RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
This Saturday, June 3rd, the Garfield Golden Grads will host their first in-person annual event since the pandemic in 2020, returning to Garfield High School after hosting the event virtually for the past three years. The event will take place at Garfield High School from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The Garfield Golden Grads is a non-profit organization that has been providing over $100,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Garfield High School each year. It is comprised of individuals who attended or graduated from Garfield High School 50 or more years ago, and their membership also includes Associate Golden Grads who support the organization’s purpose.
The mission of the Golden Grads is to support Garfield High School students by providing resources such as scholarships and other assistance, while fostering and maintaining relationships among the graduating classes. Additionally, the organization collects donations for the homeless student fund and organizes social opportunities for Garfield alumni.
As part of this year’s celebration, the organization will induct three Garfield Golden Grads into their Hall of Fame: Robert ‘Bumps’ Blackwell, William ‘Bill’ North, and John W. Lundin.
“The Golden Grads was formed by Garfield alumni and incorporates those who graduated or attended Garfield regardless of their graduation class,” said Vivian Lee, Chair for Golden Grads and Hall of Fame inductee.
“This is important because it shows that they are alumnus of Garfield and that they’re successful,” added Lee. “We’re honoring those who’ve been successful and have been giving back to the community.”
Robert ‘Bumps’ Blackwell, a 1937 graduate of Garfield, gained international recognition for his music. He played a crucial role in building, restructuring, and strengthening the careers of numerous famous musicians, including Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Little Richard, and Sam Cooke. Blackwell also co-wrote and produced hit songs. His daughter, Kelly Lee Blackwell, will accept the award on his behalf.
William ‘Bill’ North, a 1966 graduate of Garfield, holds a degree in Sociology from Central Washington University and had an 11-year Major League Baseball career. North played for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. In addition to his achievements in baseball, North is a member of Central Washington University’s Baseball Hall of Fame and the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, he actively supported and volunteered for youth in the community, while also advocating for the reduction of hunger in collaboration with his classmates from the class of 1966, known as the ‘Fifth Wheels’.
John W. Lundin, a 1951 graduate of Garfield, earned his law degree from the University of Washington. After retiring as a lawyer, he embarked on a new journey as a Northwest Snowsports Historian and Author. Lundin’s detailed research, books, lectures, and exhibits have helped increase national and international interest and awareness of the significance and influence of snowsports in Washington and Idaho.
