West Seattle, Washington
02 Tuesday
The West Seattle High School production of “Chicago,” which opened tonight, is so big, it has its own trailer video (watch it above)! And a triple-digit total of students and others involved. Here’s the overview:
Get ready to be razzle-dazzled as West Seattle High School proudly presents Chicago: High School Edition, bringing all the glitz, glamour, and intrigue of the legendary Broadway musical to the local stage! The production continues on March 28, 29, and April 2, 3, and 4 at the West Seattle High School Auditorium. Tickets here!
Set in the roaring 1920s, Chicago follows the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two fame-hungry women caught up in a whirlwind of crime, corruption, and showbiz. With iconic Kander & Ebb songs like All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle, this thrilling production promises an unforgettable night of music, dance, and drama.
The cast, crew, and orchestra are fantastic this year and feature some very talented seniors, making this production especially meaningful. This production is one of the most ambitious and elaborate ever attempted by the high school. The set alone is a major achievement… but you have to come see it to appreciate it!
“This show is a celebration of all of our students’ hard work and artistic excellence,” said Daniel Wiener, the production’s director. “We’re thrilled to share their incredible performances with the community.”
Tickets are available at westsidedramatickets.ludus.com/index.php
Don’t miss your chance to experience this spectacular production and support the future stars of musical theater!
Along with director Wiener, the production also involves Band Director Ethan Thomas, Vocal Director Taylor Fritts, and Choreographer Sarah Brown (WSHS class of 2021), who produced the trailer. Curtain goes up at 7:30 pm. The theater is on the south side of the school, steps from the gym, at 3000 California SW.
Thinking of flower baskets this year? The Bridge School cooperative elementary is selling baskets as a fundraiser:
Hanging Flower Basket Fundraiser
Now through April 11Pickup date: Friday, May 2 or Saturday, May 3 at The Bridge School (10300 28th Ave SW)
The Bridge School is holding our annual Hanging Basket Fundraiser. We’re excited to offer beautiful 12″ Premium Hanging Baskets from Van Wingerden Greenhouses. Options are available for both sun and shade exposure. Add some color to your own porch, or pick one up as a Mother’s Day Gift!
Price is $45 each. Baskets will be available for pickup at the Bridge School (10300 28th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146) on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3.
Order at /tinyurl.com/bp9ebk2w
The growers are the same ones who create the West Seattle Junction’s hanging baskets!
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School Cheer Squad – member Alice Herron sends the photo and news that their teams won Washington State Cheer Coaches Association championships today!
We competed today at the WSCCA All-State competition and both teams from WSHS won first place!
In All-Girl Intermediate Stunt, Alice Herron, Ava Murray, Sophie McNamara, Amaya Stagi came in first for their division!
In Coed Advanced Stunt, Christiano Solis, Mia Casillas, Sadie Stover, Eva Tatman came in first for their division!
Both are coached by Nadine Nguyen at WSHS.
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: Police responded to Denny International Middle School around 11 am today after a report of a possible gun on campus. We don’t have confirmation yet that a gun or other weapon was actually found, but Seattle Public Schools did provide this letter that Denny’s principal Mary Ingraham subsequently sent to the school community:
Dear Denny Families and Staff,
Our school is committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff. I want to share with you an incident within our school today.
This morning, we received reports that a student had a weapon on campus. We immediately called the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the SPS Safety and Security team. School administrators were with all students involved from the time of the report until it was resolved. There remains an increased security presence this afternoon, but classes have continued as normal.
Please know that we take safety in our buildings very seriously. Any threat made by a student that impacts the safety and security of our students will have an immediate response from myself and district staff.
We appreciate our students and staff for their vigilance and quick reporting, as well as the swift response from our security team and law enforcement partners.
Maintaining a safe learning environment is our highest priority, and we encourage everyone to continue sharing any concerns with school staff and administrators. Any community member or student can also use the SPS Safe Schools Hotline 206-252-0510 to report any threats to our school. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. I will be happy to speak with you directly.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school safe.
