Minnesota High School Celebrates 100 Years With Former and Current Students of All Ages

This month, a Minnesota high school celebrated 100 years with hundreds of alumni and current students. The school hosted a weekend of festivities to make the time memorable. The city of Minneapolis even joined in on the fun by declaring August 1, 2025, “Washburn High School Day.”

High School Celebrates 100 Years

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The school was founded in 1925 and has had over 100,000 graduates since then. As part of the event, it inducted some of its famous graduates, one of whom was NASA administrator Robert Cabana.

“I think it’s really neat to be recognized by the people that you grew up with that think you did something special," Robert said. “My education here at Washburn that got me into the naval academy, and that sent me on my way to be a naval aviator, a test pilot, and an astronaut."

The Oldest Was From the Class of 1942

Many older folks who attended the school in their youth attended the celebration. The oldest alum to attend the event was 101 years old, a 1942 graduate.

“This community is really, you know, dear to all of our hearts," said Tom Coleman, quarterback for the 1977 state champion football team that was inducted into the Hall of Fame. “We played for each other. We really loved each other. Just the foundation of this place taught me how to be resilient in life."

At the event, five-time Grammy winner Jimmy Jam Harris was given an honorary diploma. He had dropped out of Washburn as a teen to pursue music.

The artist said that this diploma was the best of all the awards and honors he received because his father, Cornbread Harris, was there to see him get it.

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A Blast to the Past

Students of the high school put together photo collages and gave history tours. There was also live music and speeches from alumni.

“It’s really a big all-class reunion,” said Washburn’s principal, Dr. Emily Lilja Palmer. “One of my teachers noted that alumni especially love to tell us stories about the times they got in trouble. That’s a fun theme we’re seeing, but overall, people have great memories here. It’s been so fun to connect with folks.”

Many Reflected On Their Washburn Days

Three former cheerleaders from the class of 1958, Judy, Marsha, and Janet, reflected on their Washburn days.

“Back in those days, we couldn’t wear pants to school, only skirts, and on Fridays if there was a football game, you could wear slacks, but they had to be wool," Judy said. "No jeans. That’s why I wore jeans today. I couldn’t before.”

"And try walking a mile and a half to school in the wintertime in a dress," Marsha said.

“The best part about going to Washburn was the camaraderie of the class," Marsha said.

Reunions Every Five Years

Their class has a reunion every five years.

“One reason we had them every five years, if you recall, was to keep track of people because people moved and if you didn’t get them often enough in ten years, they were long gone. You’d never find them again," Judy said.

Janet says their graduating class was pretty close.

“Of course, we never had cellphones, so we always talked to each other," she said.

Janet said of Washburn’s history, “It’s really something to be proud of.”

It is indeed something to be proud of—it’s wonderful that so many people from this Minneapolis community look back positively on their school days and celebrate history together.

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WATCH: Minnesota High School Celebrates 100 Years With Former and Current Students of All Ages

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h/t: Kare11

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.