to speak at tomorrow’s board meeting though there’s no related matter on the board’s agenda.
When we reported recently on the Seattle Public Schools board designating Fred Podesta as acting superintendent through the summer, we noted that the district has a survey open, asking questions to assist with the process of hiring the next permanent superintendent. Tomorrow is the last day to participate in the survey, and School Board President Gina Topp (who is the elected board director for West Seattle and most of South Park) asked us to mention it again: “It’s an important opportunity for families and community members to weigh in.” Find the survey here.
(South Seattle College photo: President Dr. Monica Brown speaking at ceremony)
This year’s biggest graduating class on the West Seattle peninsula has been celebrated and congratulated. Here’s the report from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), which has its main campus on Puget Ridge, with a satellite campus in Georgetown:
South Seattle College celebrated the Class of 2025 on Friday with a commencement ceremony at University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena. The ceremony brought together graduates from South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College – all part of the Seattle Colleges District.
611 graduates from SSC were recognized for their achievement of earning a degree or certificate.
SSC President Monica Brown addressed graduates at the event, sharing advice for the future.
“Stay true to your values and goals, and you will navigate any adversity with confidence,” Dr. Brown said. “Tune out the noise and the chaos around you and protect your peace. Moreover, never underestimate the power of community and support. Surround yourself with those who uplift and encourage you, and be that support for others.”
Menen Girma was selected as SSC’s 2025 commencement speaker. As a first-generation college student and President of SSC’s student government, she worked to amplify student voices and advocate for change. Menen will attend New York University this fall on a full-ride scholarship and aspires to work for the United Nations, tackling global inequalities and empowering others to create change.
“Whether it was the staff who showed me balance was possible, or the professors who constantly reminded me that I had what it takes or the administrators who believed in me, even during the times when I was struggling to believe in myself …it is because of this community that I can proudly say I am the first Ethiopian American student government president,” Girma said. “All of this has proven to me that choosing South Seattle College was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Commencement Facts
-South’s 611 graduates collectively earned 649 degrees and certificates (many students graduate with multiple certificates). Awards include bachelor of applied science degrees for those furthering their expertise and earning potential, college transfer degrees for those planning to attend a four-year university as their next step, career training degrees and certificates for those seeking immediate employment, and high school completion awards.
-123 graduates were part of Seattle Promise, a college tuition and success program launched by Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and the City of Seattle following passage of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy in 2018.
That levy is up for renewal/expansion this fall.
Hours after Seattle Public Schools classes ended for the year on Wednesday, the School Board met to appoint chief operating officer Fred Podesta as acting superintendent, at least until September 3. That’s the originally scheduled date that Dr. Brent Jones was supposed to end his tenure, but he’s on medical leave that is expected to last through the remainder of his time with the district. Documents in the agenda from last night’s special meeting of the School Board, at which the appointment was made, note that the COO is designated backup for the superintendent anyway. Podesta has been with the district for six and a half years. As for a new permanent superintendent, the district is still in the “community engagement” phase; a survey is open for another 10 days, and a variety of “engagement sessions” are scheduled (none in West Seattle, but some are online) – go here for the links to all that.
P.S. The district is taking applications through July 31; here’s the job listing.
Story and video by Tracy Record
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
for West Seattle Blog
The current chaotic state of the world got several mentions during the West Seattle High School Class of 2025 graduation at Memorial Stadium downtown last night.
First – though most may have been unaware as they entered the stadium in bright sunshine, this commencement ceremony made history.
Tuesday was the last night of graduation ceremonies at the historic stadium before its redevelopment project begins. WSHS brought nearly 400 graduating seniors, including Ben Godfried, who gave the welcoming speech. “We’re tired of waking up to stories that seem ridiculous but are true. We’re here to say it doesn’t have to be this way.”
The staff speaker, teacher Kyle Glover, offered advice on navigating the employment world, including a warning that even a dream job can become a nightmare, and how to prioritize your time:
The first student speaker, Ryan Wade, asked classmates to remember that “Wildcats always take care of each other”:
Lucy Warren & Friends then provided a musical interlude:
One of the 16 Class of 2025 valedictorians, Ellen Rikhof, was the ceremony’s other student speaker, marveling that in this time, simply caring has become a “radical act’:
WSHS principal Brian Vance, finishing his seventh year at the school, offered words of gratitude for many, and then led the crowd in one last “spelldown,” involving the spectators as well as ceremony participants.