Sincerely,
Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School
We have asked both SPS and SPD for more information.
ADDED 2:30 PM MONDAY: We asked SPD whether a gun was actually found and whether anyone was arrested; their reply, “Officers arrived at the school and the suspect student had already been released to go home. The victim was interviewed and stated that a handgun was seen. All parties have been identified, and Gun Violence Reduction Unit will be investigating the incident.” We haven’t heard from SPS but SPD’s reply raises a few other questions so we’ll be asking again.
(WSB photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s all about reading right now at Tilden School, an independent secular elementary in West Seattle.
Reading is always big at the small-but-mighty Home of the Owls, but right now there are two bonus reasons, both open to community participation: The annual Read-a-Thon, and a Book Fair. More on those later in this story.
Overseeing it all is Tilden’s first-year head of school, Andrew Gustav, himself a Tilden alum, “graduating” in 2002. He’s also the son of a teacher who was at Tilden for 15 years. Tilden educators tend to go by their first names, so former students might remember her as Fran. Gustav says he’s still trying to get used to going by his first name, though “Mr. G” works too.
Gustav’s mom retired just before the pandemic, an event from which many schools’ enrollment has not yet fully recovered, Tilden included. It has 67 students now and room for 33 more.
Asked for the one-line description of his school, Gustav offers, “We are the liberal-arts college of elementary schools in West Seattle.” Tilden’s roots go back 40 years to founder Whitney Tjerandsen wanting to start the kind of school she wanted her child to attend. “It’s really a service community,” suggests Gustav, teaching kindness as well as academics. Specialties include science, art, history, social skills, and music (which Tjerandsen, despite having technically retired four years ago, leads every Thursday).
Tilden students’ art was shown during last week’s West Seattle Art Walk (as reported here). It also adorns the Tilden hallways (their building north of The Junction is co-housed, but not affiliated, with First Lutheran Church of West Seattle).
The hallway displays are one of the things Gustav says he loves about the school – “walking down the halls covered in art, covered in stories. We encourage students to express themselves, to be who they are … to understand that individuals have differences and there’s value in that.”
Writing can celebrate that, and so can reading. March is National Reading Month, Gustav notes, adding, “Tilden has always had a strong culture of reading,” and that’s why the Read-a-Thon is their biggest fundraiser of the year. “Students commit to a certain number of pages, and sponsors support that reading” – in a variety of ways, as shown here. “Knowledge is the one thing that can’t be taken from you.” But reading doesn’t just apply to words, Gustav adds – “if they just want to read graphic novels, that’s OK too.” He sees it all as “creating a better tomorrow.”
And that’s what he’s hoping to do for Tilden itself – after 40 years, “maintaining some of our traditions and adding to them, improving them.” Traditions include a Thursday morning gathering where he offers a prompt for the students to use as writing inspiration. The week before our interview, he had suggested they write “about something they were celebrating, an achievement or victory or accomplishment.” The inspirations varied – a martial-arts tournament, a game on the playground; “We’re asking students to be a little vulnerable and talk about their own lives a bit … a good writer is a good communicator. (That is) one of the most important skills we have,” no matter what career you eventually take on.
In addition to program improvements, Gustav’s goals for Tilden School (a WSB sponsor) also include an expanded community presence – they’ll likely be involved with the Kids’ Zone at West Seattle Summer Fest again this year, for example – and pursuing accreditation through the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (a regional organization whose headquarters happen to be in West Seattle). That’s a major move requiring the school to examine its practices, policies, and financial plan, among other things. They’re also evaluating community needs and trying to “remove barriers to entry … working on an endowment so we can offer families financial aid,” which will help with the goal to “find ways to diversify our school and expand enrollment.” Participation in NWAIS, he adds, will enable more networking.
