Politics & Government

Curtis High's First Graduating Class Reunites for 50th Anniversary Proclamation

Members of Curtis High School's class of 1962, including current Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, were on hand to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary with the University Place City Council.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Curtis High School. To honor its legacy, members of the first graduating class reunited to hear an official proclamation celebrating the school at the March 4, 2013 city council meeting in University Place.

Among the 10 alumni present was Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a proud member of the "the best high school in Washington," class of 1962. (Watch our interview with him in the attached Patch Clip.)

“This is the first generation of Curtis High School, and most of them had been together since kindergarten […] they one of the many signs of our quality education system,” said University Place mayor Ken Grassi.

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Curtis Junior/Senior High School was constructed in 1957 and was originally open to 7th and 8th grade students bused from Clover Park and Stadium high schools. The class of 1962 had 99 students in its graduating class.

By 1969, the student population had grown so much that Curtis High School separated from the junior high and moved “up the hill,” to 40th Street.  

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Councilman and former University Place school board member Kent Keel read the official city statement honoring 50 years of Viking pride in front of a packed Town Hall. (Read the whole proclamation in the city council electronic packet).

“Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of University Place does hereby congratulate the graduating class of 1962 and recognizes that the continued high quality of education results from the concern and involvement of every resident in our city,” Keel said, reading from the proclamation.

What's your favorite memory of Curtis High School? Tell us in the comments. 


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