Mt. Rainier High School is holding a 30-year reunion cruise this Saturday, July 24th, and there’s still room for all you 1980 grads to poof up your hair (or whatever you have left of it), squeeze into those trendy tight jeans (ugh) and get on board to see your old pals.

The 3-hour tour (this is your cue to start whistling the theme from “Gilligan’s Island”) will leave from the Des Moines Marina on an Argosy Ship at 8:30pm.

There will be a No-Host Bar and “light eats” and classmates are encouraged to bring spouses, partners or friends.

Cost is $80 per person, and boarding begins at 7pm.

To register online, click here.

For more info, check out the reunion’s website: http://mtrainierhighschoolclassof80.com

Here’s the poster:

by Marcia Blas

The competition was fierce and an 18-year streak toppled on Saturday, January 16th during the traditional swim meet with O’Dea High School – the ‘local’ Fighting Irish – and, boy, they did fight!

O’Dea won the meet against Mt. Rainier High School, 106 to 83.

Not something Mt. Rainier’s Swim Coach Crowder wanted to emphasize, but it can’t be denied.

For one of Mt. Rainier’s own, though, it was the highlight of the season as Billy Ikeda defeated the meet record by 0.24 seconds in the Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke and won the heat in 1:02.17. He’ll be representing MRHS at division and state levels. His father mentioned that while Billy had a slightly better time at Hazen High School during the last meet, beating the record only counts if the record is beat at your home pool.

And, speaking of home pools, one might not even exist if it weren’t for the hard work and effort of the MRHS girls and boys swim teams, parents, and the community at large this past November. The Mt. Rainier pool was slated to close in 2010 if voters had not rallied to pass Proposition 1.

Many thanks go out to the supporters of our local swimming pools. Because of their commitment, the traditions, like the one which exists between O’Dea and Mt. Rainier high schools, remain intact. Elements in this swim meet do not endure elsewhere.

The audio blares hard rock songs like “Walk this Way” as O’Dea, in their maroon and gold athletic gear, sport mirrored swim goggles and swagger up to the starting blocks. The announcer plays up to the capacity crowd declaring the start of the 100 Yard Backstroke featuring Jacob ‘J. Stash’ Stashower (O’Dea), Jason ‘Big J’ Lemly (MRHS), Lee ‘Muddy Waters’ Rivers (O’Dea), Darius ‘Chocolate Kiss’ Carter (MRHS), John ‘Kitty Cat’ Liedtke (O’Dea). The Swim Program lists the times for Jason and Lee at 57.12 seconds. THIS is going to be close! The race doesn’t disappoint the screaming crowd.  Jason powers in for the finish in 56.26 seconds just 7/10’s under his wake drafting competition, Lee ‘Muddy Waters’ Rivers. With times of 56.26 and 56.99 respectively, both will be competing at the state level.

As the last event, the 400 Yard Freestyle, drew nigh, the anticipation grew. Grins began showing up on the long-time supporters with questioning looks from the newbie’s. The teams gather on the walkway that spans the pool to watch the race. By the second lap, Bro Hymn is playing on the sound system and both teams sing at the top of their lungs cheering on their valued teammates.

Competition is competition and the meet is about winning, but for these two schools and the tradition they hold together, it’s mostly about beating their own best times. When the announcer gave his thanks to the participants, he also asked how many boys beat their best times. About 70% raised their hands as the crowd cheered loudly.

The night ended with much camaraderie amidst a grand potluck hosted by MRHS swim team supporters.

And, just for the record…in 18 years some concessions must be made, but you can bet, with the support and enthusiasm the Mt. Rainier Boys Swim Team garners, and the great coaching staff of Omar ‘I am not passive aggressive’ Crowder, Todd ‘Baldy’ Wollenweber, and Schell ‘Mom’ Ross, the next concession will be a long, long, long time in coming.

Des Moines’ very own Mt. Rainier High School Ramblin’ Marching Band will be one of several area participants in Macy’s 24th annual Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 27th in downtown Seattle.

More than two dozen high school marching bands and community drill teams will also participate, including marching bands from:

• Chief Sealth High School
• Denny Middle School

• Kentwood High
• Ballard High
• Penninsula High
• Washington
• Centralia
• Sequim
• Roosevelt

In addition to MRHS’ Ramblin’ Marching Band, several other area drill teams will participate:

• Northside Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Lake City Girls
• Marysville Pilchuck High School Marching Tomahawks and Color Guard
• Connect All Stars & Northwest Open Cheer
• Edmonds Woodway High School

Boasting nearly 56 entrants, the parade will also feature:

• 22 balloon floats and inflatables
• 500 costumed characters
• 18 high school marching bands
• Community drill teams
• Four dog clubs

The parade will begin promptly at 8:45am on 7th and Pine in downtown Seattle, travel west to 5th Avenue, south on 5th to University Street, west on University Street to 4th, and north on 4th to Pine street, where it will deliver Santa to Macy’s under a confetti snowstorm.

At 5pm, Macy’s will light its famous, 161-foot high, 3,600-bulb Holiday Star on the corner of 4th and Pine, in conjunction with the Westlake Tree Lighting Ceremony. The star lighting will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, weather permitting.

So be sure to cheer on your local, ramblin’ marchers and musicians either in person on or KING-TV beginning at 9am Nov. 27th.

(Photo courtesy Carmen Scott)