Graduates from 1968 greet each other on the stairs outside the school's front entrance during Garfield's Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Celebrating 100 Years of Garfield High School

Published on:

Aug 30, 2022, 11:37 pm

by Susan Fried

After a two-year delay and several years of planning, Garfield High School (GHS) celebrated its centennial on Saturday, Aug. 27. Hundreds of graduates from classes representing the 1940s to the 2020s showed up to show their Bulldog pride. At mini reunions, classmates who hadn't seen each other in years hugged, reminisced about their high school days, and talked about their lives since graduation. The joy and excitement people exuded from reconnecting with old friends was palpable.

Mini reunions for each graduating year were held in various areas around the school. There was a reception for current and past staff in the library, and a formal program featuring current Seattle Mayor and 1976 Garfield graduate Bruce Harrell as master of ceremonies in the gym.

The day included musical performances by the GHS Drumline, GHS Jazz Band, and a variety of other performances featuring Garfield graduates. Half a dozen food trucks from local vendors were in the parking lot nearby, fueling the festivities. Everywhere people were connecting with old friends and classmates, some of whom had traveled from out of state for the occasion. Alumni brought their children and grandchildren to proudly show them the high school where people like Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, and countless local legends had gone to school.

Photo depicting Jacqualine Hicks holding up a Garfield High School yearbook on the football field.

Jacqualine Hicks Boles, class of 1990, holds a Garfield High School yearbook from 1987 during the mini reunion for classes of 1980 through 2022 on the football field. The reunions were part of a full day of activities celebrating Garfield's centennial on Aug. 27, 2022, at the historic Central District school (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting Lillie Knauls wearing a black-and-white patterned blazer with a coordinating fedora hat seated and smiling among fellow graduates.

Lillie Knauls (center) class of 1956, sits with some of her fellow graduates during the Garfield Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting Denise Ransom and Darryl Glover both in Garfield Centennial Celebration gear smiling and posing for the camera on the football field.

Denise Ransom (left), class of 1987, and old friend Darryl Glover (right), class of 1986, celebrate Garfield's Centennial on Aug. 27. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting Garfield High School alumni wearing GHS colors of purple and white perusing old yearbooks in the library.

Garfeild alumni look at old yearbooks in the library during the Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting a crowd gathered to watch the GHS Drumline perform outside of the high school building.

The Garfield High School Drumline performs outside the gym during Garfield's Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting GHS cheerleaders performing in front of a stage set up in the GHS gymnasium.

The Garfield High School cheerleaders perform before the formal program for Garfield's Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting GHS alum Monisha Harrell speaking on stage during the Centennial Celebration inside the GHS gymnasium.

Seattle Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell, class of 1993, speaks during the formal program celebrating Garfield's Centennial. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting Joyce Walker wearing a purple-and-white Garfield High School Centennial Celebration sweatshirt standing up for recognition inside the gymnasium.

Garfield High School basketball great Joyce Walker gets up to acknowledge the crowd after being introduced during the formal program. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting a Black- and female-presenting individual wearing Garfield High School attire and a chihuahua face mask while holding her small dog.

A Garfield High School graduate enjoys a performance of the GHS Drumline. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Photo depicting a group of friends gathered in the high school cafeteria shaking hands.

Garfield High School Class of 1962 friends Levi Fisher, Mike Schwartz, and Tom Mathers greet each other during the historic school's Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Featured Image: Graduates from 1968 greet each other on the stairs outside the school's front entrance during Garfield's Centennial Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Before you move on to the next story …

The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.

If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn't have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.

We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!

Before you move on to the next story …

If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.

We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!

Featured