West Seattle, Washington
21 Sunday
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:
WSHS will be hosting our 8th annual Forefront Suicide Prevention Parent Night, Thursday, March 6th, from 6-8 pm in the WSHS library. This parent night will focus on learning the stats and risk factors for teen suicide, as well as teaching parents active listening skills and how to listen to their teens with empathy. Preventing death by suicide is everyone’s job- from school staff to parents, friends and the community as a whole. WSHS has partnered with Forefront in the Schools to educate our entire West Seattle community on suicide and how we, as a team, play a role in prevention.
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.
(WSB file photo)
West Seattle High School cheer coach Nadine Nguyen asked us to share this announcement:
Are you ready to become a part of the State-Winning West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team? Now’s your chance.
Tryouts will be held in person the following days and times at WSHS:
March 6th- 4 pm-6 pm
March 7th 4 pm-6 pm
March 8th 8 am-TBDTo try out, you will need to fill out all online forms and provide a current Sports Physical.
We will also be hosting Cheer Clinics on March 4th @ 4 pm-5 pm
*For those interested in trying out for our State Winning Competition Team, you are invited to attend our Stunt Clinics where you will learn basic stunt skills.
Stunt Clinics are on March 5th @ 4 pm-6 pm
To participate in tryouts on March 6th – March 8th, Stunt Clinics, and the Cheer clinics, please bring a printed and signed copy of the following items below to the first day of the clinics/tryouts.
-Student Athletic Registration Form
-Signed Parent Waiver
-Up-to-date PhysicalThe Tryout application and required forms are available through the following link tree:
linktr.ee/WSHSCHEERFor tips and more information regarding tryouts, follow our Instagram @westseattlecheer
Good Luck and Go Wildcats!! For Questions, email: nmnguyen@seattleschools.org
Before the Our Lady of Guadalupe School (WSB sponsor) fundraising event this weekend, two things happening right now are open to everyone: First, now through Friday, you can bid in the school’s online auction, with items donated by local businesses and other supporters – gift cards, tickets, more. Second, both today and tomorrow (Wednesday, February 26), The Westy (7908 35th SW) is hosting a dine-out fundraiser for the school – use the code OLG and mention you’re supporting the school, and they’ll donate 15 percent of the proceeds. Though The Westy is a 21+ establishment for dining and drinking, you can get take-out for the whole family, and that can count toward the fundraiser too.
Despite the stormy weather, workers are on site today at the Alki Elementary rebuild project; Don sent the photo showing the concrete pour that’s under way. If you’ve passed the site in recent days and noticed the white tent-like structures, those have been part of the preparations for this. This is for the building’s ground floor; other work already been done includes foundation construction and piping for utilities including the building’s heating and cooling system. We asked the district about any other updates, and a spokesperson says, “The mass timber structure installation will begin in March.” The new school is expected to open in fall of 2026; staff and students will have been in temporary quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary site for three years by then. It’s been a year and a half since the old school was demolished; after demolition, the start of construction was on hold until an appeal was resolved.
(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)
At left, above, is Chief Sealth International High School wrestler Micah Policarpio, who took second in his division (190) at the just-completed state tournament. CSIHS reports head coach Maurice Dolberry‘s team finished 8th in the state and says they’re the highest-placing Seattle Public Schools team ever. Other top-ten finishers from Sealth are listed in their announcement as Lucy Self (3rd, 140), Xavier Nguyen (3rd, 150), Lanu Amituanai (5th, 145), Eli Policarpio (5th, 215), Alex Pando (7th, 175), and Xander Gomez (8th, 132).
P.S. You can find full brackets/results by starting here.
The West Seattle High School boys are the only local high-school basketball team still in the playoffs, after both Chief Sealth International High School teams lost win-or-go-home games tonight: The girls lost to/at Cedarcrest 51-37, while the boys lost to/at Lindbergh, 73-50. The WSHS boys play Garfield at 3:30 pm tomorrow (Friday, February 21) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) – winner to state, loser out.
Seattle Public Schools confirms today that Ray Garcia-Morales has officially resigned as principal of Chief Sealth International High School and from district employment. He resigned yesterday, according to this memo just circulated to the school community and provided to us moments ago by a district spokesperson:
Dear Chief Sealth International High School Community,
We are writing to share an important school leadership update with you.
Principal Ray Garcia-Morales has resigned from Seattle Public Schools effective Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The district appreciates Garcia-Morales’ dedicated leadership and service to students, staff, and the entire school community, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
Hope Perry will serve as the building leader for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will begin the process of searching for a permanent principal. Southwest Regional Executive Director of Schools Chris Carter will be supporting the CSIHS leadership team to ensure that students and staff are fully supported during this time.
Should you have any questions or concerns Executive Director Carter can be reached at cecarter@seattleschools.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ricardo Torres-Morales
Associate Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools
This was Garcia-Morales’s fourth school year as Sealth principal. His resignation Tuesday was exactly two weeks after the district announced Garcia-Morales was on leave after his arrest following a flipped-car crash at the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge (here’s our original coverage of that February 2nd crash). We’re re-checking the case files to see if anything more has happened
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Both Chief Sealth International High School basketball teams played must-win district-tournament games at home Tuesday night.
