Karshner Elementary Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Zeiger, a former Karshner Elementary student, addressed the crowd as the event’s keynote speaker.

He recognized former teachers in the audience and recalled memories including participating in school musical programs, sixth-grade camp, field trips, and a kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. He also remembered learning to read, writing a fourth-grade speech about the school’s namesake Warner Karshner, and checking out every library book available about U.S presidents.

“You will think back on your elementary years and really cherish those memories,” Zeiger told the hundreds of students seated on the floor around him. “Wherever you go, you will always be a Karshner Tiger."

A collection of photos from years past flashed on the screen after Zeiger’s speech, and then all guests were invited to sing Happy Birthday to Karshner Elementary.

The anniversary celebration continued with a cake and punch reception in the school library, where alumni paged through photo albums containing images dating to when the school opened.

Karshner Elementary opened in 1953, had a classroom addition in 1962, and had a schoolwide modernization in 1989. The school is named after the late Warner Karshner, a well-known doctor in Puyallup who taught for several years at Spinning Elementary and served 12 years in the state Legislature.

Karshner also traveled extensively throughout the world and brought artifacts back to Puyallup, many of which have been displayed at the Karshner Museum.

In preparation for the event, school volunteers and community members repainted portable classrooms on site, installed a bench on the side of the building near the parking lot, and planted flowers and a tree.

Click to view slideshow.