Alumni connect the past, present and future of the Edmonds School District and have been an important part of the Foundation’s success. Please share news, achievements and milestones so that we may celebrate our ESD community, near or far. Write an article, like us on Facebook or join the alumni committee. Submissions and suggestions may be emailed to Jennifer Amend.

Jack Eschrich’s relationship with the Edmonds School District began in 2nd grade when his family moved to Lynnwood after World War II. On 11 acres, in what is now the heart of Lynnwood’s commercial district, his parents and their business partners ran a chicken farm that supplied eggs to Ed’s Market. As an eight-year-old, Jack couldn’t have foreseen his lifetime of service to the district’s students and teachers. 

His 40-year teaching career began at Madrona Junior High. Jack was one of nearly 20 teachers hired right out of college to open the new school. “It was an exciting time. Imagine the enthusiasm and energy,” he said. Six years at Madrona were followed by 32 years teaching English, art and photography at Meadowdale High School. Unlike many of his male peers, he chose not to become a principal and retired after logging 38.4 years (officially) in the classroom. “I just wanted to teach. It’s an old cliché, but you feel really good if you help a kid read a book or solve an equation. It’s rewarding.” Those rewards also came at some cost.

“Pay was low. I did every part –time job I could think of,” he said, recalling a stint driving a berry bus to Skagit Valley during summer harvest. To address this and other issues, Jack got involved in collective bargaining. “We worked hard to see that teachers’ voices were heard.” As president of the Edmonds Education Association (’68-’69), he and a team of negotiators helped improve pay, benefits and day-to-day conditions for teachers and administrative assistants. “We really began to push for a living salary,” he said. Two other issues stand out in his mind: paid medical benefits and the elementary planning period. Jack credits Hazelwood Elementary teacher Dave Johnson with introducing the planning period, now an accepted part of a teacher’s day.

Jack’s commitment to teaching is shared by generations in his family. “We’ve seen the whole gamut of what it’s like from K-12.” His daughter is a counselor at Meadowdale High, one son taught 6th grade at Hilltop Elementary, another taught at Cascade High School in Everett, and a daughter-in-law teachers 1st grade at Beverly Elementary. His wife Sue was a registrar at Lynnwood High, and when asked if he encouraged his children to go into teaching he said that “education was very important to us. We modeled that, so I suppose I’m responsible in the sense of being a role model.”

Jack’s ties to the district didn’t end after 38.4 years. Post-retirement, he helped found the Edmond School District Alumni Association (now part of the Foundation) to raise funds for student scholarships. He remains actively involved today.

In photo: Son, Brent (Hilltop 23 years), daughter-in-law Laura (Beverly Elem.), son Jim (Cascade HS), Sue (LHS registrar), Jack (MHS), Brenda,(counselor, MHS) and grandaughter-in-law Breanna (Seattle International School)

Former Cedar Way Elementary Principal Jeanne Smart (EHS ’62) shared a photo from her January wedding to Larry Rosenthal, which she described as a “happy reunion” of former principals at Edmonds Elementary and Cedar Way Elementary Schools. Pictured are: Ann Madsen, Craig Madsen, Karen Koschak, Harriet Green (Leftonj), Todd Christensen, Jeanne Smart, Gayle Everly and Diane Christensen, a teacher at Cedar Way Elementary.

Meadowdale High graduate Kyle Bahl has raced hydroplanes since he was a teen. Now he’s just one of two American racers who were invited to compete in the elite Guayaquil-Vinces Regatta in Ecuador. He finished 6th out of more than 60 competitors. Congratulations! Read Kyle’s story.

Alumni are celebrating 30th, 40th, 50th and even 60th class reunions later this summer and early fall. Find dates and information on our Reunion Calendar. 

Is your class planning an upcoming reunion? Let us know and we'll add it to the calendar. Email details to Jennifer Amend.

For the first time in Lynnwood High School’s history, the LHS Cheer Squad went to a national competition. The team earned a spot in the 2019 U.S.A. Spirit National competition in Anaheim, California where they proudly represented LHS and the Edmonds School District. The girls came home with a trophy after placing 5th in the nation in the small varsity non-tumbling advanced division. “I am so extremely proud of this program. Placing this high at nationals is something we never thought was possible and it is such an honor to be a part of the top five,” said Coach Amber Torres. The four-day competition featured hundreds of cheer teams from across the country. The squad’s participation at nationals was funded in part through the Foundation’s Student Matching Program. Donations made through the Foundation were matched up to $2,000 to help cover travel costs and competition fees. Congratulations, Lynnwood High School Cheer Squad!

