Gig Harbor High School is a school with a history rich in years of changes and adaptation. The effort put into creating a space of quality for student life dates back to 1977 when the final draft for the school’s design was presented to the board to be approved for construction. This process began the following year, and the new school opened its doors to students and faculty in 1979. The school could have been called a number of wildly different things, a few being Rosedale High and Wilkes High, but fortunately, the ultimate decision came down to a vote taken by the public, deeming it Gig Harbor High School.
Our school has undergone many changes over the span of the years since its initial creation. According to current Principal Mrs. Suiter, the school’s renovation in 1990 was a notable shift and game-changer for student life. “When they opened the second part of the school, it was huge.” Suiter explained. The renovation was performed in phases. As stated in the alumni-written article GHHS: A Look Back, “Phase 1 consisted of a new masonry classroom building, gymnasium, and a new science addition. Phase 2 was the complete renovation of existing space, including upgrading portions of the food service area and a new administration area. Phase 3 consisted of renovation of the old, remaining administration area into classrooms and a music area (GHHS ALUMNI & FRIENDS).” This remodel added an impressive 120,000 square feet and offered more room to house subjects for students to learn and grow.
The new experiences didn’t stop there. Little did the founders in 1977 know that the district education system was about to be hit by the biggest shock wave yet. Long-time district office employee Mrs. Bunky Janovitch reflects on the events of Covid-19. “I worked at GHHS for 17 years as the office manager. I saw lots of changes during that time. I think back to the time during COVID when one day we were at work and were told to go home and that they would see everyone on Monday. Of course that turned into months of no school. When things started to open up, we started with online classes. I don’t think students or teachers were ready for such a different way of teaching [and] learning.” The school and their administrative team engineered ways to help students engage with learning despite the worldwide lockdown. This lockdown process of schooling was certainly a historic event for the books and a piece of our school’s history that demonstrates the endurance and dedication of our community to serving education.
Among the more obscure pieces of history is a notable alumnus: Dave Krusen. Krusen was the first drummer of the universally recognizable band Pearl Jam and happened to be a proud student of GHHS. The Gig Harbor native joined Pearl Jam in 1990 and left in 1991 due to complications in his personal life. Despite his time in the band being short-lived, he left a lasting impact on the culture of the band as one of the founding members, as well as on their musical reputation when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. In a 2017 article published by The News Tribune, Krusen answers interview questions about his life growing up immersed in the Gig Harbor community. “Q: ‘Did you graduate from a local high school?’ A: ‘I got my GED. I hated getting up early. I did love my friends and teachers at Gig Harbor High School, but I was a bit too much of a free spirit, perhaps… Small-town life was great for me. I grew up with the same group of friends from my earliest memories until I moved to Seattle to expand my musical horizons.’” Krusen’s acclaimed work in the musical world is only one example of the talent that stems from GHHS and the history of student excellence rooted in the school.
In the words of Mrs. Bunky Janovitch, “In the 17 years I worked at GHHS, I have to say I was always amazed at the talents of the students. Whether they were incredible artists, performers in drama, band, or choir; leaders and mentors to others; athletic; academic; members of clubs; or just part of the student body, they were incredible human beings, and it was such a treat to see them grow from 9th to 12th grade.” The foundational history of GHHS gives momentum to bright new voices and the sense of community needed to set our school on an uphill trajectory.
https://www.ghhsalumniandfriends.com/ghhs-through-the-years.html