September 3, 2025
ISSUE 36
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IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
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COURTESY
Eatonville High School’s Class of 2005 gathered on Aug. 9 at Mill Haus Cider in Eatonville to celebrate 20 years since graduation.
Class of 2005 gathers 20 years later Submitted by Gordon Hultengren Eatonville High School’s Class of 2005 gathered on Aug. 9 at Mill Haus Cider in Eatonville to celebrate 20 years since graduation. Twenty classmates attended, making for an intimate evening filled with laughter, reminiscing, and genuine conversation. The class reserved a private,
covered area for the occasion, where food and cake were included with admission. The evening had the added bonus of live music — a common summer treat at Mill Haus —which provided a perfect soundtrack for catching up and sharing memories. The reunion was organized by a team of dedicated classmates: Jacqueline Hudspeth (Drennan),
Amy Isom, Karly Weishaar (McKee), Nicole Hylton (Farwell), and Lydia Patterson (Thomson). Many agreed that Lydia deserved special credit for pulling the details together and ensuring everything came together smoothly. It was a very inclusive celebration for the Class of 2005 — anyone who had ever been part of the class was
invited. Significant others were welcome too, and since Mill Haus is kidfriendly, several classmates brought their children. It turned the night into not just a reunion of old friends, but a gathering of families. Some were hesitant at first, unsure what it might feel like to reconnect after two decades. But once the evening began, nerves quickly gave way
to laughter and joy. Many left pleasantly surprised at just how much fun the night turned out to be. As organizer Lydia Patterson (Thomson) shared on Facebook afterward: “I think we were all surprised how fun it was to get together. There was lots of talk of future reunions, so we'll see what we want to do in the next 5, 10, 15-plus years.”
Excited for school to return
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COURTESY
The Eatonville High School Track and Field Project has started.
s we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I want to share my deepest gratitude with our entire Eatonville community. The past few years have shown us what is possible when staff, families, and community partners work together and this year Jay Brower promises to be one of our best yet. This summer, our staff worked tirelessly to prepare for our nearly 2,000 students. From training and planning to collaboration and classroom setup, they gave countless hours to ensure every child is welcomed into a safe, engaging, and inspiring learning environment. We are so excited to welcome back our students!
TRACK & FIELD PROJECT UPDATE The long-awaited Eatonville Track, Field, and Stadium Project is officially underway!
While construction was delayed by staterequired reviews, we received final approval on Aug. 18. The very next day, heavy equipment rolled in, and excavation began soon after. Progress is unfolding quickly, and you can follow along on our social media pages. Although this means our athletes will play their home football games in nearby stadiums this season, the wait will be worth it. By next fall, Eatonville will celebrate the opening of a state-of-the-art field a lasting investment for students, athletes, and families for generations to come. We are also close to final approval on the replacement stadium. I will share updates as soon as they are available. Thank you to our voters for making this project possible and for supporting our school district every step of the way.
STAFF TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL GROWTH Our staff is leading the way with new tools and training designed to inspire students:
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