Mountlake Terrace High School Senior Sophie Burbank has been nominated for the U.S. Department of Education’s 2019 Presidential Scholar Program. Active in STEM and CTE programs at MTHS, Burbank is just one of three South Snohomish County students nominated for this prestigious award.

MTHS online student news site has been named a Pacemaker Award finalist by the Scholastic Press Association. The Hawkeye is one of 44 finalists that will be honored at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention in April.

Edmonds-Woodway High School shone at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in February, winning four top honors including the 2019 Sweepstakes Award for Outstanding Jazz Ensemble. Hosted by the University of Idaho, the festival is one of the largest and oldest educational jazz festivals in the world.

Alderwood, Brier Terrace and Meadowdale Middle Schools all received Governor's Gold Awards in January. The award is given to schools that enroll at least 70 percent of students for the College Bound Scholarship (CBS). CBS is a program of the Washington Student Achievement Council to provide financial aid to qualifying students who want to attend 2- or 4-year college.

Scriber Lake High School Writing Program recently launched its seventh book, “Listen: Young Writers Reflect on Chaos, Clarity, Action and Balance.” Teacher Marjorie Bowker co-founded the program with the mission to foster healing, understanding and literacy through personal storytelling. This year’s book is dedicated to Liza Behrendt, who taught at Scriber from 2010 until she passed away in 2018.

In 1984, then-superintendent Hal Reasby established Foundation for Edmonds School District, and launched the Living Legend Awards to celebrate the Edmonds School District’s centennial and recognize teachers and staff for exceptional contributions to the District’s educational environment. In honor of the Foundation’s 35 years of distinguished partnership with, and the District’s 135 years of educational excellence, we are pleased to reintroduce and accept nominations for Living Legend Awards.

Living Legend candidates are those who have:

● Made a fundamental and lasting impact on the education environment of the Edmonds School District and/or
● Provided exemplary and positive leadership to students or staff and/or
● Developed an innovative educational program or management system and/or
● Been or are currently an educator in the Edmonds School District

Nominate a deserving teacher, principal or administrator who you feel is a Living Legend. Award recipients will be named and honored at our annual awards ceremony on May 23rd at Community Life Center, 19820 Scriber Lake Road, Lynnwood. Please submit written nominations in email to Jennifer Amend by April 12th.

Planned giving, or legacy giving, allows a donor to plan today for a gift made tomorrow. These major gifts provide long-term income for a non-profit organization, furthering its mission for years to come. There are many ways to include a favorite charity or cause in financial planning. A professional advisor can explain the options as well as benefits such as tax savings and income potential. The Foundation’s Legacy Circle recognizes individuals and families who have chosen to support our mission through a planned gift. To learn more, contact Deborah Anderson via email or (425) 431-7260.

Cynthia Anderson-Zakopyko, EHS
Norman Booth, LHS ‘82
Alan Edwards, EHS ‘67
Eric Ellis, MTHS ‘94
Betty Garrison, School Nurse
Fred Hoskins, EHS ‘48
Barbara Kunz (Larson), EHS ‘49
Larry Long, EHS ‘54
Jerry Mathiesen, EHS ‘54
Timothy McAllister, EHS ‘61
Steven E. Noah, EHS ‘63
Tom Olsen, MTHS, ‘73
Iris Page, School Nurse
Ron Palmer, EHS ‘54
Chris Peterson, EHS ‘71
Karen Phillips, EHS ‘72
Casey Rooney (Scoles), MTHS ‘74
Ronald Rose, MHS ‘68
Phil Schneider, Staff
JoAnne Sedowsky, Staff
Barbara Snavely, Teacher/Coach
Norma Sola-Pierce, EHS ‘74
Larry Squire, Teacher
Joyce Stuhr, EHS ‘50
James Ward, EHS ‘71
Ann Werckman, Staff
Hazel Wilcoxon, Staff
Robert Van Ness, Teacher, EWHS
Linda Yarno, EHS ‘63