Apr 03
The 2020 RHS Spring Musical will be based on the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, and the Golden Grads free performance will be the Dress Rehearsal on May 19,2020, it was announced Nov 2, 2019 at the “Light Up the Stars” Dinner Theater and Auction.
Apr 01
THERE’S NOT MUCH TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW! ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ARE CLOSED, AND ALL EVENTS CANCELLED!
BUT GOLDEN GRADS IS ON FACEBOOK
Do you want to keep up with what’s happening with Golden Grads? Then look at our Facebook page – “Roosevelt Golden Grads” – for information about RHS alums and the high school.
Apr 01
By GG President Doug Whalley (’63)
We all feel very vulnerable, and I can only hope that you are safe and well. In March, Golden Grads officers and committee chairs voted unanimously to cancel the June 3rd Spring Luncheon. Although we couldn’t predict what restrictions would be in place in June, we needed to make an early decision about the luncheon to avoid confusion. We also anticipated that many members would stay home even if attendance was possible. We have become the cautious generation.
. . . and every other school in the State. All Washington public and private schools are closed because of the coronavirus epidemic. Two weeks before the schools closed, Roosevelt staff contacted Golden Grads with a request:
I’m writing to request support of some necessary supplies for the library and the main office in an effort to prevent the spread of colds, flu and the recent COVID-19 virus. Both the library and main office are central points of interaction in the school, and experience considerable potential for transmission of bacteria and viruses. We’re in need of tissues, Lysol wipes and 32 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer. The district recommends these items but does not supply them.
Of course, our Teacher’s Wish List Committee immediately confirmed we would fund the request. The school received the items the next day, and for the two weeks that they remained open they were better able to cope with the epidemic. Anything not used up will be available when they reopen. I find it interesting that the funding came from the Golden Grads, the people most vulnerable to the virus, but we are all safer when our neighbors’ kids or our own grandkids do not bring the virus home from school.
Antonia Filigno Clark ’53, Merit Scholarship Chair, and Jeri Mortensen Kronmal ’60, Special Scholarships Chair, are working with the school to make sure the winners are selected, and our scholarships are awarded. Interviews for Merit Scholarships will be conducted online. In addition to the special request for health supplies discussed above, the Teachers’ Wish List Committee, chaired by Marilyn Meyer Sizer ’63, had completed approval of all their grants. However, if teachers were unable to spend the money for supplies or programs before the closure, the committee will work with them in the Fall and fund those requests that are still needed.
Last Fall I was contacted by Diane Cain Fiduccia, Class of 1962. She is a trustee of the James and Grace Cain Charitable Foundation established by her parents. Diane announced a $10,000 donation to Golden Grads from their Foundation, which will allow us to grant two additional college scholarships this year, for a total of twelve. Thank you, Diane! The process of selecting students and awarding the scholarships this year is impacted by the school closure, but Scholarship Chair Antonia Filigno Clark ’53 has stayed in contact with school counselors and her committee is working to keep the scholarship program on track.
Welcome to Jean Druby Birdsall ’64, who started last Fall as our Finance Chair, replacing the retiring Jerry Walton ’60, and to Carol Koppel Hutchinson ‘63, our new Membership Records coordinator, replacing Judy Flournoy Harwood ‘51. Both Jerry and Judy served for many years, and their service to Golden Grads is greatly appreciated. Our officers work amazingly well together because of our shared passion for Roosevelt.
You may have noticed that some people today do not use checks, instead relying on credit cards and electronic money transfers. In the Spring issue of Grapevine, we discuss how to pay your dues or give donations using a credit card.
Oct 03
Golden Grads officers, class secretaries, and committee chairs to meet at the RHS Alumni Room located acress from the Main Office.
Sep 20
By GG President Doug Whalley (’63)
Golden Grads is not the only group supporting Roosevelt. The RHS Foundation is a major source of outside funding for the school’s needs. Their website describes their history. The Foundation has a paid staff member and does extensive fundraising, including sponsoring an annual Spring golf tournament at Sand Point. They do not fund scholarships, but each year our Teacher’s Wish List Committee meets with the Foundation, the PTA, and school officials to coordinate which group will fund requested grants. The Foundation is by far the largest donor and deserves recognition and support for their work. (Janet and I donate every year.) Since 2003, The Roosevelt Foundation has provided an amazing $800,000 to the school for programs, books, computer equipment, musical instruments, and all the other needs of a modern high school.
In contrast to the Roosevelt Foundation, I hope you appreciate that the Golden Grads do not conduct fundraisers, do not have a paid staff, and do not solicit donations other than through passive requests in our newsletters.
We have endowment funds that help, but we depend on several other sources to sustain or expand our scholarships and teacher grants. First, your membership dues, especially life memberships, are a significant part of our budget. You can help us by renewing each year and by convincing your classmates to join. Second, we rely on unsolicited donations prompted by simply your love of Roosevelt, and not raised through golf tournaments, charity auctions, or letters and phone calls.
Third, and a growing source of funds, are donations funded by groups of classmates to honor a teacher or classmate. This includes donations raised at class reunions, like the Class of 1964’s recent substantial gift to Golden Grads. Finally, almost yearly we receive a bequest left to Golden Grads by a deceased member. However you give, thank you for your generosity. It is a good cause.
Janet and I have attended the free Golden Grads night of the Roosevelt Spring Musical for many years and wonder why more GG members and friends do not take advantage of this great opportunity. Please join us next Spring and fill the auditorium.