Before we wrapped up our conversation, we asked for more about Gustav’s background. He came from the Eastside – the Lake Washington schooldistrict, where he taught middle-school history for seven years before becoming Dean of Students at Timberline Middle School. His administrative experience there helped him learn “how to best address students’ needs” while helping them work on behavior that’s best “for society” as well as for them. That experience dovetails with social- and life-skills work at Tilden, among other things: “How can we build capacity for making a mistake and learning from it? How can we build their resilience (by stressing) ‘you are going to mess up, make a mistake, that’s where the growth happens …”
And then there’s the fun stuff about leading a school. When we talked, he was still mulling ideas for additional Read-a-Thon rewards – maybe a pie in the face for him, if they hit a certain page goal. But the job itself is fun, as it brings him “full circle” from his Tilden student days: “We’re excited about what the future holds.”
For prospective families, know that most of their current openings are in the higher grades; kindergarten and 1st grade are “pretty much full.” (A side note about the lower grades at Tilden: “We don’t believe in one-to-one screens before third grade. We’re teaching students to respect the computer, and then do things away from it.”
Operations administrator Jennifer Trise adds, “We greet the kids every morning and they’re running into the building! I think that’s a testament that we’re doing something right.” She says that includes the change at the top: “We’re delighted to have Andrew – the energy shift is massive.”
P.S. You can support Tilden’s Read-a-Thon here, or contact Gustav at andrewg@tildenschool.org to “set up becoming a grade-level or day sponsor, committing to specific donations for total pages read.” (The goal is 23,200 pages – about a thousand more than last year’s total!) And if you’re planning on buying a book soon for your own reading needs, a Book Fair is happening right now – through Sunday (March 23) – at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW); just mention Tilden when making a purchase.
Spring sports are under way at local high schools. One is asking you to warm up your throwing arm and help. Here’s the request we were asked to share with you:
Baseball and softball aren’t just sports at Chief Sealth International High School — they’re a source of pride, teamwork, and opportunity for our students. But right now, our teams are facing a serious challenge. Many talented young athletes in our community simply can’t afford to play.
The cost of gear—gloves, bats, cleats, and protective equipment—is too high for some families.
Field maintenance and facility upgrades are desperately needed.Without proper funding, fewer students are able to participate, threatening the future of these programs.
We refuse to let financial barriers stop our students from stepping up to the plate.
With your support, we can provide:
⚾ Scholarships for student-athletes who can’t afford fees
🥎 New equipment to ensure every player has what they need
⚾ Team building activities to create a safe and welcoming space
🥎 Coaching and mentorship to inspire and grow our programEvery dollar makes a difference. Whether you’re a proud alumni, a local business, or a fan of the game, you have the power to keep baseball and softball alive at Chief Sealth International High School.
Donate today and help our student-athletes continue playing the game they love!
chiefsealthptsa.schoolauction.net/csihsplayball/give
Seattle Public Schools will be launching another superintendent search. Dr. Brent Jones announced this morning that he is leaving in early September. His announcement says highlights of his tenure include that “recent research has found that we have achieved accelerated academic recovery from pandemic declines at a significantly faster rate than Washington state as a whole or compared to similar districts in the state”; not mentioned, a key lowlight – last year’s scrapped school-closure plan.
Dr. Jones has been running the district for almost four years, since starting work as interim superintendent in 2021. At the time, he was only expected to fill that role for 14 months, but he became “permanent” superintendent instead. His announcement today says that “Further details on the superintendent search process will be announced in the coming weeks.” The announcement follows the Seattle Schools Community Forum website reporting Sunday that Dr. Jones might be leaving as his wife had accepted an out-of-state job.
We’ve heard so far from educators at two three local schools organizing “Walk-Ins” before classes Wednesday morning (March 19) as part of a nationwide demonstration against education cuts. Organizers are inviting community members to join staff and students. Here’s the invitation for West Seattle High School‘s Walk-In:
Staff, students, and community members of West Seattle High School (including community businesses and supportive neighbors) will be participating in a WALK-IN to celebrate our school, and to stand against cuts to ANY of the programs that serve our precious students.
