West Seattle’s hottest ticket tonight wasn’t for a play or concert … instead, the gym-jamming capacity crowd of nearly 700 was there to cheer the stars of a once-in-a-lifetime show: The 49 members of the Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2010:
Outside, awaiting the school’s 30th annual graduation ceremony, some seniors were exuberant … others, perhaps a bit nervous … but once inside, with parents, grandparents, other family, friends, etc., it was serious business:
According to the program, the class address was given by valedictorian Elyssa Watford and salutatorian Kelsey Shaw; student-body president Mindon Win delivered the welcome and invocation, while senior-class president Gabrielle Little gave the closing prayer. Also from the program, the class’s scripture (II Timothy 4:7): “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
As mentioned earlier, tonight’s graduation night for Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle. Didn’t get a seat in the gym? Out of town? Or otherwise unable to go? Never fear – they’re planning to stream it live. Courtesy of SLHS’s Bil Hood, here’s the link. 7:30 pm is the scheduled start time.
Exactly one month after we first reported the resignation of West Seattle High School principal Bruce Bivins, who’s taking a job in California, we have just confirmed multiple reports that both WSHS assistant principals are leaving as well. Jenni Maughan-MacDonaldwrote about her plans on her What’s Happening at Westside website – she says she’s taking a “small school principal position” in Seattle’s neighbor district to the south, Highline Public Schools. And district spokesperson Teresa Wippel confirms that the other assistant principal, Anitra Pinchback-Jones, has resigned. So what now, we asked? She replied, “We have a pool of applicants for all positions and will be updating the community next week on our process.”
With the future of the now-vacant ex-Genesee Hill Elementary School building one of their area’s hottest topics, the new Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council had Seattle School Board rep Steve Sundquist on its first-ever general-meeting agenda. By the time he spoke, about 50 people were at the meeting, held at West Side Presbyterian Church. And before it ended, the group had elected its first official slate of officers. Toplines after the jump:Read More
Today is the last day of classes at Chief Sealth International High School for seniors, whose graduation ceremony is coming up next week. And for one of them, Sabas Rousseau, this is a truly memorable day – as he got a big surprise: Cirque de Soleil performers and reps from Sun Life Financial showed up to give him a Rising Star $5,000 scholarship – which he didn’t know about in advance! Flanking Sabas in the photo are Sealth principal John Boyd and Sun Life’s Mark O’Connor. The surprise award was elaborately orchestrated – Sabas and a small group of his fellow seniors were invited to come see a special show in honor of their last day of classes – here’s a card-trick skit, in which Sealth senior Daniel Davis played the sidekick:
Sabas, by the way, is one of three area students receiving a Rising Star scholarship today – the only one from West Seattle. In addition to his academic achievement, Sabas is an active volunteer, and is involved with Treehouse‘s College and Career Planning program, which helps foster-care youth with college and career readiness; as part of this award, Treehouse receives a $50,000 grant for financial education.
(WSB photo from January 2009)
We reported twice last year on the Gatewood Elementary robotics club, coached by volunteer adviser Erik Christensen. He’s got an even bigger dream now, for students all over West Seattle, so he’s entered Pepsi’s dream-funding “Refresh Everything” contest, asking for your vote. We asked about the pitch he’d make for your vote, and here’s what he wrote back:
I have a chance to make an educational change here in West Seattle.
I am a five-year volunteer at Gatewood Elementary. For the last three years I have run a robotics club that is VERY popular. This year I have expanded into Denny Middle school and want to do more. The schools I have spoken to want me to do more.
Pepsi is offering grants every month…I have asked for $250,000. If I get the grant I can install a robotics club in all of the schools in West Seattle.
I could even work to have robotics incorporated into the class, which really increases class interest and promotes the sciences.
Cast your vote at refresheverything.com (type in gatewood in the search box if you have trouble finding the page) and vote for my idea. [Direct link here]
Each elementary school and middle school could have two clubs and incorporate 16 students…possibly more.
I could write a long and poetic piece about how it would be good for the kids…etc…etc. I choose to just state it in a simple way.
