Bothell High School
Alumni Association
NEWSLETTERS
The first Cougar Tracks Alumni newsletter was issued in May of 1995, and was quite an accomplishment considering that most of the volunteers didn't have computers at home back then. Many of us were still using electric typewriters, and we didn't have access to clip-art on the internet, so graphic images were hand-drawn or cut and paste. The Association publishes two issues each year. The most recent four issues are reserved for our members and are kept on a password protected page called Recent Newsletters. Issues are made available to the public two years after their original publication. See the column to the right for the publicly available issues. To open an issue, double-click on the blue cougar tracks icon. If you want to join so you receive recent newsletters, go to the Membership page.
The History Pub at McMenamins for A Night on the Town
Volume 30, Issue 1, June 2024 by Kathy Greenwood Class of 1966
The Bothell Historical Society and McMenamins Anderson School have collaborated on a monthly history event called the “History Pub.” On the last Tuesday of the month, they host a speaker who gives a talk on a different topic related to Pacific Northwest history. The 7:00 p.m. event is held in Haynes Hall and the audience can purchase food and drinks to enjoy during the lecture. If you stay the night at the hotel, you get a 15% discount when you show your ticket at check-in. Tickets are only $5 in advance, and $7 at the door. They started the year off with a sold-out presentation about the 10,000 crows that roost in the trees at the Bothell U.W. campus wetland each night...The April presentation also sold out. It was about the real story behind “The Boys in the Boat,” by Olympic rower Joe Rantz’ daughter Judy Willman. She consulted on the book by Daniel James Brown that was made into a movie directed by George Clooney...If you are looking for something to do, consider making a night of it by attending a History Pub event, having dinner at one of the McMenamins restaurants, and staying the night in the Anderson School Hotel. But get your tickets early, as these are popular events.
Last Founding BHSAA Member is Passing the Torch
Volume 29, Issue 2, December 2023 by Dawnmarie DesJardins Class of 1985
Much to our dismay, at the end of 2023, Bev Niemeyer Schmer, class of 1967, and the last founding member of the Bothell High School Alumni Association, will be stepping down from BHSAA and entrusting new members and volunteers to carry on what she started more than thirty years ago.
On November 18, 1993, the very first meeting of what would later become the Bothell High School Alumni Association was called to order by Bev. There were fifteen alumnae in attendance with graduates from the class of 1931 to the class of 1989. Bev’s agenda was specific: 1) Find – creating a central listing of the alumni, 2) Resource – of information on previous reunions, and 3) Homecoming – help plan and participate in the alumni portion. We still have a copy of those minutes, and the ideas envisioned the association would be:
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Membership fee will include a newsletter and booklet
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Scholarship fund
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Possible this could be a branch of Bothell High Booster Club
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Help unite the community
Thanks to Bev and her volunteers, many of those original ideas are still in place today. You’re reading the second issue of twenty-nine years of the BHSAA newsletter. The BHSAA continues to award two scholarships each year to deserving seniors. We’ve worked closely with the Booster Club and strive to keep alumnae informed of what’s happening in the community, keeping their ties to Bothell strong, no matter where our graduates now live.
Cougar Tracks 2014-2022
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Older isues are available upon request. See catalog on the Archives page.
Members can read the rest of this article and the December issue by clicking on the Recent Newsletters button and entering the December password. If you are not a member, you can join now by clicking on the JOIN tab above. You will also be able to read other recent issues.
Bothell Grad is Third in Line to the U.S. President
Volume 29, Issue 1, June 2023 by Kathy Greenwood Class of 1966
On January 3, 2023, U.S. Senator Patty (Johns) Murray made history by becoming the first woman to hold the position of President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate. The position is third in the line of succession to the President of the United States, but for four days Patty was the second in line, because the Speaker of the House hadn’t been chosen yet. After being sworn into office by Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Murray climbed the steps to the President of the Senate’s desk, while noticeably wearing her signature tennis shoes.
Recollections of a BHS Centenarian
Volume 28, Issue 2, December 2022 by Bev Neimeyer Schmer Class of 1967
Edith Andersen Gossan, BHS class of 1939, was born November 12, 1920, to Christian and Elise Marie Nielsen Andersen in Manson Iowa. Yes, that is right she is 102 and one of our oldest Association members. By no means “old,” this lady is a true delight and with a twinkle in her eye, she tells me her story. She is the youngest of four, Helen Andersen McMahon, ’36 (dec.); Edwin, ’38, and Harold ’43; all graduating from BHS. She arrived here on a train with her family at the age of three. They were relocating due to her father’s health. Edith remembers the train ride; she had a coloring book and crayons that kept her busy through it all. Soon after arriving here, her father found their property and built their first home. It was just past the Hollywood Poultry Farm on Hollywood Hills. The house, barn and outbuildings are still standing today. The property remained in the family until 2020, when it was sold after Helen Andersen McMahon and then her son Jeff, passed away.