After the CSIHS girls’ basketball team’s tough loss to Foster High School in the opening round of the tournament, head coach Mario Martinez decided to play up-tempo ball from the initial possession of their game. The Seahawks deployed a full-court man-to-man press the entire first half and wreaked havoc on their opponent, the Lindbergh Eagles (Renton). Sealth forced multiple turnovers and kept Lindbergh from setting up their offense.
Lindbergh tried to stop Sealth’s Alysse Bland (above), but she had little problem shaking off defenders. Sealth’s smothering team defense, along with a couple of key three pointers from Bethel Bisrat and Keimani Proctor-Mills’ dynamic rebounding helped the Seahawks build a 29-20 lead at the half.
At the start of the second half, Sealth started racking up fouls that gave Lindbergh bonus free throws with over 3 minutes left in the third quarter. The free throws kept Lindbergh in the game as they cut Sealth’s lead to three heading into the 4th quarter. But Bland continued driving and scoring.
Presley Williams (above) drained two timely 3-pointers and the team iced the win 50-37. After the game, Coach Martinez was proud of the determination of the team. “If we keep playing with intensity and energy, we can make it through to the State tournament.” Next up for the Sealth girls is an away game at Cedarcrest High School in Duvall on Thursday at 7:00 pm.
Now to the boys’ game:
After a heartbreaking 69-68 loss to Renton High School on Saturday. the Sealth boys’ team played a must-win game in Tuesday night’s Class 2 District Tournament game against the Evergreen Wolverines from White Center.
After head coach Ja’Lyn Combs made an early adjustment to address Evergreen’s defensive press, the outcome of the game was never really in doubt. The Sealth boys combined outside shooting with effective inside play and led by a score of 32-24 at the half.
The Seahawks went on a quick run to start the 2nd half by forcing turnovers and making quick fast-break points. Sealth players repeatedly beat defenders to the basket and Chase Valdez (above) poured in buckets from the outside. By the end of the game, the Evergreen defense was worn down as the Seahawks notched an 83-57 win.
Chase Valdez led the team with 19 points and Taj Washington (above) contributed 13. The team moves on to play an away game on Thursday night at either Foster or Lindbergh.
Thanks for the reader report and photo! One of the local high-school teams that’s in postseason competition this year has qualified for state – the West Seattle High Schoolboys’ swimmers/divers:
Members of the West Seattle High School boy’ swim team are headed to State this week – February 20-22 @ King County Aquatic Center.
The boys are wrapping up a historically successful season for the WSHS Swim & Dive program, including going 7-1 in dual meets, sending all 25 swimmers to Metros and taking 5th overall, with 12 swimmers qualifying for and participating in 3A Districts this past week. In the season thus far, team records have been set in the 200 Medley, 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay, and sophomore Tom Wrenholt set team records in individual 100 Fly and 200 IM.
Swimmers advancing to State are the 200 Medley Relay team – Tom Wrenholt (10th – Backstroke), Nate Boehmer (11th – Fly) , Jacob Lee (12th – Breaststroke), and Mason Duffy (10th – Freestyle), and alternates Luca Conte (9th), Casey Laplante (10th), Ben Wrenholt (10th), and Mac Rysemus (11th). Tom Wrenholt also qualified individually and will be competing for the second year in a row in the 100 Backstroke.
Congrats to the team and their amazing coaches Karen Boehmer and Logan Rysemus for an awesome season, and good luck at State – Go, Wildcats!
Three of the varsity basketball teams from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School are still in the playoff picture. Here’s what’s next in district playoffs after this weekend’s games:
WSHS GIRLS: Their 56-49 loss to Mercer Island on Saturday was a “loser out” game.
WSHS BOYS: After last night’s 44-41 win over Roosevelt, they play Bellevue at Newport HS, 7:15 pm Tuesday.
CSIHS GIRLS: After Friday night’s 61-54 loss to Foster, they host Lindbergh at (updated) 5:30 pm Tuesday.
CSIHS BOYS: After a 69-68 loss to Renton on Saturday afternoon, they play Evergreen at 7 pm Tuesday.
(Sealth’s Keimani Proctor-Mills)
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Friday night, the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ basketball team played the opening game of the District 2A tournament against Foster High School (Tukwila) at the Sealth gym.
The Seahawks had to play without one of their leading scorers and shot blockers, as Fahima Mohamed was unavailable due to injury. Early in the game, the play was a bit sloppy as both teams turned the ball over repeatedly.
At the start of the 2nd quarter, Sealth’s Mackenna Mack (above) made some nice moves to get free underneath for a couple of quick buckets. But Foster was able to capitalize on some defensive lapses on the baseline and strong three-point shooting to take a 33-16 lead at the half.
Down by double digits, Sealth stepped up the defensive intensity in the second half. The Seahawks’ Alysse Bland (above) put on an offensive clinic, combining drives to the basket with deadly three-point shooting. Each time Sealth went on a run, Foster answered back with a clutch 3-pointer. Late in the game, Bland and Bethel Bisrat drained back-to-back three pointers to pull Sealth within 5 points of the lead, but the Seahawks ran out of time, losing by a final score of 61-54. Alysse Bland finished with 20 points, while Mackenna Mack and Hannah Mueller contributed 8 points each.
