Memories, music, speeches mark Sequim High School’s first 100 years

SEQUIM — Sequim High School pulled out all the stops Thursday to raucously celebrate its first 100 years.

The centennial assembly drew hundreds of alumni and current students to the school to take part in a party-like atmosphere filled with songs and speeches, honoring those among the graduating classes of long ago.

It was a celebration of the first year, 100 years ago, that Sequim had a ninth-grade class — and every year since.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Naturally, it was a time to reflect on the past and look to the future.

“This is how we did mathematical equations before there was the advent of the calculator,” said Dave Blake, class of 1966, holding up a slide rule while wearing his old, “tighter” letterman’s sweater.

Blake, who came back to Sequim after college to go into business, said some things haven’t changed.

“Homework is still a pain in the butt,” he said, drawing laughs.

He said when he conducted research in high school, it was using an encyclopedia, not a computer.

“I am unsure if they even exist anymore,” he said of volumes of reference books.

He recalled the 1960s, when gas was 25 cents a gallon, young people worked on farms for $10 to $12 a day, and anyone who wanted to call home found a phone booth instead of grabbing a cell phone.

It was a day that honored the school’s alumni, including 89-year-old Cliff Vining, a member of the class of 1939, who received the longevity award as the oldest graduate.

Also honored was Dick Bekkevar, class of 1941, as the school’s oldest member of Future Farmers of America.

His granddaughter, Megan, who is carrying on the farm family’s FFA tradition, tearfully presented the award to her grandfather, who returned the emotion with a loving smile and a warm embrace.

Also honored was English teacher Linda Crowley, who has taught at the high school for 36 years. She was thanked for her dedication.

“Fan of the Century” went to Myron Tetenrud, class of 1960, who has rooted for the Wolves sine 1950, he said.

Amanda Bacon, class of 1998, belted out a song, “One Moment in Time,” to huge cheers from the stands.

Also entertaining was the high school Percussion Trash Can Band, playing “Lids” and seriously beating aluminum garbage cans like there was no tomorrow.

Longtime teacher Larry Hill joked that he recalled a time when “twitter and tweet was how the birds communicated.”

Sequim senior and student body officer Audrey Lichten, who organized the event, said she was happy with it.

Thursday’s events, which included a high school library reception with historic exhibits for alumni to peruse and remember, ended with a dinner put on by the FFA and boys and girls basketball games against Port Angeles.

The boys team members demonstrated their best shots, hitting the gym floor for a brief time.

A large exhibition of historic photos, many of them alumni-donated and others provided through the Museum & Arts Center of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, were on display.

A video was also presented, produced by Sequim seniors David Richards and Harrison Mitchell in Charles Kleinberg’s multimedia class, in which several alumni dating back to before the 1940s were interviewed.

They talked about “freshmen initiations” in which boys were made to dress like girls, even being swatted by seniors.

The Stuart Marcy band, with the computer science teacher backed up by other teachers and wearing a wig and strutting like Mick Jagger, put on a final garage band performance of “Eye of the Tiger.”

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state