Though some of the previous speakers had warned against putting the weight of the world on this generation’s shoulders and expecting them to “save” everyone else, Vance suggested similar hopes. (What else are you going to do on a night like this, so full of hopes and dreams and possibilities?) Vance presented the class to School Board President Gina Topp, who accepted them, and then it was time for the calling of those nearly 400 names, announced by Tom Burggraff and Julia Harper:
And the tassel-turning, led by Malia Barker:
Then the new grads proceeded to bid faculty farewell:
And it was on into their new lives – celebrating where they’re going, with a nod to where they’d been.
(You can see the district’s recording of the full ceremony here.)
In a comment during our power-outage coverage, someone wondered if the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 graduation ceremony would be affected. Turns out it was – but everybody adapted adeptly, says Amy, who sent the photo and report:
Just wanted to give a shout out to Boren STEM K-8 8th graders who had their 8th grade graduation this evening at the school with no power. They had to pivot with only an hour before the ceremony when the lights went out. They moved the event to the lunch room since it has windows and natural light, moved as many decorations as they could, and they had no mics or amplified music or slideshows as planned. The grads rolled with it all, gave their speeches, celebrated each other, and still had a great evening together. Congratulations to all the graduates!
Poetry Slam participants Delicia Figueroa, Ruby Garcia Campos, and Alex Garcia
Story, video, and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A packed house filled the Denny International Middle School Galleria on Thursday evening for the 13th annual ]8th-grade Poetry Slam, featuring spoken performances by more than 50 Denny students and special guest poets.
After a welcome from Denny principal Mary Ingraham, literacy teacher and event organizer Colin Slingsby (at right in the photo below) and assistant principal for literacy Michael Kamin praised the bravery and talent of the participating students as they express themselves through poetry:
The teachers also explained the “slam etiquette” and format, including the audience’s use of “snaps” to show encouragement and appreciation.
The official motto of the event, which was decorated as a backdrop on the stage, was a Swahili proverb with a theme of unity: “A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way.” Here is a PDF of the official program for the event.
Although Slingsby and the other organizers repeatedly emphasized that the focus of the event was on the overall experience and participation, not on competition, a panel of esteemed judges did evaluate and score every performance:
From left-to-right that’s former Denny students Addison Johnsen-Whited, Doe Doe, and Alex Casamalhaupa, who each also helped start the show by performing a poem of their own, along with fellow former student Hazel Simper (who Slingsby said he invited to perform her poem Rosemary because it was “one of the best poems I’ve ever heard,” and here’s our video of it: Hazel Simper – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam)
At the end of the night, the winning poets (as pictured in the photo below, courtesy of poetry teacher Emily Neeleman) were:
The student emcees for the event, keeping things moving between poets, were Marco Cendejas, Lizbeth Garcia and Isaac Naranjo-Lopez:
Also providing audio flavor between poets, as well as music during the pre-event dinner in the galleria, was Denny slam mainstay DJ Sureal:
Before the current Denny students took the stage, guests were treated to poems by professional guest poets Jamaar Smiley (see our video here: Jamaar Smiley – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam), a West Seattleite who Slingsby said he reached out to via his website and was pleasantly surprised to get an enthusiastic response, as well as Smiley’s guests Gentleman Dro and Wizdom the Wordsmith:
Then it was time to hear from the talented Denny student poets, such as Lyn Visick:
Topics from the poets ranged from the serious to the lighthearted, everything from gender issues and abuse to sports and food (see below). Most of the poets performed individually, and here are videos of a couple of them:
Some of the poets performed as groups, in “two-voice” or “three-voice” style, and here are some videos of those:
Among the more serious recurring themes of the night were poems about the immigrant family experience and international family heritage, with several poems delivered in Spanish (with English translation on a projector):
Slingsby thanked attendees for coming and students for participating, and also gave special thanks to a host of volunteers and helpers who made the event happen, including: Denny teachers and leadership, Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Denny City Year team, El Paisano Rosticeria y Cocina, DJ Sureal, the special guest poets, and former Denny students/judges.
Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
One more big event. today: The Chief Sealth International High School parking lot was a rainbow of colors today as the Chief Sealth Automobile Association held its first-ever car show, in collaboration with White Center community staple Eazy Duz It Car Club. Visitors were treated to rows of extravagant cars, live music, dancing, and food.