School WALK-INs are happening across the country this Wednesday, March 19, for the same reasons; to stand as communities, for our children. The format is simple. 30 minutes to an hour prior to the start of the school day, staff members, students, parents, and supportive community members (including people from local businesses that serve our schools) gather in front of the schools to show support. Signs, musical instruments, carafes of coffee or tea and snacks to share are welcome. Then, about 20 to 30 minutes prior to the school day, we march as a body into the school.
Of course, we cannot have people who are not staff or students enter parts of the building that are not right up front, directly by the exits, because we need to maintain security, and begin our school day, but we can share context, contacts, ideas, and fellowship prior to our work days beginning. If anyone from West Seattle — parents, alumni, and Beloved Community members see this, and want to join us Wednesday morning, we will be gathering at 7:45 AM in front of the school, on California Avenue.
We’ve also heard from organizers at Denny International Middle School, who asked us to share this:
This Wednesday, March 19, please join staff, students, and family/community members at Denny International Middle School at 7:15 AM (prior to school starting) in a Walk-In protest of potential cuts in funding to our public schools due to the dismantling of the US Department of Education. This will culminate at 7:35 AM with staff and students walking in to school in solidarity. Prior to the Walk-In, there will be chanting and conversations. School appropriate signs geared toward these cuts are welcome.
Denny is at 2601 SW Kenyon; WSHS is at 3000 California SW. Meantime, we’ll add to the list if we hear from any other schools.
ADDED MONDAY: We’ve also heard from Genesee Hill Elementary, which is planning “a walk-in event for March 19, starting at 7 AM. Staff, families, and students are all welcome to meet at the front of the school to rally for public schools. We are gathering to support our students and families. The rally will last about 25 minutes. We will walk around the school and into the playground.” GHES is at 5013 SW Dakota.
If you aren’t already booked for Friday night (March 14), you have an extra day to get discount tickets for a night of music, food, fun, and dancing (optional)! The deadline for $30 tickets to Friday night’s Big Band Dinner Dance at West Seattle High School, starring the West Seattle Big Band (which started at the school), has been extended to today.
There will be music provided by the whole music program, dinner prepared by our very own Culinary Arts program, a silent auction, dancing, and the wonderful West Seattle Big Band directed by Jim Edwards.
Proceeds benefit the whole music program at WSHS!
TICKETS:
Dinner & Dance tickets: $30 when pre-purchased (by March 13th); $35 at the door (if available)
Dance only tickets: $10Ticket link through today: wsmusicanddrama.org/bbdd
Two updates on the Alki Elementary construction (on the site of the old school, 3010 59th SW):
ABOVE-GROUND CONSTRUCTION: Two weeks ago, we mentioned the slab pour. That paved the way – literally – for the framing, which is visible from outside the construction fencing, as our photo shows. You can get an on-site view from the project webcam.
ADDED: Here’s a view from above, courtesy of Don Brubeck:
PLAYGROUND CONCEPTS: Seattle Public Schools project spokesperson Tina Christiansen told us the project website has just been updated with a preview of the play equipment that’s in the works for the city-owned playground on the north side of the school (south side of Alki Playfield). Here’s one of the boards you’ll see at that link:
Alki Elementary is scheduled to move into the new school for the 2026-2027 school year, and SPS says the playground should be complete in “early-to-mid-2026,” in collaboration with Seattle Parks.
A quick reminder that if you’re interested in studying at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – whether seeking a degree or certificate, or a continuing-education class – tomorrow’s the day to visit. 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Tuesday (March 11), you’re invited to SSC’s annual Discover Open House. The college will offer campus tours, program presentations, opportunities to speak with faculty and advisers, plus information on admissions, financial aid, and other student resources. You can RSVP here. Know before you go – review options here, from career training, college transfer, and applied bachelor’s degrees, to short-term training and personal enrichment courses. SSC is on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, at 6000 16th SW.