Thats all there is! Help me get this grant and help me give good opportunities to the students of West Seattle. Vote daily, vote frequently, vote often…please vote!
As far as we can tell, Community School of West Seattle likely gets the designation “last school auction of the year” with its Flooring ’20s event this Saturday (so named because they’re blending a flapper theme with the fact they need to raise at least $20,000 to redo the school’s flooring). Items listed for live and silent auction include a private performance by Caspar Babypants (aka West Seattle-residing rocker Chris Ballew), plus, looking at the online list of items, we see it includes offerings from WSB sponsors includingFauntleroy Chiropractic and Scratch and Peck … and tons more … it’s a VERY long list. The event’s 6:30-10 pm this Saturday at the school (22nd SW and Roxbury); it’s free, with hors d’oeuvres and desserts plus a no-host bar. You can RSVP and even buy raffle tickets right on the auction site.
With dozens of students running alongside, that’s Pathfinder K-8 P-E teacher Lou Cutler scoring a strong finish to his annual birthday run this mornin – one lap around the school playfield for each year of his life, raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is the seventh time Lou’s done this, but a few things were different this year – for one, it’s the first time around the field at Pathfinder’s new Pigeon Point campus; for two, he tacked on an extra lap – 59th birthday, 60 laps. We’ll check later on the fundraising total; you can donate online here.
(Photos by Cori Roed)
When you’re talking Seafair Pirates (who invade Alki on July 10th) and parades, you know it’s summer, rain or shine. These photos are from last weekend but just came in, courtesy of Cori Roed, who explains:
At a parade in New Westminster, BC, Canada, on Saturday, May 29th, the Denny International MS Marching Band, under the command of Band Director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton, stormed and took over the ship of Seattle’s own Seafair Pirates. (To be fair, it was early and the pirates didn’t put up that much of a fight.)
(Photos courtesy Tim Hinthorn)
A few days ago, Susan G. Komen for the Cure volunteer Meg Paynore-mailed WSB to share the story of a Holy Rosary School class running in the Race for the Cure today to honor their beloved teacher, who’s fighting breast cancer. She explained that they were chosen to start the Kids’ Race because of their touching story; we published that report on Friday night. This morning, they ran in the rain – and Tim Hinthorn just sent a note to share photos along with this report:
Over twenty students and their families from Holy Rosary School didn’t let summer rain drown their spirits as they participated in the Susan G Komen “Race for the Cure” this morning.
The students wore “Running for Robel” t-shirts to express their love and support for Second Grade teacher Karen Robel. Willie McGaughey, Cory Hinthorn, and Ethan Grassley finished the kids’ race first, second, and third respectively, and all participants finished the race with enthusiasm, love, and hope that Mrs. Robel recovers soon!
Though the race is over, the Komen organization accepts online donations year-round – go here.
One day after staffers described as “union members” at Schmitz Park Elementary Schoolvoted “no confidence” in Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson – as noted here – their counterparts at another West Seattle school are reported to have done the same thing. This vote was at Sanislo Elementary, according to this item on the Save Seattle Schools website (a noncommercial, volunteer operation that provides thorough coverage/discussion of district issues). The site says at least two other schools in the district have had similar votes. ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: A group calling itself the “Seattle Shadow School Board” says it’ll be rallying before the 6/16 School Board meeting to show opposition to renewing the superintendent’s contract. 5:30 pm outside SPS HQ in SODO.
Two West Seattle school successes to share! First – on Friday, Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark got to show some waterborne solidarity with his school’s mascot – the dolphin. The always-dapper principal went into a dunk tank, suit and all, to celebrate his student body “demonstrating their brilliance through substantial increases on several academic assessments.” The ‘after’ photo:
He says some other staffers braved the water too. Next, north to Holy Rosary School:
That’s the Green Elective Class at Holy Rosary, showing off the award certificate and $500 they got for winning a Terry Husseman Sustainable School Award (a state program, explained here) According to the state website, Holy Rosary was honored for:
Establishes and implements a variety of sustainable programs within the school and community from composting to “no idle zones”. Their overall goal is to encourage a lifestyle that embraces responsible green behaviors.
