All the News and Reminders from Your Secretary

by Cathie Hogue Huffman, ’63

Hello Golden Grads!

It’s time for The Elves to compile the Spring Grapevine.  Please let us know what’s new with you, how you spent the last few months, major and minor accomplishments, whatever you want to share.  Go ahead and brag about the wonderful weather where you are…those of us here in the rain will deal. The deadline for your input is March 29th but the Editor would appreciate it as soon as possible.  Send news to: janet@whalley.net

Meanwhile the students are busy!

The Jazz band is in the final 15 again at Essentially Ellington in New York May 9-11.  Garfield and Bothell are going as well making Washington the most represented state at this year’s competition. I have watched parts of the finals on Jazz at Lincoln Center website but cannot find details for this year’s event yet.

The Drama Department presented Chicago March 7-10 at the RHS Main Stage (Sorry for the late notice on this!) I know it was a smashing hit, though.

Tuesday May 21, at 7 pm the Spring Musical, Mean Girls will be presented free for Golden Grads (and “their kids, grandkids, whoever” according to Drama Teacher Ben Stuart).

The Thespys is an annual national competition for students in every aspect of theater.  Several Roosevelt students received “Superior” scores at the regional level which makes them national qualifiers.  Many received “Excellent” scores making them State Honorees in categories including Solo musical, Costume Design, Duet Musical, Duo Scene, Group Scene, Monologues, Musical Theater Dance and Playwriting.

That’s all for now. I hope you’re enjoying your Spring season, regardless of the weather! Stay tuned!

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 Spring Grapevine and send, or better, email to me by March 24. (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 on March 29 in order to get the Grapevine out before the luncheon. All your efforts are greatly appreciated!

And remember, Grapevines are sent out by email (preferred) or snail mail to members who are up to date on their dues. Now is the time to catch up if you haven’t sent your dues in yet.

Don’t miss the chance to hear all the news and see your classmates and friends!

The event is going to be at the Nile Country Club. There will be a guest speaker we all know (being invited as we speak) and a raffle for a basket of goodies. That’s where you and I come in. We are collecting fun and meaningful items to include in the basket. We’re planning on selling raffle tickets and drawing a winner from those purchased.

A social hour before the luncheon is planned for 11 am. Stay tuned as we get closer to the Luncheon. We’ll keep you informed as we go.

Fall 2023 President’s Report

by Doug Whalley ‘63

Happy 100th Birthday!

On August 27, 2023, over 1,000 grads and guests gathered at the school to celebrate Roosevelt’s centennial. Former governor Dan Evans spoke, along with several honorees on the Wall of Honor. The event was sponsored by the Roosevelt Foundation. Golden Grads volunteers staffed a table with GG membership forms and copies of our newsletter. I was on the committee that selected members of the Roosevelt Wall of Honor, honoring outstanding graduates, teachers, and staff. (Not all my candidates were selected, so don’t blame me if your favorite was omitted.) Details of the event and the complete list of those selected are in this report, but I will mention one important honoree: Golden Grads founder Jeanne DeFriel Gardiner, class of 1930.

The 2023 Luncheon Was a Success

Our first luncheon in three years was successful, with a large turnout at the Nile Golf and Country Club. Please consider volunteering to be the luncheon chair for next year.  Our longtime luncheon chair, Cindy Dack ’60, is retiring. She has done a great job and will be missed. Cindy and other board members are very familiar with what is required and will work with the new chair.

Roosevelt Athletic Boosters

 Athletic Boosters published an impressive newsletter covering Roosevelt’s sports teams for 2022-2023. We previously emailed the link to members but if you missed it, just search for Roosevelt Athletic Boosters, and click on the picture of the Go Riders Athletic Newsletter. There is more information about Roosevelt sports in this issue of the Grapevine. Although newspapers rarely report on high school sports today, you will be glad to know that Roosevelt is doing exceptionally well.

Re-evaluating the Requirements for Scholarship Winners

The GG Scholarship Committee is reviewing our criteria for selecting winners. Although financial need has always been listed as a factor, members felt it was often overlooked. Many of our past scholarship winners attended expensive private colleges where a $3,000 scholarship is relatively insignificant in the total cost. The Committee agreed to place a new emphasis on a family’s income, with the hope that our scholarships will significantly increase a family’s ability to pay for college.

Roosevelt Memorabilia

Occasionally donations of Roosevelt memorabilia are given to Golden Grads. I currently have Roosevelt banners, green and gold cones and pom-poms, and table place cards. They are available for you to borrow for class reunions or any RHS alumni functions.

Time for the fall Grapevine!

by Cathie Hogue Huffman, ’63

Hello All –
I hope you’ve all weathered whatever weather came your way over the summer.  It sounds like everyone had something unusual…maybe suitable for sharing in the next Grapevine!  News about trips, events and just “catch up” stories are also fun to read.  That being said…

The deadline for news you want to share in the Grapevine is September 8!!!  Please send stories to Janet@Whalley.net

The Roosevelt Athletic Booster Club has published its first Athletic Newsletter.  What a great way to catch up on all the sports.  They also mention the athletes’ RHS grad family members so take a peek and see who you might know!

The class of 1953’s 70th reunion is coming up Wednesday, September 13.  Check out the information on their website rhs53.com.  While you’re there you can also enjoy scenes from their 50th,  60th and 69th reunions!

