(Photo courtesy Ethan Thomas)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

When Ethan Thomas first learned he had been awarded a $10,000 grant, he didn’t believe it.

“One of the counselors saw it on the news and mentioned it to me in passing,” the West Seattle High School band teacher said, “I thought she was mistaken, but she sent me and my colleague Taylor Fritts the news article link. I was astonished when I found out I won.”

As we reported one month ago, the grant was awarded as part of the Manilow Music Project, a program organized by award-winning musician Barry Manilow. Last month, Manilow performed at Climate Pledge Arena for the last time, as a part of his final tour, titled “The Last Concerts.” At each stop along the tour, community members have been invited to vote for their favorite music teacher, with nominated teachers receiving grants to help support their music programs.

We followed up with Thomas to find out his plans for the grant.

$10,000 may seem like a lot, but according to Thomas, music programs are costly. “Depending on the year and the SPS budget,” he said, “my colleague and I receive around $300 from the district to run our entire music program.” Typically, this amounts to roughly one dollar per student. Instead, West Seattle depends primarily on community support through bi-annual fundraisers, which usually raise about $20,000. This money goes towards new music, instrument repairs, band trips, uniform expenses, and scholarships for all three band programs. For some context, the cost of a single Alto Saxophone ranges between $600 to $2,500, and a single High School band can consist of anywhere between 50 and 150 members.

Fortunately for Thomas, the Manilow Music Project has a deal with online music retailer Sweetwater, which gives them special pricing on instruments, and there are no spending or time stipulations on the grant. This means they’ll be able to spend it on anything they need. Currently, one of West Seattle High School’s most pressing needs is a new tuba, which can often cost upwards of $6,000. They’re also considering buying a new bass, which is similarly expensive.

“We want our programs to be equitable and accessible to all students, and owning an instrument can be a barrier for some,” Thomas said. “We want to be able to provide students with a quality instrument that they can borrow from the school for free. … Without that money from the Manilow Music Project, we would be responsible for raising all the money for those purchases on our own. We are certainly grateful to the Manilow Music Project for supporting music programs in the cities they visit.

“I am so very grateful to work in the WSHS community,” concluded Thomas, who has been West Seattle High School’s band director since 2012. “It is humbling to think that enough people voted for me to win this award. I am very thankful for my students, their families, and those in our community that voted for me and their faith in me as a Music teacher.”

(WSB file photo)

As reported here last night, today’s special meeting of the Seattle Public Schools Board included consideration of the plan to in essence vacate the former Roxhill Elementary – now “Roxhill Annex” – building at 9430 30th SW, by moving its two programs to new locations. Board members gave their unanimous approval tonight to moving the Southwest program of alternative high school Interagency Academy to Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ North Delridge HQ (a former location of the program) and moving BRIDGES, which is for young adults living with disabilities, to the Chief Sealth International High School campus. The reason for vacating the building was described as “issues with the facilities,” without elaboration; as we reported previously, the agenda document made mention of “safety” issues. Board member Liza Rankin wondered why the programs were moved to the Roxbury/30th building in the first place, considering that it had been considered unfit for its previous program, an elementary school (moved to the renovated EC Hughes Elementary building in Sunrise Heights in 2018). Board member Michelle Sarju expressed concern about the plan to move BRIDGES to portables at CSIHS, seeking reassurance that accessible bathrooms would be added to the program’s future portables before school started. Staffers couldn’t cite a date for completion of that work but said they’d look it up later. The plan for moving Interagency SW back to SWYFS apparently isn’t finalized yet either, as the status was described as “discussing a contract.” There was no presentation about nor discussion of the Roxhill building’s future; as we noted in our preview, the agenda document said simply, “The site is being evaluated for continued use for instructional purposes and is not recommended for closure at this time.” Since there was no mention of what that “continued use for instructional purposes” might entail, we’ll be following up with the district.

(WSB file photo)

Four weeks ago, we reported on Seattle Public Schools‘ plan to move two programs out of the former Roxhill Elementary building – now known as the “Roxhill Annex” – at 30th/Roxbury. At the time, the district wasn’t saying what the next step was, though it appeared to be moving quickly toward new homes in the coming school year for the two major programs that have been housed in the building for seven years. Now, the plan is going to the School Board. The agenda for a special board meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, July 30) has this item: “Approval of instructional site relocations for Interagency Academy and the BRIDGES Program from the Roxhill Annex.” It shines a little more light into this. First, it suggests that “safety” is the main reason for proposing the move, without elaborating. Second, it changes the plan for one program – Interagency Academy’s Southwest program is now to be moved to Southwest Youth and Family Services (4555 Delridge Way SW), which has housed Interagency students before, instead of the Columbia City location the district mentioned in June. BRIDGES, though, is still to be moved to the Chief Sealth International High School campus (2600 SW Thistle), which some have said is not appropriate because the program serves young adults past high-school age. Finally, the agenda document has a bit of updated information about the Roxhill building’s fate – it says, “The site is being evaluated for continued use for instructional purposes and is not recommended for closure at this time.” Tomorrow’s board meeting – which also includes the latest on the superintendent search – starts at 4:30 pm; the agenda explains how to watch, either in person or online/cable.

Thanks to concertgoers who sent the video, including John Severson, whose clip is above. It’s from last night’s Climate Pledge Arena concert with music legend Barry Manilow, who honored West Seattle High School music educator Ethan Thomas as the latest winner of a $10,000 grant from his Manilow Music Project, which the superstar singer said has given out $10 million to help buy instruments and cover other costs of music education. As you’ll hear Manilow explain in the video, they’ve been asking music students in cities on his concert tour to vote for music teachers to win the award. The award was first announced in a WSHS newsletter before school got out for the summer (thanks to the parent who forwarded it):

Congratulations to WSHS Band Director Ethan Thomas, who won the Barry Manilow Music Project’s Outstanding Music Teacher Contest! Mr. Thomas will be honored on July 12 during Barry Manilow’s Last Arena Tour. He will receive $5,000 in new instruments for the WSHS music program.

The award turned out to be $10,000!

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.)

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:

• Group Category: Leo Sewell (second from right) & Franklin Jansens (at right) 
• Individual Category:
  • 1^st: Nathalie Latterell (second from left) 
  • 2^nd: Franklin Jansens (at right)
  • 3^rd: Chloe Bonnici (at left)

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:

• Birtukan Weredekal – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam
• Salma Abdin – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam (Abdin credited her peers and teachers for encouraging her to write and share her uniquely “silly” poem, an ode to Chipotle Mexican Grill, which drew a big crowd response especially from like-minded Chipotle-loving fellow students)

Some of the poets performed as groups, in “two-voice” or “three-voice” style, and here are some videos of those:

• Greta Gardner and Elsa Elton – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam
• Violet Butler and Jayla Tran – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam
• Ellison Taylor, Chloe Bonnici and Nathalie Lattarell – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam (Bonnici and Lattarell also won individual awards for their performances)
• Franklin Jansens and Leo Sewell – Denny 2025 Poetry Slam (this video is short, due to some technical difficulties, but this duo won the “group category” for the night, and Jansens [left] also took home an individual award):

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.