The same document also reveals that Gatewoodand Roxhill Elementary Schools in West Seattle won Husseman Awards too!
At West Seattle High School tonight, the WSHS Alumni Association‘s annual All-School Reunion included even more special moments than usual. This is the centennial anniversary of the first WSHS graduating class in 1910 (12 seniors, per a WSHS history summary) – in their honor, the half-centennial-anniversary class of 1960 appeared together onstage with emcee Gary Smith (Class of ’66; photo above). Then, there were three Hall of Fame inductees:
The trio included WSHS’s highest-ranking current alumnus, King County Executive Dow Constantine (Class of ’80), shown above with Karen Seamens Dobbs (Class of ’71), current WSHS Alumni Association president. The other inductees are internationally accomplished photographer Harald Sund (Class of ’61) and retired business executive Wendell Hurlbut III (Class of ’49). Hurlbut couldn’t be there, but Sund was on hand:
Another big part of the program – presenting scholarships; this year, the first-ever Tim Brenton Scholarship, in honor of the WSHS-alum Seattle police officer killed in the line of duty last year, went to Genneva Machmiller:
That’s Genneva with the WSHSAA president. She’s planning to major in nursing at UW. Other scholarship recipients from the Class of 2010:
*Korinne Ainsworth (Friedline, WSHS Alumni scholarships), planning to major in English at UW
*Sam Ameny (WSHS Alumni scholarship), planning a business law/sports agent major at UW
*Raymond Carter (Duke/Radar scholarship), planning a chemical enginering major at UW
*Triston Endreao (Blauert scholarship), planning an environmental-studies major at Whitman
*Karen Lowe (WSHS Alumni scholarship), planning a biochemistry/medical research major at UW
*Carl Swenson (WSHS Alumni scholarship), planning a nursing major at Gonzaga
*Biniaim Woldehaimanot (Bacas Delimitro scholarship), planning a law major at Western Washington
Before the award ceremony, attendees got to “roam the halls” and admire classic cars displayed along SW Stevens before joining in one of more than three dozen by-class reunions assigned to various WSHS classrooms. The West Seattle Big Band then played a set in the theater before the award announcements got under way.
(Photo by Evan Miglorie)
That’s Quin Hopkins, one of many Lafayette Elementary Schoolstudents whose work was on display tonight during for a special school-wide Art Walk. Family, friends and neighbors thronged the Admiral District school to admire the creations:
(Photo courtesy Luckie)
It wasn’t all hangable work, either:
(Photo courtesy Luckie)
And if you missed tonight’s Art Walk – some of the work is on display in neighboring businesses, too!
(Photo by Evan Miglorie)
Performing arts were showcased at Lafayette tonight too, with performances by the choir and the Popcorns jump-rope team. And tomorrow, they’ll focus on writing, with Young Author’s Conference sessions. ADDED 1:21 AM: We have video of some of the onstage performances from Thursday night, courtesy of Edgar Riebe from Captive Eye Media:
South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) is expanding its automotive-technology-training facility – and it will get a new name, one that’s widely known around West Seattle. Here’s the official announcement, just received from the college:
In recognition of more than 30 years of support for South Seattle Community College, the college is honoring the Huling family, of West Seattle, in the naming of an expanded and remodeled automotive technology training facility.
The Seattle Community Colleges trustees will name the facility the Steve and Sharon Huling Automotive Center. The new center will ensure that students work with tools and equipment that closely match current industry standards.
“We deeply appreciate the Hulings for their generous, long-time support of the college,” said Jill Wakefield, chancellor of the Seattle Community Colleges and former South president. “Their on-going partnership with the college has resulted in nearly $2 million in equipment, funds, and other support, which has advanced and improved the training opportunities for our automotive students.”
