A Successful 2025 Luncheon Because of our expert coordinators Ann Reid ’68 and Heidi Liniger Olson ’72, the Golden Grads Annual Luncheon was a great success. Our new location at the Seattle Yacht Club provided good food, easy parking, and a nice view of Lake Union. The location is also very convenient for our many members that still live in NE Seattle. A highlight was Pamela Katims Steele’s introduction of the scholarship winners — their achievements were amazing. Thanks also to Rick Keating ’64 for running the show and only insulting the President five or six times, and to our Board members who handled registration. Principal Tami Brewer spoke at the luncheon, one day before she was placed on leave. (See the next article.)

The Football Scandal In June the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) imposed penalties on Roosevelt for illegal football recruiting, including fines for Principal Tami Brewer and athletic director Danny Thompson. The Principal was placed on administrative leave by the Seattle School District. Last year the team had their best season in years, winning eight games before losing to Bellevue in the quarterfinals, but Roosevelt forfeited all games played in the last two seasons (2023, 2024). The team now has a one-year post-season ban. Any transfer student found to have provided false information to gain eligibility will be banned from athletic competition for one year.

RHS Interim Principal Ruth Medsker has been named Roosevelt’s “Interim Principal” this fall. She had previously served as principal at West Seattle High School.

Another Gift to Golden Grads from The Estate of Merle Stillson ’47 Roosevelt alum, Merle Stillson, passed away on September 28, 2023, at age 95. He included Golden Grads in his will among many other non-profit groups, friends, and family members. In Spring of 2024, we received $80,000 and recently received an additional $24,742 from his estate.

Golden Grads’ Web Site is Being Upgraded We are in the process of updating our Golden Grads website (https://rhsgoldengrads.org). We plan to enable GG members to pay their dues and donations online with a credit card and to send us their membership forms. Our wonderful Web Master, Ellen Brown Hewett ‘53, has been trying to retire for two years, but fortunately has stuck with it while we look for a replacement and streamline the site. The upgrade will allow her replacement to easily monitor the site without technical expertise, so please volunteer.  Board members provide all the information to be posted.

The RHS Class of ’25 In this issue, I write about the Roosevelt graduation ceremony that Janet and I attended at Seattle High School Stadium for our oldest granddaughter, Kate Whalley. Kate’s second cousin was also in the graduating class, making them the 12th and 13th members of our family to graduate from Roosevelt, starting with the Class of 1931. I know I brag about this all the time, but that is what this bully pulpit is for. Any complaints, and you will immediately be placed on the Golden Grads Board, possibly as president.

Recruit New Members! You likely stay in contact with many of your fellow Roosevelt graduates, so please encourage them to join Golden Grads. Our administrative expenses are very low, and most of the $20 membership fee supports college scholarships for deserving students and money for teachers’ needs that are not covered by the school district, like science equipment, special projects, books, and outings. Members also receive this spiffy newsletter. Where else could you find out that the 1956 Seafair Queen was a Roosevelt grad?

Just in from President, Doug Whalley:

The Golden Grads Spring 2025 Luncheon will be held June 10, 2025 at the Seattle Yacht Club. See all the details and sign-up information in the Spring Grapevine newsletter.

Mark your calendar now!

Start or renew Golden Grads membership today!

Print and complete the membership form (click on “membership form”) and print out and mail to RHS Golden Grads, PO Box 281, Edmonds, WA 98020-0281. You can add Credit Card instructions to the form or include your personal check in the envelope to pay your dues. 

Here’s how to see us on Facebook:
• Log in to your Facebook page.
• Type “Roosevelt Golden Grads” in the search
box at the top.
• Roosevelt Golden Grads will pop up as a choice.
• Click on us to see our page.
• Underneath the banner with our name, select
“Like” & “Follow”.
• Start reading our posts 

To see what else is happening this spring, go to one of the websites below:

• High School
• Jazz
• Drama
• Orchestra
• Bands

For More on RHS Jazz Bands click here or visit the Jazz Boosters Calendar Page. For RHS Orchestra click here. For RHS Roughriders Band information click the Riders Band site. And for Roosevelt Drama events click here.

More News from Your Secretary
by Cathie Hogue Huffman, 63

Hello Golden Grads!

(Compiled.) Once again, the elves have compiled the Grapevine and sent it out by email and snail mail to Golden Grads near and far. I hope you have all received your Spring Grapevine and are keeping up with news on the Golden Grads website (rhsgoldengrads.org).  You can also follow student activities/opinions/news in the school paper on Instagram @therhsnews! or at therooseveltnews.org.

The Jazz band was again invited to the Essential Ellington event at Lincoln Center. The Roosevelt Jazz Band is famous for Its outstanding Jazz music program.

Don’t forget Golden Grads free performance night at the Spring Musical May 20 at 7 pm. They invite Golden Grads to the final dress rehearsal as a thank you for our work. You can bring family and friends.

Happy Spring to everyone!

Cathie Huffman

by Grapevine Editor Janet Whalley

The Grapevine is much more interesting when you are in it!!!!! Try to scribble down some notes about what you’ve been doing or planning and send it to your Class representative or me as soon as soon as you can do so. It’s really easy to do.  Just a few sentences are fine!

Address your email to me at janet@whalley.net or your Class Rep as listed in the Grapevine. Class reps should solicit their classmates’ reports and/or compose a report to me for the next Grapevine and send, or better, email to me. (NOTE – Reports and articles received with GG Membership forms will be sent directly to me by the Membership Registrar to put into the appropriate class report section.) I need all reports and information by the deadline in order to get the Grapevine out on time. All your efforts are greatly appreciated!  Now is the time to catch up if you haven’t sent your dues in yet.