A New Chapter Begins: Rainier Beach High School Unveils Its State-of-the-Art Facility
Students occupied the new Rainier Beach High School for the first time on Monday. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Monday marked a momentous occasion for Rainier Beach High School as students returned from spring break to a brand-new building, a culmination of years of community effort and anticipation. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and a sense of pride as students, staff, and community members stepped into the modern facility.
Patrick McGlothlin, Senior Project Manager at Lydig Construction, the company building the new Rainier Beach, described the day as “pretty exciting,” noting that students entered through a unique main entry on level two, which opens up to a “cool four-story atrium.” McGlothlin emphasized the space's significance, stating it's “something the community can really enjoy, and the students can enjoy as they're going to class now.” However, he also added, “job's not finished,” referring to the ongoing phase four construction, which includes a new performing arts center and other amenities.
Daveiah Houfmuse, an 11th grader, expressed a desire to “create some new memories” in the new building. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Students were equally thrilled with their new learning environment. Daveiah Houfmuse, an 11th grader, expressed a desire to “create some new memories” in the new building, adding, “My first impression when I walked in here is, I want to go straight to the gym. Oh yeah, nah, it's beautiful.” Houfmuse also looked forward to a “better learning environment” that is “bigger, more spacious, and more people are going to come here and help us.”
Madison Odukwe, also an 11th grader, noted the vibrant atmosphere and the “really big library.” She reflected on the community's fight for the new school, saying, “They were trying to shut down the school, but the neighborhood did fight for it, so it did work.” Odukwe also expressed hope for increased school spirit, anticipating that the new gym and football field would draw more people to games.
Ramon Perez, a 12th grader, described the day as “very unreal” and a “moment in history.” He was “speechless” upon seeing the clean walls and felt the new building was “a victory” and “a privilege.” Perez also expressed gratitude to those who came before him, saying, “I'm very grateful to them, because they brought us something that they couldn't have.”
“The Diamond of the South End” - Rainier Beach Senior, Ray Proctor. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Ray Proctor, also in 12th grade, called the new building “amazing” and “the diamond of the South End.” He considered it “the best graduation gift I could get from the school district.” Astou Sarr, an 11th grader, appreciated the “natural light” and “lounge areas,” but also noted the challenge of navigating between classes on different floors. Sarr highlighted the community's long fight for funding, emphasizing that “it was really good, because especially in a predominantly underfunded black school, it's something that we deserved.”
M’Bouilee Sidibe described the experience as “surreal,” feeling like she was in a “dream.” She expressed excitement for the “two gyms” and the “modern facilities.”
Michael S. Bethea, Head Basketball Coach at Rainier Beach High School, also found the day surreal, recalling the fight to keep the school open and the efforts to secure funding for the new building. He praised Betty Patu and her daughter, Virginia, for their instrumental roles in the process. Bethea emphasized the school's significance to the community, stating, “It gives you something to be really, really proud of, something to fight for, something to stand up for.” He also highlighted the state-of-the-art gym, which now bears his name, noting it has “more seats than any gym in the state” and feels like a “college gymnasium.”
The unveiling of the new Rainier Beach High School marks not just the opening of a building, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, pride, and endless possibilities for the students and the entire community.