(WSB video)
That’s the West Seattle Big Band at December’s Admiral Church concert. Your next chance to see/hear/dance with them is Friday at West Seattle High School and you have three more days to buy advance discount tickets – here’s the announcement:
We are excited to invite you to our 13th annual Big Band Dinner Dance on Friday, March 14th! There will be music provided by the whole music program, dinner prepared by our very own Culinary Arts program, a silent auction, dancing, and the wonderful West Seattle Big Band directed by Jim Edwards.
Dust off those dancing shoes (or not … dancing is optional) and get yourself tickets to one of the best events of the year!
Proceeds benefit the whole music program at WSHS!
TICKETS:
Dinner & Dance tickets: $30 when pre-purchased (by March 12th); $35 at the door (if available)
Dance only tickets: $10
WSHS is at 3000 California SW.
(2024 West Seattle 5K – photo by David Hutchinson)
It’s official! The West Seattle 5K will bring runners and walkers to the beach on May 18, and registration is open now! Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle High School PTSA, staff, and students are excited to announce the return of the annual West Seattle High School 5K on Sunday, May 18, 2025. All profits raised from the West Seattle 5K are used by the PTSA to fund classroom supply needs and student-led initiatives, as well as a monthly staffed Saturday Study Hall that benefits an average of 100 students each session.
Thousands of runners and spectators from all corners of Puget Sound and beyond have participated in this 5K in the past 15 years. In 2024, we had 1,570 participants, a 27% increase over the previous year, and we raised over $42,000 for West Seattle High School PTSA! Participants are drawn to the event by the family fun, the gorgeous scenery, a flat and fast course starting and finishing at the Alki Bathhouse, and all the amenities that Alki Beach has to offer. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in many categories.
(2024 West Seattle 5K – photo by Lynn Hall)
Coming back for a third year is a friendly competition among West Seattle High School students. The goal is to see which grade and/or club gets the most classmates to register. The winning grade or club gets out of Homeroom early for a special treat and cash ($250) to their grade level ASB. “We have heard from event runners that they didn’t know this event benefited the high school so we want to make sure to raise that awareness as well as get as many high schoolers involved as possible,” says Kelley O’Connor, event co-chair. Be sure to select your grade and club when registering.
“As you know, Seattle Public Schools is facing an enormous budget shortfall and limited funding for the programs we know our students need,” says WSHS PTSA president Holly Rikhof. “The WSHS PTSA is dedicated to funding the academic and classroom support we have long taken for granted at West Seattle High School. Until 2023, our students benefited from a levy that funded a robust tutoring program, including school-day, after-school, and Saturday tutoring. This year, we have been able, through your generous donations, to fund a monthly staffed Saturday Study Hall that benefits an average of 100 students each session, classroom supply needs and student-led initiatives.”
There are buttons on the registration page to donate to the 5k if you’d rather sleep in that morning or don’t wish to run/walk. This is a community neighborhood high school and we hope residents will feel generous in supporting the school and local students. This is a fun way to directly give back!
Registration is live now at westseattle5K.com and getmeregistered.com/WestSeattle5K
Pricing:
-Adults are $40 (5/10 raises to $45)
-Youth 19 and under are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
-West Seattle High School students are $20 (5/10 and later is $30)
-West Seattle High School staff is free (need passcode and can buy shirt for $15)
-Kids under 6 are free (no shirt included, but can buy for $15)We have amazing sponsors to thank: West Seattle Runner, Dragonfly, Sea Pines Physical Therapy, Neighborhood Natropathic, The Joint Chiropractic, Northup Fundraising, Punch Drunk, West Seattle Blog, and so many more. Please go to www.westseattle5k.com to see all sponsors!
The West Seattle PTSA is a 501c3 non-profit Parent, Teacher and Student Association of West Seattle High School. We provide parent education, opportunities for families to connect to the school community, and support for education through fundraising and advocacy.
Questions and sponsorship inquiries, please email: westseattle5k@westseattle5k.com.
WSB has been a West Seattle 5K co-sponsor since the very first one in May 2009!
