100 years of Garfield High School Memories
Maureen Hampton Kerschbaum
Class of 1964
One of my favorite Garfield memories happened during junior year when I was in the Fall Play. We were performing Ten Little Indians (now renamed And Then There Were None). I was one of the last two characters standing, the other being the killer. When he came towards me with a weapon I started screaming and trying to get out the door at the back of the set. They had to station three guys back there to keep me from getting out of the door. I was determined but they we successful!
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Being in the Fall Play both junior and senior years was a great experience. We had so much fun and I met people I never would have otherwise because the class was a mix of grades. It was also great fun because drama class was very informal much of the time so we had lots of time to get to know one another. Not that we didn’t work, because we did, but it was different than any class I took at Garfield.
Sheila Johnson
Class of 1969
My favorite memory. I was coming into the school one day with my good friend Betty Wills. On the floor in front of me laid $20. Now that was something to see and for a student back then it was a lot of money. So, what to do as I consulted the devil and angel on my shoulders; pick it up, pocket it, or turn it in. Obviously, it belonged to someone. So, I turned it in. I got a big thank you from the student who had lost the money as well as a big surprise. I was Principal Frank Hanawalt’s co-student of the week for doing such an outstanding deed and also was presented with an award from the Bulldog Drive-in. A free hamburger meal for a month! Guess it pays to be honest.
Jon Bridge
Class of 1968
It’s hard to remember all the things that happened over 55 years ago, but suffice it to say that my time at Garfield was exciting, enjoyable and exhilarating! The most vivid and worthwhile memory comes from my sophomore year when we took to make a stand against de facto segregation in the Seattle schools. We spent the better part of a week boycotting classes and attending “Freedom Schools” where we learned the American black history that our school system was wont to teach. The experience rounded my education and made a difference for thousands of Seattle school students.
Julie Walker Meacham
Class of 1960
When asked to write about my memories during years at Garfield (Sept.1957-June1960) I had no idea where to start. There are so many good ones and so few not so good.I remember the Turkey Day games at Memorial Stadium when we beat Clover Park 6 -0 in 1957 and then beat them again in 1959, 13-7. Our basketball team always did well and we went to Hec Edmondson Pavilion for many city and state tournaments.
Besides sports, I remember Fun Fest, special assemblies with speakers like former boxer, Archie Moore, the Brothers 4 singing for us and eagerly awaiting the weekly Messenger.
I have fond memories of many teachers and always felt I got an extraordinary education.
I have many memories of the friends I made at Garfield and remain friends with 62 years later (some have even been friends since grade school and junior high!).
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I am and always will be a proud Bulldog.
Henry, M. Brashen, Ph.D.
Class of 1964
I believe we experience many lessons in life that help shape the person we become. I could easily write about happy times at Garfield, as there were many. However, I want to share an experience that at the time was anything, but happy, but changed my life in a profound way.
One day in my junior year, we had to run from Garfield down to Washington Park and back during gym class. I had just hit the halfway point of the three-mile run at Washington Park. I was tired. I shouted my name to the coach with the clipboard and he checked me off. As I turned to head back to Garfield, I saw Coach Bob Gary a few feet away working with the cross-country team. He shouted at me ordering me to head to Lake Washington. I told him I was on the golf team, and we were running from Garfield o Washington Park and back as directed by our golf coach. He yelled that he did not care, and I better
get moving. Coach Gary was not one to argue with, so I reluctantly headed up the hill to Lake Washington with the cross-country team. I was not a runner and knew that they were out for their usual 7-10 mile run. What choice did I have? I heard coach Gary’s booming voice in the background shouting “You can do it.” I started running hoping that I could survive. I was breathing heavily, and my lungs were burning. Several members of the team hung back and ran with me encouraging me. About halfway through the route I surprisingly got a second wind. I was amazed and overjoyed when I found I could run the whole distance. I never thought I could do it. A year earlier coach Bill Diambri told me that I was better than I thought I was, but not as good as I was going to get. His words didn’t resonate at the time, but they resonated now. Running became a way of life for me and I still do it over 50 years later. It is my meditation and stress reliever.
The lessons I learned from my teachers and fellow students were priceless. I learned to be positive, goal oriented, accepting of self, and accepting of others. My experiences at Garfield allowed me to accomplish things I may never have otherwise accomplished.
Patricia Bowen Mouton
Class of 1964
My favorite memories of Garfield were that I got to learn in a diverse multi-ethnic environment. Which was the building blocks to my success and who I became in life. I learned how work with people from differences races, sexual orientation cultures, religious, political ideology, and social economic status. It made me aware that everyone had something to offer to make this world a better place. I enjoyed being in Girls club for example because the different committees I worked on showed me the important of giving back to the community, I remember going to difference convalescent homes in the Central area after school as part of our Girls Club committees. We visited patients that did not have visitors. We volunteer our time helping patients write letters or we read stories or the newspaper for those who had problem with their vision. We also made small flower decorations that they could display on their nightstands. Other memories of the Girls Club were the food drives, collecting food during the holidays for families in need so they could have nicer celebration. I loved going to our football and basketball games against other High Schools. I loved the Bulldog winning spirit that was display at all our games. Our Band and cheerleading teams who knew how to rock any Stadium during our games, it was magical. Garfield had so many wonder memories and learning experience that I have now to carried throughout my life.
Susan Prince
Class of 1964
My favorite memories of Garfield are the great Basketball games. The crowds, the cheers, the music and the ROARING noise. The best part was when Stanley Saloy would pick up his broom/sweeper and take the court to dance and sweep his way across the court to the erupting cheers of the Garfield crowd. Fun, Fun, Fun
Linda Lawson Elman
Class of 1965
I have so many memories--my favorite teachers, Mr. Betz, and Mrs. Hundley The earthquake in 1965 followed by a senior assembly that started with instructions for what to do in an earthquake (a little late?) Being in Social Studies when the assassination of JFK was announced. Getting called to the office to explain why I'd skipped the election assembly the day after I'd been accepted at Stanford. (Mr. Betz said I could stay in his room and study for the English Lit test I had failed to study for the previous night. I had been a little excited.) Speaking to incoming officers at a leadership training in 1965 on the art of losing--having lost several elections at GHS.
Janet A. Jones Preston
Class of 1966
In the 1964/65 fall play John Alyward played THE HAPPY Hypochondriac and I played his wife. We became the First interracial couple in a Garfield fall play. John graduated in 1965 and went on to become a popular working actor for over four decades. In TV series, movies and stage plays. John Alyward passed May 16th 2022
Catherine/Katie Mulkins/Jackson
Class of 1964
I so enjoyed the great mix of cultures, ethnic, financial, groups that worked together to make Garfield such a great place to attend.
Rodney Waldbaum
Class of 1963
I loved, loved, loved my years at Garfield. I never missed a football or basketball game, where the Garfield Stomp made the stands sway. Great, diversified student body. Wonderful faculty. Waldbaum's Talent Agency at the Garfield Funfest (even though I had no talent to perform), Proms with Nina Barde (now my wife for over 54 years.) Being elected Senior Class President.
Tehran Johnson
Class of 1961
Purple and white day when the "Boptones" sang; Terry Johnson, leonard Smith, Bob Flowers, Hartzel Hilliard, David Madayag, and Leroy Hartwell. 1961.
Catherine (Mulkins) Jackson
Class of 1964
Great years at school. Music program along with multi racial, social, and economical learning through various school wide activities.