The Gray Middle School Alumni Night, held on Dec. 16, on the 82nd anniversary of the school’s dedication, had a huge turnout of 600–700 people. The celebration began in the old auditorium with a full house. Senator Rosa Franklin read the governor's proclamation. The student and alumni combined band plays the Gray fight song and other music. Students recited Gray historical information from the 1920s on. Following the program, students conducted tours, while others reconvened in the old gym where snacks, a silent auction, and displays from the decades awaited visitors. A string quartet from Mt. Tahoma High School provided background music.
Numerous key people made the night successful and Gray extends its heartfelt thanks to them for making the event such a hit with visitors.
Sue Coley, sixth-grade team leader. Coley’s vision and ability to connect people together for the sake of kids, for all the decorations, (ferns and poinsettias), food and beverages, decorating bulletin boards with past student and faculty life and committee leader, dedicating so much time and energy, and planning efforts. She is a true leader.
Gray PTA, especially Debbie and Larry Young. The Young family helped in many ways. Their son, Zach, was one of the Masters of Ceremonies. They put up Christmas lights on campus, assisted with the memorabilia table, and were supportive in every way by their strong attention to detail. Great job!
Jamie and Brian Devereaux. Jamie Devereux spent countless hours organizing the silent auction and book sale and publicizing the event in the community. Brian Devereaux created a hand-crafted wood treasure chest, which will start a new tradition at Gray. Outgoing eighth graders will write the memories they treasure about Gray and place the notes in the treasure chest upon leaving Gray for high school.
Heidi White for obtaining donations.
Debbie Puskas and Sam Reed and Sam Tooley. Sam Reed, retired band director, came back to Gray one last time to conduct two songs with the Alumni Band, the old Gray Pilots fight song and "Concert in the Park." Sam Tooley, current band director, prepared students leading up to this event. Debbie Puskas worked with 10 students to speak about a milestone in Gray's history. Students addressed the crowd reciting from memory historical information organized by decade from the 1920s to 2000s.
Principal Yvonne Bullock. Bullock’s overall wisdom, leadership and guiding ways allowed all of us to see the "big picture." She knows the significance of the positive relationships people in the community have for Gray Middle School over the years. She delegated and fine tuned the efforts as Dec. 16 approached, and she wanted most to give back to people who have a special place in their heart for Gray—and we did!
Terrance Colvin and Robert McPartlon helped create the historical slide show of Gray with pictures from the 1920s to 2000s.
Frost Cunningham, ASB Advisor. ASB officers and representatives conducted tours. Each tour guide was wearing an old Gray letterman's jacket. Many people wanted to see the old gym and walk the halls to reminisce about good memories.
PIO: Video taping of old or favorite memories.
Other people who helped with the event. Counselors Toni Tracy and M.J. Bird donated cakes; Sheila Swift, office coordinator, assisted in so very many ways—behind the scenes, working with the public, following through with people at all levels. Committee members who worked so hard included Pam Wallace, Sherie Kalista and Leanna Albrecht, director of Public Information.
Save the date: Friday, Feb. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Gray will hold a rollicking decade-by-decade musical review of Gray's first 82 years at the new school at 6229 Tyler St.