By GG President Doug Whalley (’63)
No GG Luncheon this Year
Despite our desire to have a Golden Grads Luncheon in June 2022, the Board concluded that most members would still be very reluctant to attend. We are the vulnerable generation and must be more cautious than our children or grandchildren. In addition, we did not want to follow up a gathering by having to alert all the attendees that a server or guest tested positive for Covid.
Roosevelt’s 100th Anniversary and The Wall of Honor
As noted in last Fall’s Grapevine, plans are underway to celebrate Roosevelt’s centennial, led by the Roosevelt Foundation. The Golden Grads are working with them on planning an event at the school for the Spring of 2023. A highlight will be the unveiling of a Roosevelt “Wall of Honor”, identifying 100 outstanding Roosevelt graduates, teachers, or staff who deserve special recognition.
We want your recommendations for candidates.
The criteria for being chosen will be based on their professional achievements, service to society, support and service to Roosevelt High School, and advancement of racial, gender, or religious equality. The best candidates will meet at least two of those categories. Outstanding Roosevelt athletes already have recognition on the Sports Hall of Fame, but those that also served society outside of their sport are eligible for the Wall of Honor. Look for a nomination form on the Roosevelt Foundation or Golden Grads Facebook pages, or on their websites RooseveltFoundation.org; RHSGoldenGrads.org. Form is also on the emailed versions of the Grapevine.) Particularly important is identifying eligible candidates who we did not know graduated from Roosevelt, or well-known graduates whose humanitarian activities were not previously recognized. Two such people are listed below:
Mildred “Milly” Logg Woodward, Class of 1937
With her husband Walt, Milly Woodward published the small Bainbridge Review newspaper.
During World War II they were among the few editors who were outspoken in opposing the
mass incarceration of Japanese Americans and in supporting Japanese Americans from
Bainbridge Island who were forcibly removed to Manzanar and Minidoka. Throughout the
war, the Woodwards engaged Nisei from Bainbridge to write regular dispatches to the Review
from the concentration camps, despite local opposition, threats, and subscription
cancelations. A school on Bainbridge is named for the Woodwards. The newspaper editor in
David Guterson’s book Snow Falling on Cedars is based in part on Milly and Walt Woodward.
Anthony Ray, Class of 1981
Grammy winner Anthony L. Ray, better known as Sir Mix-a-Lot, is a rapper, songwriter, and
record producer, best known for his 1992 hit “Baby Got Back”. Although he lived in south
Seattle, he was bussed to Roosevelt as part of Seattle’s effort to integrate the school system.
For him, it was a good experience. “I didn’t have the luxury of living in a neighborhood where
a good school was. We didn’t make that kind of money. So, from my perspective, it was the
best thing that could have happened to me.” In 2020, he promoted and participated in a virtual
concert for coronavirus relief and racial justice that raised over $55 million. He also led other
local artists to raise a COVID-19 relief fund for small, independently owned music venues
across the state.