Washburn High School celebrates 100 years Aug. 1-2

Washburn High School is celebrating 100 years on Aug. 1-2, 2025.
The Friday program will be held in the Washburn auditorium, including student performances, Washburn Hall of Fame inductees, history highlights and honoring of Millers past and present.
Seating will be first-come, first-served, with ticket holders allowed in prior to the general public. Ticket holders should arrive at the Washburn auditorium between 6-6:45 p.m. to claim your seat. Doors will open to non-ticket holders at 6:45 p.m. and seats will not be reserved after that time. Purchase tickets to Friday, August 1 Reunion/Rededication.
Tours and history displays will be available on Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Classrooms for each decade will be available at that time as well so that people can connect with classmates. Food trucks will be available on the Mall from 4:30-7 p.m.. The main event starts at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Washburn alums will be inducted into the Washburn High School Hall of Fame:
• Bob Cabana -WHS class of 1967, multi time NASA astronaut and director of the Kennedy Space Center
• Deb Lilly - Assistant Athletic Director at WHS for over 30 years
• Michele Norris - WHS class of 1979, award-winning journalist for the Washington Post, NPR and many other prominent news outlets
• John McCreary - WHS class of 1980, “Mr. Washburn,” currently media director at WHS
• Billy McLaughlin - WHS class of 1980, world famous musician and Emmy award winner. Billy and his band from WHS days, “Paradox” will headline the Saturday night festivities
On both Friday and Saturday parking on the “upper” lot (off of 50th Street) will be reserved for people who need accessible parking. There will be golf cart transportation to the building/stadium. The elevator will be available to assist with access to different floors. If you have any questions about accessibility or parking, please call 612-438-2473. 

The following classes have requested and will have a room to meet at inside Washburn on Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.:
 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1972, 1973, 2020, 1989, 1994
On Saturday, Aug. 2, 6 p.m. is the Millwheels 100 Celebration, a 100th birthday party in Washburn’s MacQuarrie Athletic Stadium. It will feature  famous Miller alumni musicians, current WHS ensemble bands, cheerleaders, fireworks, and other celebratory surprises.
Seating will be first-come, first-served, with ticket holders allowed in prior to the general public. Ticket holders should arrive at the stadium on Saturday between 5:-5:45 p.m. to claim a seat. Doors will open to non-ticket holders at 5:45 p.m. and seats will not be reserved after that time. Purchase tickets to Saturday, August 2 Millwheels 100.
Tours and history displays will be available on Friday from 3:30-5:3 p.m. Food trucks will be available on the Mall from 3:30-6 p.m. The main event starts in the stadium at 6 p.m. 
On Saturday, the following will be inducted into the Washburn Hall of Fame:
• 1977 Football Team State Champions
• 1981 Girls Soccer Team State Champions
• 1994 Boys Basketball State Champions
• 2005 Girls State Champions 4 x 100 track team. Kadeshia Fortune, Tereza Govrik, Elizabeth Govrik, Rachel Lee
Calling all former cheerleaders and musicians! If you would like to participate in the show with other alumni, please click here. There will be a rehearsal Saturday afternoon.
Two nights. Two different celebrations. “Please mark your calendars and plan to attend both nights,” urge organizers.
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ONCE A MILLER, ALWAYS A MILLER!
The Washburn High School Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1987 by a group of parents, teachers, alumni, and community members to provide financial and volunteer support to Washburn High School and its students through:
• Grants directly to teachers for special projects
• Funding support for curricular and extra-curricular programs and capital needs
• Scholarships for Washburn High School graduates
“We are dedicated to sustaining excellence at Washburn High School by cultivating a support network with alumni and the broader community,” said Mark Bachman, WHS ’91, Board President, Washburn High School Foundation. “We advocate for and actively connect financial and volunteer resources to the School in order to provide enriching experiences and an exceptional public education for its students, preparing them for a successful future. We celebrate Washburn’s successes and create awareness of its needs and opportunities for growth in academics, the arts, and athletics.
Each school year, $50,000 in mini-grants are awarded to staff to fund things like field trips, speakers and special curriculum. Crystal Spring, director of Washburn’s Blackbox theater program, will use her mini-grant to hire spoken word artists, choreographers, and actors from the community who can build students’ theatre skills, as well as bring in a multi-cultural perspective to their work. “I am so grateful for all the financial support you have given the Blackbox! It makes a huge impact on us, honestly. We wouldn’t be the same without your support,” said Ms. Spring.