It’s fundraising season for many school groups and other nonprofits. Among them, the Gatewood Elementary PTA, which has just launched an online auction this morning – anybody can bid. The parent who let us know about this points out, “With the significant budget cuts facing Seattle Public Schools, the support of the West Seattle community is more important than ever.” If you skim the auction site, you’ll see a wide variety of items up for grabs, including tickets, gift cards, memberships, more. Here’s the link to browse and/or bid! The auction is open for a week, leading up to the PTA’s in-person fundraiser a week from tonight.
The photo and report are from teacher Alan Blackman at Denny International Middle School, who brought special guests to the school library today:
(Dawa, Marcus, and Geordan from the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle)
Today, scholars at Denny International Middle School were joined by members of the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, an organization which honors the legacy of African American military veterans from 1866 until 1951. Our presenters shared information about the history of Black soldiers in the military, embodied by the motos “Ready and Forward,” and “We Can, We Will!” The Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle also spoke about the programs they offer to young people, from day camps to equine therapy. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from this fantastic organization!
Local students looking toward college have four weeks to apply for scholarships offered by the Rotary Club of West Seattle. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
West Seattle Rotary Scholarships – Applications Due April 1st!
High school seniors in Seattle — don’t miss this opportunity! The Rotary Club of West Seattle is offering two scholarships to help students pursue higher education.
The Gambriell Scholarship
Open to students across Seattle, with preference given to West Seattle residents and those facing financial hardship. This scholarship supports students who may not otherwise be able to attend college.
The Past Presidents’ Scholarship
Applicants must either reside in West Seattle or graduate from a West Seattle area school this year.
Go here for application information: westseattlerotary.org/scholarships
For questions, students can reach out to Gina Topp at gina@topp.law.
(WSB photo, looking southwestward toward school and flagpole from 34th/Myrtle)
In our windstorm coverage last Tuesday, we mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe School had closed SW Myrtle between 34th and 35th – usually just a school-hours closure – because the stability of its flagpole was in question. The street has remained closed, and taped off, since then, while OLG determined whether the flagpole had to come down. Tonight, we checked back in, and the answer is “yes.” Dave from OLG tells WSB, “The pole needs to be taken down and we think that will occur on Thursday or Friday, and we will open the road at that point.” He says the flagpole eventually will be replaced.
Thinking about continuing your education – with a class, or a full certificate/degree program, or other career pathway? South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is ready to show you what’s possible! Here’s the announcement of next week’s open house, and more:
South Seattle College will open its doors to prospective students and their families on Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM for its annual Discover Open House. There will be campus tours, program presentations, opportunities to speak with faculty and advisors and more. Information on admissions, financial aid and other student resources will also be provided. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP. Learn more about the Discover South Seattle College Open House.
Located in the Puget Ridge neighborhood of West Seattle, South Seattle College offers a variety of opportunities to help our community members reach their educational and career goals. Options at South include career training, college transfer and applied bachelor’s degrees, plus short-term training and personal enrichment courses.
The open house is part of the Discover Seattle Colleges events series happening March 3-13. The first series includes four online events exploring academic programs and career pathways at Seattle Colleges (including South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College). Furthermore, those interested in apprenticeships and skilled trades can attend the Discover South Seattle College Georgetown Open House on March 12. The Georgetown Campus Open House will also feature a Clean Water, Sustainable Building, and Green Jobs Symposium, hosted in collaboration with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks – Wastewater Treatment Division and South Seattle College’s Sustainable Building Science Technology program. Interested participants are invited to attend all events. See the full schedule and sign up at seattlecolleges.edu/discover.
An arts program serving two schools has just extended its fundraiser – here’s the donation invitation we were asked to share with you:
(Photo courtesy Jaeney Hoene)
Support Denny-Sealth Performing Arts!
We are inviting all community members to use the Snapraise links below to support the performing arts at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School. Our amazing performing arts programs need your support to provide coaching, instruments, uniforms, maintenance and repair, and performance/competition opportunities for students.
We just passed the $10,000 mark with a goal of $15,000. Help us reach our goal!
Last day to contribute is Tuesday, March 11!
