Report by Golden Grads President Doug Whalley
The 35th Annual Golden Grad Luncheon was held June 7, 2017 at Sand Point Country Club and it was very successful despite a parking conflict with a golf tournament scheduled at the same time. (Extra golf carts were pressed into service to transport grads.)
Roosevelt orchestra members performed as guests arrived.
Master of Ceremonies Rick Keating (’64) introduced the classes of 1947 (70th anniversary), 1957 (60th), and 1967 (50th). Ten students received college scholarships for academic excellence from our endowment funds, including a $1,000 RHS Spirit Award supplementing the GG scholarship award for the student who contributed the most to Roosevelt. The Class of 1963 sponsored this year’s Spirit Award, and the Classes of 1951 and 1953 will sponsor it in 2018.
The Class of 1962 again raised $1,000 in scholarship funds to honor a former teacher, this year Dr. Earl Prebezac.
In a special presentation, three Roosevelt Robotics Team members (all female) showed us their award-winning robot. They did not actually turn it on, since they were worried it would rip up the carpet. Luckily, we did not have to face that problem when we were in school.
We were excited to welcome new principal Kristina Anderson Rodgers, who is not only a Roosevelt alum but also the daughter of alums Bill (’65) and Nancy Ford Anderson (’66). Kristina was formerly an assistant principal at Roosevelt. Brian Vance, who has been an outstanding principal for over ten years, is moving to West Seattle High School.
At the luncheon he thanked the Golden Grads for their support, and told Rick Keating he would not surrender his honorary Roosevelt diploma. The former West Seattle principal is moving to Lincoln High School. Yes, that Lincoln High School. They’re back!