The announcement continues with more details on the expansion, after the jump:Read More
With two days to go till Thursday night’s open-house celebration at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, one of its major tenants, the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, is welcoming some outdoor cleanup help today – a small herd of goats. Four of them were at work on various ivy-and-other-invasive-infected spots around the back parking lot when we stopped by, so no big group shots, but FCC’s Kim Sheridan says, “They should be here for the day, cleaning up our planting beds and miscellaneous greenery that needs their attention.” (The one in our photo was taking a quick break to stare – wistfully? – at the nursery stock on the other side of the fence from his designated ivy patch.)
Hard to believe the school year only has three weeks to go (June 22 is Seattle Public Schools‘ official last day) – lots of school events happening as the year wraps up; we have two reports to share today, sent along with photos recently by Jeanne Merritt of Madison Middle School:
On May 21 Madison Middle School had its annual May Day Bash. The evening included a spaghetti dinner, a sundae bar, a cake walk, and a silent auction. Funds raised will help support the school library, plus school and classroom activities.
Silent auction items included some truly fine art and craft items that were donated, classroom baskets (e.g. a gardener’s basket, a dog lover’s basket, etc.) and more. [Photo below] Ms. Myers’ math students did an artistic rendering of their name by using reflectional and rotational symmetry. Then the names were put together into a large work of art for another auction item. (If you don’t know what reflectional and rotational symmetry are, you will need to ask a Madison sixth grader!)
Madison staff are very appreciative of their PTSA for all their hard work putting together this fun event.
Madison also celebrated its Super Science Night this month – click ahead to see that report, and photos, plus the answer to an unusual question:Read More
That photo was taken two years ago, overlooking what was then the Pathfinder K-8 schoolyard atop Genesee Hill, while P-E teacher Lou Cutlerled students on his annual birthday run to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, as Pathfinder gets close to wrapping up its first year at its new campus on Pigeon Point, Lou’s getting ready to run again. June 7 is the day – one week from tomorrow – and he’s put up a link for pledges (go here – you can donate one flat sum or make a pledge for each lap). Lou traditionally runs one lap for every year he’s been around, so this year that means 59, according to the Facebook invite for his birthday run (you can also find more info on the school website).
Just a few hours after Seattle Lutheran High Schoolwon the state championship in 2B baseball, the jubilant players were welcomed home just after 10:30 tonight – our first clip shows the honks, whoops and cheers as their bus rolled up outside the gym, where they, their coaches, and a spirited group of family and friends celebrated. They beat Colfax 10-6 in a late-afternoon game in Yakima. ADDED 12:51 AM: As the players joined well-wishers and coaches inside the SLHS gym, they first gathered for “one last prayer as a team,” before another burst of exuberance:
And a few words from the coaching/athletics team (Steve Meehan speaking, with – from left – Dan Imori, William Clowney, Mike Hay):
Bil Hood of SLHS tells WSB that two players also won individual sportsmanship awards over the past two days – Jordan Webb on Friday, Mike Register on Saturday. This is the school’s first baseball championship and its first state championship in 12 years – they have a boys’ soccer championship from 1990, boys and girls cross-country championships in 1992, and boys track in 1998.
From our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times: West Seattle High School‘s boys’ track team took second in the state championships with 53 points, two behind defending state champ North Central. WSHS won the 400-meter relay, and Markeem Adams won the 100-meter race. (Detailed results here.)
(Photo added 8:11 pm, sent by Bil Hood of SLHS)
Congratulations to the Seattle Lutheran High School Saints baseball team – within the past half hour, according to the @seattlelutheran Twitter feed, the team won the 2B state championship, beating Colfax 10-6. The game was played in Yakima. More details later!
As promised, Seattle Lutheran High School sent updates on Twitter all day on how their athletes were faring in big games/meets – and the biggest news of all, the Saints baseball team beat Mossyrock 14-7, advancing to the finals tomorrow. They’ll play Colfax at 4 pm in Yakima. In other sports, the softball team lost its first game of the day but rebounded for a win later and is still alive in the state tournament, and two runners are off to their finals too – check here for all the tweets.
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In recognition of more than 30 years of support for South Seattle Community College, the college is honoring the Huling family, of West Seattle, in the naming of an expanded and remodeled automotive technology training facility.
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