Unfortunately for Chief Sealth IHS Junior and club president Richie Nguyen, his favorite car was not in attendance. As he puts it, “A Paul Walker classic – the Nissan Skyline R34” (as in Paul Walker, best known for his roles in the original “Fast and Furious” films).
Despite this, he couldn’t have been happier with the event. The Chief Sealth Automobile Association has been planning this all year, according to Nguyen. Seeing the parking lot lined with more than a dozen chrome-plated bumpers and metallic finishes in colors across the spectrum brought him hope for the future of the club.
“Today isn’t just a way to show off cars and spread car culture, it’s a chance for the community to get together,” Nguyen said. “(District) Funding was difficult to get, but eventually we sat down and figured out exactly what we needed, and we made it happen.”
Nguyen managed to reach every corner of the Chief Sealth community, with music performances from current students and alumni alike. The Chief Sealth MECHLA club attended, and the Chief Sealth Marching band and Jazz Combo, the Star Dance Club, and the alumni-led South Park-based band Opus all performed in the background of the show.
Special Education teacher Sopath Keith has helped oversee the club’s activities, and his connections played a crucial role in making the show happen. The credit should go to the students, though, according to Keith. “I was so impressed by how motivated the students were. Today wasn’t just a club event; it was an exercise in building networking skills, planning, and sending emails. All of those skills are things they’re going to need as adults. I just did whatever I could to help fulfill their goals. Most importantly, these kids worked hard.”
Fulfilling their goals in this case meant reaching out to the Eazy Duz It Car Club, a White Center community mainstay who have been building, fine-tuning, and showing off lowrider cars since 2010. Eazy Duz It founder Keo Sanh says events like these are important for the club as both car enthusiasts and community members.
“(Eazy Duz It) started in 2010 as just a group of friends, but as we got older, we decided we wanted to get involved in the community. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. Events like this are a perfect example. When (Keith) told us about it, we went in full force, we didn’t hesitate,” said Sanh.
The pride and joy of the event for Sanh today was Eazy Duz It’s newest creation, a lowrider in metallic purple. Each year, the club builds a car, which will join more than 140 others during their summer show on July 19th, on 16th Avenue SW in White Center.
As for the Chief Sealth club: “Hopefully we can use this momentum to do bigger and better next year,” said Nguyen, looking ahead. They’re hoping to grow their membership, hold activities during the year, such as going to car shows, and even advising students on safe driving. They also hope to collaborate with West Seattle High School’s automotive club, the “Greasy Peeps” car club (which had its own show last weekend), in a joint show next summer.
Photos by Richard Figgins
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
The graduating 8th-grade class of Hope Lutheran School was honored and celebrated on Friday night during the school’s annual graduation ceremony, in front of an adoring crowd of friends and family.
There were 17 graduates in the class, and according to admissions director Sally Heit, they will be attending eight area high schools in the fall: West Seattle, Chief Sealth, Kennedy Catholic, Seattle Prep, Bishop Blanchet, Lakeside, Seattle Christian, and Vashon Island.
The class valedictorian was Emily Esses and co-salutatorians were Michael Raleigh and Addie Grotelueschen, and the winner of the coveted “Eagle Award” (voted on by classmates, for citizenship and character) was Bryson Fukumoto.
Hope principal Kristen Okabayashi said, “This year’s graduating class is a bright and talented group of young people! They care about the community around them and will do well at the high school of their choice. We are so proud of them!”
This 8th-grade class was part of the first middle-school group to attend classes this past year at Hope’s newly renovated “north campus” at the former Seattle Lutheran High School building at 4100 SW Genesee St. Friday’s graduation ceremony was held in its usual location in the Hope Lutheran Church sanctuary, attached to the school’s main campus at 42nd Ave SW & Oregon St.
Heit added that Hope Lutheran has openings for the next school year, and tours are available during the summer (contact the school here).
Here is another class photo courtesy of Hope Lutheran, featuring the class verse:
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Madison Middle School has unveiled two new community-led murals, as part of a push by the district to increase the number of murals in schools.
(Photo courtesyMadison PTSA)
The first mural is located in the main hallway. It was painted by student volunteers and coordinated by two Madison parents, Brian Peters and Royce Bixby. The project wasn’t just a chance to spruce up the school; it was also an opportunity for the students to exercise creative freedom, according to Audrey.
