My alma mater, Whatcom Middle School

Well, some of you may have seen headlines today about the fire at Whatcom Middle School in Bellingham, WA. Apparently a fire started in the wee hours of the morning and by sunrise, the building was missing a roof, library, and I’m sure countless other spaces.

Water pouring down the front steps.

Water and debris fill the street in front of the school

The building was erected in 1906 as Bellingham High School. Some years later it became Whatcom Jr. High, and then Whatcom Middle School. I went there from 1976 through 1979. My dad attended WJH in the mid 50s. Generations of Bellingham families have attended that campus. I can remember well the feel of that old building, and the saying posted above the front door: WASTE NOT THY HOUR. We mocked those words at the time, but now I get it!

Today on Facebook, many other Whatcom Warrior alums have been strolling down memory lane as we are saddened by this fire. Conversations of Mr. Kennell’s helium balloon project in science, the cigarette smoke that rolled out of the staff lounge, people being put in lockers and gigantic food fights have brought back a lot of warm memories of that time.

It’s got to be hard for families and students, not to mention the staff, right now. One poster on FB said, “ I just talked to a friend of mine from high school. Her daughter actually attends Whatcom right now. She said her daughter is in tears and barely slept last night. She is crying over her teachers, her school projects, will she get to go school with her friends when they figure out what to do, etc…It’s got to be hard having gone to school there, but I can’t imagine being one of the students that goes there now. Lots of prayer needed for present and former community members.”

This link has some pretty amazing video showing  that shows just how huge this fire was. http://westernfrontonline.net/2009110511540/multimedia/multimedia-whatcom-middle-school-on-fire/

 

*sniff*

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