The newly remodeled Lincoln High welcomes students this Fall for the first time since 1981. Students in the Lincoln attendance area that formerly would have become freshmen or sophomores at Roosevelt will attend Lincoln, while incoming juniors and senior can remain at Roosevelt if they wish.
See full report in the Fall 2019 Grapevine.
Jun 10
The Golden Grads 37th Annual Luncheon was great fun, thanks to hard work by Chair Cindy Dack and her crew of volunteers. Over 120 members and guests enjoyed good food and good company at the Nile Country Club north of Seattle. We voted to accept the budget and the slate of officers. RHS students performed songs from the RHS musical, A Chorus Line. Assistant Principal Jessica Proctor updated us on the school, including the impact of Lincoln High’s re-opening next Fall. We heard from and congratulated Roosevelt Music Director Scott Brown, whose Roosevelt Jazz Band recently won 1st place at the Essentially Ellington national jazz competition in New York City. Finally, we met several of the 14 seniors receiving Golden Grad college scholarships this year.
May 10
By GG President Doug Whalley (’63)
This is the first Grapevine edited by Janet SAGE Whalley, ’64 (my wife). Janet replaces Lorraine HITT Carter, ’56, who retired after a very successful tenure. Janet was a childbirth educator for 35 years and the Executive Director of the Childbirth Education Association for 25 years. She is a co-author of the book, Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, now in its 5th edition, which has sold over 1.5 million copies. Janet was the one to help the publisher to edit and format each edition. A great background for her new job, although without the royalties.
If you have not visited Roosevelt High in a few years, you would be amazed at the changes in the area. The Light Rail Station off NE 65th is nearing completion, and apartment buildings are rising on the lots south of the school, replacing dilapidated homes (and unfortunately ruining the view of downtown Seattle from the school). The underground light rail system will connect the Roosevelt District with southbound trains to the University District, Husky Stadium, Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, SeaTac Airport, and further south. Northbound trains will soon travel to Northgate, Shoreline, and eventually Everett. Teachers and students will make use of the trains, hopefully helping the severe parking problem around the school.
In addition to thanking Lorraine Hitt Carter ’56 for her years of work on the Grapevine, Lisbeth Pisk ’49 retiring Chair of the Teacher’ Wish List committee deserves our thanks for her lengthy and successful term. I also appreciate Marilyn Meyer Sizer ’63 agreeing to take over as leader of that committee. Finally, a big thanks to Myrna Ferch Hillyer ’61 and her husband Pete, ’61 for their major donation described in the GG Board of Director’s report.
We are blessed with many members who contribute time to Golden Grads, but we could use a few more.
• Our Board position of Financial Committee Chair is open, and we need a CPA (or the equivalent experience) to step up and volunteer. The position is not time-intensive. It simply entails reviewing our budget estimates, investments, and expenditures, and attending at most four Board meetings a year, in person or by phone. (In other words, you could live in Palm Springs.) Treasurer Mike Bush is doing a great job, but good financial management requires a second person reviewing our finances.
• Several classes need a Class Representative. We changed the name from “Class Secretary” to make it clear that you would not be doing any paperwork. The job involves simply maintaining email contact with Golden Grad members from your class, then collecting and forwarding their news reports. If your class lacks a representative, please contact Anne Chichester Temple, ’63.
Apr 17
See this year’s Spring Musical, A Chorus Line, for free at the Golden Grads free performance at 7pm on Tuesday May 21, 2019 in the RHS Theatre. This will be the Mature Content version at the full-dress rehearsal and we are thrilled to be their audience for the night!
A Chorus Line was the longest running show in Broadway history in its time and won 9 Tonys including Best Musical as well as the rare-for-musicals Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
An all-ages HIGH SCHOOL EDITION performs Thursday, May 23 at 7:00pm, Saturday June 1 at 2:30pm, and Sunday June 2 at 2:30pm. The recommended for ages 13+ MATURE CONTENT version performs Friday May 24, Thursday May 30, Friday May 31, and Saturday June 1 all at 7:00pm. Tickets are available online or at the door.
Apr 15
The Spring Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 6 at 10:00 am in the Roosevelt Alumni Room at the High School. Principal Kristina Rodgers will speak to us during the meeting.
Don’t miss all the important info including Treasurer’s report by Mike Bush ’64, Secretary’s Report-Cathie HOGUE Huffman ’63, Scholarship Report-Antonia FILIGNO Clark ’53, and much more.
Apr 05
We hope to see you Wednesday, June 5th, 11:00 am, Nile Country Club, 6601 244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA ready to eat, drink, and be merry with all your friends from Roosevelt. Fill in and send the Luncheon Reservation form on pages 2-3 of your Grapevine with your payment of $32.00 per person to RHS Golden Grads, P.O. Box 281, Edmonds, WA 98020-0281 by Friday, May 31. Or click here and print out the form, fill out, and send in with your check.
Each attending member always has a place reserved with his or her class. The luncheon includes a short Business Meeting, Election of Officers and approval of the annual budget, not to mention the highlight of Scholarships and Awards to some wonderful 2018 graduates. RHS grads MUST BE current dues-paying GG Members to attend. If you haven’t yet paid, you can find and fill out the GG Membership and Donations form on the last page of your Spring Grapevine, or click here to download and print it, then send in with your membership payment to the address above. Guests or spouses of members are welcome.