Curtis High School Alumni
University Place, Washington (WA)
Alumni Stories
Tad Reid
Class of 1974
First of all I'd like to note that I attended Curtis Jr / Sr high school from 7th to 11th grade. You didn't see me at graduation because I took my senior year at Foss HS. It was a time of experimentation in the field of education and I wanted to be part of that. Having spent 5 years at Curtis, though, I definitely feel a part of the culture and wanted to take this opportunity to express a bit of gratitude to those who so patiently put up with me.
I'd like to acknowledge a few of the teachers who made a difference in my life. (Please forgive me if I've misspelled the names.)
Mr. Northrup, (Choir teacher 8th grade) I'll always remember you dancing around the choir room pretending to be a vampire as you played "Switched on Bach" at concert volume. You introduced me not only to the amazing compositions of J.S. Bach but to the whole world of electronic music.
Mr. Blanchard, (metal shop 8th & 9th grade) You presided over a gaggle of rambunctious pubescent boys in a room filled with dangerous equipment. The fact that you did this with grace and equanimity is still a mystery to me. Your classroom was decorated with signs containing funny but pithy slogans. There was one that stuck with me though, it read: "Are you a cog or a monkey-wrench in the machinery of life." I, of course identified with the latter. :-)
Mr Rice, (art teacher 10th & 11th grade) I'll never open a kiln when its hot because you said: "Always look through the inspection hole to see if safe to open the kiln, if you don't we might be calling you Baldy" In addition to this important advise Mr. Rice gave me the encouragement to know that I could be part of the "creative class" and follow my passion.
Mr. Handelin, (U.S. history 10th or 11th grade?) After reading Howard Zinn's book "A peoples history of the united states" I realized what a fine line it must have been to teach what was expected (so as not to get fired) and what you really wanted to tell us.
There are more of you out there, as well, who attempted to educate me (I was a difficult student) and I'm grateful to all of you.
Thanks,
-Tad
I'd like to acknowledge a few of the teachers who made a difference in my life. (Please forgive me if I've misspelled the names.)
Mr. Northrup, (Choir teacher 8th grade) I'll always remember you dancing around the choir room pretending to be a vampire as you played "Switched on Bach" at concert volume. You introduced me not only to the amazing compositions of J.S. Bach but to the whole world of electronic music.
Mr. Blanchard, (metal shop 8th & 9th grade) You presided over a gaggle of rambunctious pubescent boys in a room filled with dangerous equipment. The fact that you did this with grace and equanimity is still a mystery to me. Your classroom was decorated with signs containing funny but pithy slogans. There was one that stuck with me though, it read: "Are you a cog or a monkey-wrench in the machinery of life." I, of course identified with the latter. :-)
Mr Rice, (art teacher 10th & 11th grade) I'll never open a kiln when its hot because you said: "Always look through the inspection hole to see if safe to open the kiln, if you don't we might be calling you Baldy" In addition to this important advise Mr. Rice gave me the encouragement to know that I could be part of the "creative class" and follow my passion.
Mr. Handelin, (U.S. history 10th or 11th grade?) After reading Howard Zinn's book "A peoples history of the united states" I realized what a fine line it must have been to teach what was expected (so as not to get fired) and what you really wanted to tell us.
There are more of you out there, as well, who attempted to educate me (I was a difficult student) and I'm grateful to all of you.
Thanks,
-Tad
Recent Members
| Adam Nichols | 1976 |
| Chris Flack | 1995 |
| Cindy Collins | 1990 |
| Geoff Peltier Peltier | 2000 |
| Jeremy Piocos Jeremy Piocos | 2005 |
| Maya Henderson | 2011 |
| Sarah Gemmell | 2005 |
| Sierra Marsh | 2015 |
Military Alumni
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Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!