She is a student at Madison Middle School and helped work on the entryway mural. “I thought it was a really good environment. We got to work on the mural, and spend a lot of time together as friends.” The mural was painted over four 4-hour shifts, and each student volunteered time outside their class schedules, sometimes working until 9 pm.
(WSB photo)
Audrey was particularly proud of the whales in the sky and the mermaid template, both of which she suggested. It was a challenging process (especially painting the Ferris Wheel, which, according to her, took forever), but one she said felt incredibly rewarding.
The sentiment was shared by Bixby, an architect and Madison parent. He and graphic designer (and fellow parent) Peters, the two helped simulate a professional creative environment, planning and collaborating with the students to help realize their vision. Bixby said he was constantly impressed by the students. “We’re helping train the next generation of designers, and I was really impressed. It’s important to bring art to the schools.”
(Photo courtesyMadison PTSA)
“It’s so exciting to see these murals finally come together,” said Madison PTSA Co-President Amber Zeddies. Both murals were funded by the PTSA.
The second mural was painted by West Seattle-born artist Desmond Hansen, who first came to fame from his murals on the side of SDOT signal boxes, many in WS, some scattered across the city. This mural, located in the Madison Middle School Gym, sought to add more life the the building.
(Photo courtesy Madison PTSA)
Working with flexible hours, Hansen focused on Madison’s mascot, the Bulldog. “I’m honored that (the school) reached out to me,” Hansen said. “My son went to Madison, and now he’s moving up to West Seattle (high school). It feels like leaving a Hansen mark on the school, for me and my son.” (To see more of Hansen’s work, check out his website here.)
(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin)
~300 of our area’s young adults are waking up today for their first full day as high-school graduates. They are the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2025, whose commencement was celebrated last night at Memorial Stadium downtown. With the school band playing “Pomp and Circumstance,” faculty and about-to-be-grads made their grand entrance, with Sealth principal Hope Perry and School Board president Gina Topp leading the procession:
(WSB video by Tracy Record)
This was Perry’s first graduation ceremony as CSIHS principal.
She spoke of how proud she is of her students, for their questioning, their advocating, her certainty that their “resilience will create a community of leaders,”
Questions were at the heart of the speech given by featured student speaker Ryan Tran – “who am I? … who am I supposed to be, who am I meant to be … who are we?”
He also told the parents and guardians looking on from the Memorial Stadium stands, “As much as you are proud of us, we are proud of you.”
The featured staff speaker, teacher Angelia Thornton, told the Class of ’25, “You can pave your own way – you don’t have to follow.”
Then, what those on the field and in the stands had been awaiting – the reading of names as the seniors streamed onto and off the stage:
Emma Haynes led the tassel move:
Shortly thereafter, after some engaged in the ceremonial cap toss, it was time to bid farewell to the faculty as the new grads exited the stadium on the way to the next chapter of their lives.
P.S. The Sealth ceremony included a bonus performance by the band, directed by Joey Roberts:
If you want to see the entire ceremony, here’s the recording of the district’s stream. SPS is streaming all ceremonies, including West Seattle High School‘s upcoming graduation, set for 5 pm Tuesday (June 17).
As mentioned briefly in today’s highlight list, the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2025 graduates tonight, 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown. The school just asked us to publish this info, including how to watch the live stream/broadcast.
Here’s a clickable link to the YouTube stream. We’ll be there too, covering the ceremony for a report late tonight here on WSB.
That photo courtesy of the Alki Elementary PTA is from last year’s Alki-A-Thon – an end-of-school-year all-school fun(draiser) that’s coming up again this Friday (June 13)! They’re hoping you’ll pitch in and pledge in advance – here’s what the PTA wants us to know:
This jog-a-thon brings together students, staff, and families for a fun-filled day of running, music, and community spirit, all in support of vital programs at Alki Elementary. We’re actively seeking donations now through the event to fund arts and science enrichment, field trips, classroom resources, and equity efforts not covered by district budgets. It’s our most energizing school event of the year, and we’d love community donations to keep SPS students thriving.