(Sealth’s Dajah Johnson)
The District Tournament has a double-elimination format. Head coach Mario Martinez‘s Metro-champion Sealth girls could still make the State Tournament by winning out in the consolation bracket. They will play again on Tuesday night at 7 pm at a location to be determined.
6:24 PM: Student-created pottery is part of what you’ll see if you visit Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) for tonight’s ArtsWalk, on until 8 pm. Visual and performing arts showcases are happening in multiple spaces until everyone gathers in the theater for the “grand finale” at 7:30 pm.
It’s also a fundraiser for the school’s arts programs. More to come!
ADDED: WSB’s Aspen Anderson stopped in for a little jazz …
And poetry:
The greeters were Coral Dixon, Lida Henrikson, and Ronin Mann:
The flags raised this morning outside Denny International Middle School had a first-ever addition – the Pan-African flag along with the USA and Washington State flags. The flag-raising was at the conclusion of a celebration featuring student speakers from three schools, organized by Keenen Allen Ladd, who facilitates the Kingmakers program at Denny. He began the celebration, introducing emcee Heyab Gebru, a Denny 8th grader:
Speakers in that section of the program included Denny 8th grader Eyob Mengesha, who declared, “What matters is that we stand together … it doesn’t matter if our family came here generations ago or a few years ago.” He was followed by Denny 7th grader Kh’Monni Wilson, who spoke about the stories of Black women, “too often … overlooked.” And Chief Sealth IHS 9th grader Surafel Hadgu read three poems.
In the next section, featured speakers were Sealth 9th grader Ayub Ali – who spoke about being your true self, as reinforced by his time in the Kingmakers program, telling younger students to remember “your voices matter” – and Roxhill Elementary 5th grader Skye Kenard, who presented the Pan-African flag’s history.
Then a musical moment, with everyone invited to sing along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem:
The flag-raising concluded this first-ever celebration, and everyone got out of the 25-degree chill and into their classrooms.
In addition to the regular West Seattle Art Walk tomorrow night (Thursday, February 13), which we’ll be previewing later today, you’re invited to an ArtsWalk at Chief Sealth International High School, two hours full of student performances:
Chief Sealth IHS ArtsWalk
Thursday, February 13, 6:00-8:00Kick off your Valentine’s weekend with an evening of music, poetry, drama, and more music! Arrive at Chief Sealth anytime between 6:00 and 7:30, grab some refreshment, and wander from room to room, taking in band, choir, and orchestra ensembles, performance poetry, and drama improv, capped off at the end of the night by a finale in the auditorium! FREE Admission.
The school is at 2600 SW Thistle.
(WSB photo – Morgan Junction dropbox earlier tonight)
The voting is over and the first round of vote-counting is done.
First, the Seattle social-housing measure. So far “yes, fund it” is leading in a big way in the first part of this city measure, and in the second part, 1A – fund it with a new tax on companies with a certain salary size – is beating 1B, fund it by diverting part of an existing tax.
Proposition Nos. 1A and 1B – Seattle social-housing funding
Yes 64,220 68.32%
No 29,779 31.68%
Proposition 1A – 50,002 – 57.55%
Proposition 1B – 36,876 – 42.45%
Next, the Seattle Public Schools levies, both winning approval:
Proposition 1 – Educational Programs and Operations levy
Yes – 71,996 – 77.71%
No – 20,648 – 22.29%
Proposition 2 – BEX VI capital levy
Yes – 66,656 – 71.91%
No – 26,032 – 28.09%
All of those results reflect 19 percent of ballots; so far, King County Elections reports receiving 26 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots. Next results will be out Wednesday afternoon.
Last week’s weather led to cancellations/postponements of some of the Seattle Public Schools open houses and tours that were on the list we published recently, after hearing SPS hadn’t kept its own list this year. But now there are new dates, so we’ve made a new list of everything we know of that’s now yet to come:
LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW): Some new dates/times on the list:
Tuesday, February 11th @ 9:05 am — Elementary School Tour
Tuesday, February 11th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 9:05 am – Elementary School Tour
Thursday, February 13th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:00 PM
MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 13th @ 6:45 PM
Thursday, February 27th @ 9:05 am – Elementary Tour
Thursday, February 27th @ 10:30 am – Middle School Tour
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY (4320 SW Myrtle): Tours as originally scheduled:
Wednesday, February 12: Tours at 8:15 am and 6:30 pm
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY (7740 34th SW): Tour rescheduled from last Thursday:
Thursday, February 13 @ 9:00 am
CONCORD INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY (723 S. Concord, South Park): Rescheduled from last Thursday:
Thursday, February 13 @ 5-7 pm, open house with program demonstrations
FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY (3800 SW Findlay): Tour for incoming kindergarteners, as originally scheduled:
Tuesday, February 25 @ 5 pm
Anything to add/change? Please let us know – thank you!
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