Denny International Middle School – https://raise.snap.app/donate/denny-middle-school-music-booster-2025
Chief Sealth IHS – https://raise.snap.app/donate/chief-sealth-intl-music-booster-2025
If you are a local business or community member wondering how you can support our programs directly, please contact DSPA co-chairs, Mary Wiener (mary_r_wiener@yahoo.com) and Jaeney Hoene (jaeney@me.com)
Before we get to what’s happening today/tonight, here’s a note about a chance to learn life-saving lessons this Thursday night at West Seattle High School:
Please RSVP at the following link: Forefront Parent Night RSVP
RSVP is recommended, not required. Questions? Contact School Counselor Mallory Neuman at mlneuman@seattleschools.org
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Realty’s Kevin Broveleit)
That was just part of the crowd filling the West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) front-room event space last night, as Madison Middle School presented the first of two “community poetry salons.” Dozens of students presented poems they’d memorized. Educator Robin Russell described it as “a celebration of both poetry and the tenacity it takes to excel at the skill of memorization and the art of recitation.” We were there for part of the salon and recorded a sampling of student readings, with poems both contemporary and classic:
If you weren’t part of last night’s overflow crowd, good news – they’re doing it again in two weeks, at 2 pm Sunday, March 16. West Seattle Realty is on the ground floor of the Admiral Station Apartments, across from Hiawatha, at 2715 California SW.
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen)
Chief Sealth International High School‘s athletics program had a lot to celebrate at last night’s Winter Sports Banquet!
First, a signing ceremony celebrating CSIHS’s flag-football star Eleana Lee, who’s already been honored with the new Maxwell Award as the best player in the state, and was Metro League MVP. The sport isn’t offered at every school, noted coach Kyler Gaither, but she’s signed with the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes. Her proud family was there to celebrate, too:
Sealth athletic director Ernest Policarpio gave a recap of the school’s winter success, including the achievements by a girls’ wrestling program that, as he described it, has become a “dynasty” with 6 Metro championships he recounted other championships and state contenders too:
The Seahawk Awards were presented to one outstanding student-athlete in each sport, recognized as outstanding scholars as well as for their leadership on the field or court.
Those winners are (including the seven in our photo): Ryan Nguyen for boys’ swim/dive, Owen Wright for boys’ wrestling, Keimani Proctor-Mills for girls’ basketball, Chase Valdez for boys’ basketball, Evie Nelson for girls’ bowling, Petra Sheppard for girls’ wrestling, Eleana Lee for flag football, Ryan Tran for cheer.
Also presented: the new “Above and Beyond” Awards:
These went to Micah Policarpio for boys’ wrestling, where he took second in state; Xavier Nguyen, also a wrestler, who took third in state; Lucy Self, girls’ wrestling, who took third in state; Gianna Moore, gymnastics, who competed at state; Dominic Milanese, boys’ swimming; and Karen Chiem, flag football.
Next up for local high-school athletes – the spring sports season, starting in March!
Today we’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors, Academy Schools. New WSB sponsors get the opportunity to tell you about themselves – here’s the message from Academy Schools:
Unlock Your Child’s Potential at Academy Schools!
Looking for a school that truly understands your child’s unique learning needs?
Academy Schools is a small, independent PK-12 school in Tukwila, dedicated to serving both neurotypical and neurodiverse students in a personalized, supportive environment.
Since 1997, we have believed that every child deserves an education tailored to their strengths — because learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. With small class sizes, flexible instruction, and a student-centered approach, we empower students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our inclusive community supports students with:
-ADHD
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-Sensory Processing Challenges
-School Trauma & School Refusal
-Anxiety & Emotional Needs
At Academy Schools, we go beyond traditional education — no rigid state mandates, no unnecessary testing — just real learning that meets your child where they are.
Now Enrolling for Fall 2025!
Visit academyschools.org/contact or call us at 206-588-0860 to schedule a visit today.
Academy Schools – Where Every Student Matters.
We thank Academy Schools for choosing to advertise their program by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Call or text 206-293-6302.
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