The youngsters in the class of 1963 will have their 60th reunion Thursday, September 28th at the Nile Country Club from 11-3.  Please watch for RSVP info.

Have a great fall ,
Cathie Huffman

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. 

Membership Is due by January of each year.

Golden Grads members can enjoy the Centennial Celebration this Sunday, August 27, the free Golden Grads night at the Spring musical, and know they are contributing to scholarships and teacher’s wish list donations from Golden Grads. Your Grapevine Newsletter will also continue to be sent to paid-up members. Membership rates are: $20 for an individual annual member or $30 for a couple living in the same household. To become a lifetime member the cost is $300 for an individual lifetime member or $400 for a couple living in the same household.

Send in your stories now!

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 Editor right away.  It’s easy to do.  Just a few sentences will be fine!

Address your email to janet@whalley.net or your Class Representative. Class Representatives are listed in every Grapevine. Remember, Grapevines are sent out by email (preferred) or snail mail to members who are up to date on their dues. Now is the time to catch up if you haven’t sent your dues in yet.

Spring 2023 President’s Report

by Doug Whalley ‘63

The Luncheon Returns

The Golden Grads Annual Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the Nile Golf and Country Club. It will be fun to meet with your classmates in person again, hear the latest news about the school, and enjoy some entertainment by the students. Please send in the registration form in this issue of the Grapevine.

Roosevelt’s 100th Anniversary and The Wall of Honor

The Roosevelt Foundation (a separate group from the Golden Grads) has announced the schedule for Roosevelt’s Centennial Celebration. The details are in this edition of the Grapevine. A highlight will be the unveiling of a Roosevelt “Wall of Honor” identifying outstanding Roosevelt graduates, teachers, or staff. I was on the selection committee, and it was a difficult process choosing among so many worthy candidates.

Kids Today

I spent a school day at Roosevelt recently as part of a career information program focusing on public service jobs. I met with seven different groups of about 15 students each and discussed working as a lawyer for the government. Although only a few seemed interested in a law career, they were all polite and attentive during our meeting and asked good questions. I also ate lunch with the students in the lunchroom. There is only one lunch period, so it was packed and noisy, but the students were obviously having a good time. I was impressed that there was no yelling, shoving, or bullying. There were several students with handicaps in the crowd, some in wheelchairs or walkers, and those who needed assistance were accompanied by a student volunteer aide to help them carry their lunch and find a seat.

College Scholarship Grant for Visual Arts Students

Roosevelt Golden Grads thank Don Strom ’64 and his wife, artist Jane LaFazio, for a generous donation of $5,000 to fund scholarships for graduating RHS seniors gifted in visual arts. The grant will fund one $1,000 scholarship annually for five years. An arts teacher or their designee will select one senior each year based upon their achievements in a visual arts field such as watercolor, mixed media, art quilts and similar fields. Winners will be going on to university, college, or art school, and ideally, they would be pursuing a visual arts field. Thank you, Don and Jane.

Thank you to Katie Greve and Ben Stuart of the Roosevelt Theatre and Dance Department

Golden Grads are invited to a May 30th preview of the 100th Anniversary Spring Musical Celebration. Details are in this Grapevine. It is a free event, with no reservations needed. Prior to the pandemic, the Golden Grads and their guests were invited every year to the Spring Musical preview. It is a great opportunity to see the school, especially its beautiful theatre, and enjoy one the finest high school musical programs in the country.

Be True to Your School

Our current group of officers and committee members has been largely unchanged for several years. I am pleased they have served so long, but we always need younger grads from the late 60s and early 70s on our committees as members retire. There are very few in-person committee meetings each year. Beginning next fall, we will resume two Board meetings a year at the school for committee chairs and class representatives, but attendance is not mandatory. Please contact me to volunteer.

Check Your Spring Grapevine for All the Exciting News

by Cathie Hogue Huffman, ’63

Welcome to all of you who are new members of Golden Grads and thanks to all of you who have renewed your membership in 2023.

The Golden Grads website, rhsgoldengrads.org, (you’re looking at it) has LOTS of information you can look up.  Are you wondering who are members and where your classmates might be?  It’s here.  How about the RHS calendar … check what’s there.

The class of 1953’s 70th reunion is coming up Wednesday, September 13.  Please see the Spring Grapevine for details and follow the information on the website rhs53.com.  While you’re there you can also enjoy scenes from their 50th and 60th reunions on the Reunions page!

The youngsters in the class of 1963 will have their 60th reunion Thursday, September 28th at the Nile Country Club from 11-3.  Please watch for RSVP info.

The Golden Grad Luncheon is June 21st.  Further registration information will be in the Grapevine or print out this registration form and mail in with payment 

MEANWHILE AT ROOSEVELT

The Jazz Band is again going to the Essentially Ellington Festival where they will compete in the finals May 11-13th.  This website (https://www.jazzlive.com/essentially-ellington-23) will take you to the festivals page and links where you can see the students perform.  Bothell and Garfield are also in the finals.

There is a  great article in the Seattle Times about  Hannah Mowry who took over as band director after Scott Brown’s retirement last spring. See it at https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/roosevelt-high-schools-new-band-director-smashes-jazzs-glass-ceiling/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_inset_1.1

Cinderella is the Spring Musical and is presenting a Golden Grads Night performance (it’s FREE) at 7 pm May 30th.  This event is always special!

I hope you’re enjoying your Spring season, regardless of the weather!

Cathie Huffman