By Patrick Robinson

As an alumni of Evergreen High School, class of 1969, it was surprisingly emotional to walk the campus on it's Final Farewell day June 14. 

Hundreds came to meet old friends and see the buildings they came to know before it is torn down. The new campus is still under construction just east of the current one and will open next fall. You can learn more about the new campus here.

High School for many people creates such a concentration of memories that when you revisit the places where they were formed, they come flooding back. Seeing a few of the people who remembered you back then, hearing conversations that include years of transition that came much later than my own provided genuine perspective.

I recall speaking (for reasons I don't clearly recall) speaking on behalf of the candidacy of Eldridge Cleaver in 1968. Look him up and learn about him.. he was an interesting guy. I learned how to really shoot the photo I wanted not just press a shutter button to shoot 40 pictures in a burst. I learned a bit about writing, working on the Timberlines (the school newspaper) and Forester (the annual). I covered all the basketball games, all the football games, all the track meets and a lot more. I was in speech class and wrote an 8 minute oration about the government coverup of UFO information (yes more than 55 years ago!) and even now it's still relevant. 

So those three years were more than just formative and foundational, they were fundamental to who I am today. 

The Highline Public Schools shared a bit of information at the event.

Evergreen Questions & Answers

1. When is the grand opening/public tour of the new school?
   A ribbon cutting ceremony and self-guided tours are being planned for October. We will post a date when it is confirmed. Check highlineschools.org/keepingourpromise for photos & updates.
2. Is there a plan to salvage the memorial for Jernes Schaub and the "Josie's Corner" memorial of the former cheerleader?

         Yes.

• The James Schaub memorial plaque will be reinstalled on the face of the large outdoor learning stairs overlooking the central courtyard.
• The Josie's Corner memorial plaque will be reinstalled on the face of the back of a built-in seating area in the south courtyard that leads into the athletics spaces.

1. What will happen to the original Evergreen High School buildings?
   After moving teaching materials, Promethean display panels and salvaged items to the new building in late June/July, then the original structures will be demolished and replaced with synthetic-turf softball and baseball fields. The new main entrance driveway is already being constructed just east of the existing main entrance.
2. What other items are being salvaged from the original school?
   The new main gym will feature:

• Many pieces of the original bleachers will be installed on the walls of the new gyms, representing the light tan EHS color, in between green and gold acoustic panels.
• The existing gym center will be cut out and installed on the wall of the new main gym.

5. What will happen to the existing wood welcome sign, and the large painted plywood murals in the existing gym?

• The Highline Heritage Museum is considering salvaging the large plywood murals with the fight song and painted Wolverine, etc., if they can be removed without damaging the painted artwork.
• The museum declined the wood welcome sign, perhaps due to size and weight. King County signage restrictions do not allow for any additional signs on the site and it is not planned to install inside the school. An alum from the class of 1987, which gifted the wood sign, has expressed interest in salvaging it, unless we find an appropriate place to install it later in the garden or inner courtyard areas.

Other Questions? You may email school construction questions to

KeepingOurPromise@highlineschools.org.