Who: Alki Elementary students (kindergarten through 5th grade) running; family and immediate friends invited to attend
What: Alki-a-Thon, the school’s annual jog-a-thon fundraiser
When: Friday, June 13, 2025 (during the school day)
Why: To raise funds for PTA-supported programs that enrich student learning and support
To donate: app.99pledges.com/fund/alkiathon25
With a little more than one week of classes left for most Seattle Public Schools students, it’s time to look ahead. That includes a Roxhill Elementary fundraiser this Friday for which your help can make a big difference – here’s how:
Roxhill Elementary School will host our annual Jog‐A‐Thon on June 13 to support the 5th grade overnight outdoor learning field trip to Nature Bridge in the fall. Our students are collecting pledges for running laps on the playground this Friday, and community members are invited to make a donation.
During their 4-night stay, students engage in various outdoor learning activities that build self-confidence, team building skills, and knowledge of physical sciences. It has been a tradition for many years that each 5th grade class attends an outdoor learning education overnight field trip. It is the experience of a lifetime! Donations will help cover a portion of transportation costs, meals, and other expenses.
This year’s fundraiser is especially important because the new Washington State budget removed the Outdoor Learning Grant program that previously helped offset the cost for Title I schools to go to camp. We hope our community will help us fill the gap and also support other impacted West Seattle elementary schools facing the same cuts.
Another announcement as the school year approaches its end: Chief Sealth International High School’s Drama Company will be staging two events to close out 2024-2025. On Saturday and Sunday – June 14th at 6:25 pm and June 15th at 4 pm – it’s the one-act play “The Angel Intrudes” by Floyd Dell. This one-act play is directed by students, and tickets will be just $2.
Then on Saturday, June 21st, at noon, the Intergenerational Theatre Project will present “The Lear Project,”described as a “company-devised piece based on participants’ writings, group exercises and discussions, and the first scene in Shakespeare’s King Lear.” We told you about the Intergenerational Theatre Project earlier this year. Essentially, it pairs students in the Chief Sealth Drama Company with adults to produce a theater show that bridges the generational divide. Tickets for the June 21st show will be free. Find out more about all these shows by going here.
Big weekend for reunions – especially West Seattle High School alums who time theirs to coincide with the annual All-School Reunion (which was held on Saturday). Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan shared the pic from the reunion of the WSHS Class of 1985, which gathered at his shop/café/music venue! Easy Street opened just three years after the Class of 1985 graduated, so its own 40th anniversary is in view too.
Another school fundraiser happening right now – the Westside Pickleball League‘s “Rally on the Rock” tournament at the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex racquet-sport courts. 150 players an 201, with players ages 16-82, according to the league’s Rosina Geary, who adds that it’s a fundraiser for the Chief Sealth International High School athletic department. CSIHS principal Hope Perry (below left) was there helping hand out medals earlier this afternoon:
Westside Pickleball League presented two $2,000 scholarships to graduating Chief Sealth seniors this year. Today’s tournament continues until around 4 pm, and there’s plenty of spectator space around the courts, which are west of Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle).
From today’s highlight list: Small but spirited assemblage of classic cars (and a few motorcycles) are parked for your perusal right now in the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW). This student-organized show is the first of two car shows at the school today/tonight. Above is a 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88; below, a 1957 Jeep:
This is a fundraiser and you can contribute to that by buying something at the bake sale that’s accompanying the show. They’re planning award presentations around 2:45.
Tomorrow (Saturday, June 7), 4-7 pm, the West Seattle High School Alumni Association welcomes all WSHS alums back to the campus for the annual All-School Reunion. It’s a start-of-summer tradition for the Alumni Association to organize this gathering to reconnect with schoolmates, celebrate student achievements, induct alumni into the Hall of Fame, and recognize members of the community.
This year, the two Hall of Fame inductees are Class of ‘66 graduate Kevin Mason, a professional vocalist with 50 years of experience, and Class of ‘63 graduate Gary Drobnack, an international forestry consultant and philanthropist.
The alumni publication Chinook has their stories as well as detailing 68 student scholarship recipients. 42 new scholarships for graduating seniors, and 26 scholarships for returning students. It also lists graduating class-specific events, including the Class of ’75‘s 50th reunion bash, at the West Seattle Golf Course. The day after, Sunday, June 8th, the Class of ’80 will be hosting its 45th reunion from 6-9 pm at Kenyon Hall.
The WSHS Alumni Association’s website has the schedule for tomorrow’s All-School Reunion events, including the traditional Classic Car Show on the driveway west of the historical entrance, also starting at 4 pm.
PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB
Summit Atlas, West Seattle’s only charter school, has just begun summer break. Hours before the last classes of this school year, the middle/high school’s 67 graduating seniors gathered for their commencement ceremony.
(Graduating senior Masarra Aljanabi speaking)
This year’s ceremony was held last night at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center.
(Graduating senior Genesis Desiree Victorio-Contreras embraces teacher Deborah Haislip)
Proud families and friends filled the event venue to help launch the grads into their post-high-school lives.
(Ofelia Cortes takes a moment before thanking her parents)
This year’s graduating class is twice the size of Summit Atlas’s first one back in 2021.
Summit Atlas ASB President Ella Galaites (below) also took to the podium to congratulate her classmates:
Mentors – including teacher Mandy Vu (below) – gave personal remarks about every student graduating:
Next commencement ceremony for a local high school will be Chief Sealth IHS, Wednesday, June 11, 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown, which is also where West Seattle HS‘s ceremony is planned for 5 pm Tuesday, June 17.
Thanks to Sanislo Elementary teacher Shannon Crowley for the photos! Above are some of the 150+ volunteers from Deloitte who descended on the Puget Ridge school today for volunteer work including mural painting. The one above is on a portable, and this one in the gym features the school’s namesake, Seattle Fire Captain Stephen Sanislo, who according to this HistoryLink vignette spent 31 years educating children about fire safety:
P.S. Here’s another photo of the portable mural, after it was complete:
Other Sanislo projects planned for the volunteer TLC today included garden beds. This was part of their company’s “Impact Day.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The breezeway of South Seattle College‘s central Robert Smith Building used to be a blank, bleak passageway through a space framed by unadorned concrete.
Not any more.
Now the college’s first mural “We Carry the Light, We Carry the Sky” graces the walls on both sides, even wrapping around the corners beyond. The mural painted by more than 100 students, staff, and community members was at the heart of a noontime celebration today. It was described as more than a “wall decoration … a radical reimagining” of the hopes and dreams of all who comprise the college’s community.
SSC’s dean of arts, humanities and social sciences Dr. Eileen Jimenez emceed the courtyard event, introducing Seattle Colleges tribal liaison Willard Bill Jr. of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for a welcome with drumming and singing:
Muralist Toka Valu told the two stories depicted by the mural – one about the coyote carrying fire, the other about collaborating to lift the sky:
Scott Mexcal, SSC art faculty and instructor for the mural class, described the mural as a “seed” that grew “a lot bigger than ever dreamed.” It depicts “what makes us, us,” he observed, “a community in which 80 primary languages are spoken.”
He also called it something befitting “the gateway for the larger community into the intimacy of our learning community.” And so it received a grand unveiling – curtains of gold tinsel draped over it, removed to reveal the panels:
You can see the mural any time by visiting the campus; it’s steps away from the SSC ballot box, among other landmarks. And if you want to support the creation of more murals – this one is envisioned as the first of seven – you can help with a fundraiser by donating here.
Just under two weeks of classes remain for Seattle Public Schools. But the goodbyes have already begun. For some, it’ll be just for the summer. Others won’t be back in fall – retiring faculty, for example.
West Seattle Elementary School staff gathered after school Wednesday afternoon to celebrate retiring co-workers. At the top of the list: Award-winning longtime principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers, retiring after 16 years at the school in High Point.
After a gathering in the library at which McCowan-Conyers and other retiring staffers were presented with crowns and sashes reading “OFFICIALLY RETIRED,” as well as gift bags, everyone headed downstairs for an extra surprise for the principal:
The plaque on the lobby wall was placed without her catching on, and will remain as a tribute to her years there. Assistant principal Ritchie Garcia will succeed her as interim principal next school year. His words of appreciation for her included that she “just cares straight up for people.” She also was celebrated for recognizing employees’ talents and knowing where to place them to maximize growth, and for her role in successes such as WSES’s multiple honors as a School of Distinction. She also was honored with a Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence two years ago.
Former WSES staffers who returned to help celebrate McCowan-Conyers’ retirement included her predecessor as principal, Vicki Sacco, who departed in 2016, leading to McCowan-Conyers’ promotion. In the style of what staff called “Pam-ism” sayings, she said, “You have served your community, served your school, now it’s time to put a period on it.”
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