Traditions
Scale Ceremony
Since HLC is a “work at your pace” school, students finish class throughout the year. When a student finishes a class, we celebrate on Fridays. Students go to the teacher whose class they have finished, get a dragon scale with their name and the class finished, and bring it to the office. Students turn in the scale to some funky disco music (Ring My Bell) and ring a bell to signify completing a class.
Graduate Celebrations
Traditionally, as a Senior or a GED student completes all their requirements, an announcement has been made over the school intercom. Students put their name on a paper graduation cap and it is stapled up on a bulletin board in the main hallway.
The BIG Bell
Harbor High has had a long history with the marine industry. Our former teacher, Carl Brownstein is a Shipwright, and was hired to reconstruct a replica of the Lady Washington skippered by Robert Gray. After completing that project, Carl was approached by the Aberdeen School District to create and run a Marine Tech program for Miller Jr. High and Harbor High School. They were first housed in a building near the Junction City Juvenile facility. They later moved to the Historic Seaport location next to Walmart.
Harbor High School students had the opportunity to learn all facets of the Marine Industry, including navigation, shipbuilding, etc.
Our students built several long boats that they would sail all throughout the Harbor and the Chehalis River, rain or shine. These long boats would eventually be used in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and in a music video For King and Country.
We also had the distinction of having a Harbor High School graduate hold the title of the Youngest Licensed Pilot/skipper for a Tall Ship in the world. She was 18 when she was fully licensed. She went on to become a well known skipper in the boating industry holding several licenses for different types of ships.
Another one of our graduates continued working on the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain as a crew/cook member traveling all over the world to different ports.
The Harbor High graduation ceremony used to be held at the Log Pavilion in Morrison Park before we outgrew the space. As a result, the crew of the Lady Washington would sail up river to the Log Pavilion, setting off their cannon to signify the beginning of our graduation ceremony.
After we moved our graduation ceremony away from the Log Pavilion, a video was created by student David Workman, as part of the Dragon Production class. This video was played at the beginning of the graduation ceremony to carry forward the Cannon Salute for the graduating class.
We stopped using this video after the Marine Tech program was discontinued.
Today, we use a BIG Ship Bell to signify the rite of passage, moving from one journey to the next. After receiving their diplomas, each graduate is asked to ring the bell before sitting back with their class.
Sidenote: The Bell was purchased by staff donations from a Marine Supply Store. The base was made by Carl’s Marine Tech students.
Walk of Fame
On the day of the graduation practice, All students and staff would line the hallway in front of the cafeteria. The graduates walk the hallway being congratulated by students and staff. Our students also participate with the AHS students in the Graduation Walks at their home elementaries.
School Colors: Purple and Teal
The school colors were established by the ASB of Harbor High School under the ASB President Goldi Tademy. At the time, gangs using the colors of Red and Blue to promote hate were predominant in Grays Harbor. The ASB felt they wanted to promote peace and creativity, and yet remain unique, so they broke away from AHS colors and adopted purple and teal as our school colors.
School Mascot: The Dragon
In the year 2000, the ASB decided that Harbor High needed a mascot. They had a survey to gather suggested names, and then a subsequent vote was taken, and the Dragon Mascot was adopted. Not only was it just a Dragon, but they made sure it was a Chinese Water Dragon, because the colors of Purple and Teal are symbolic of the Water Dragon, keeping in line with our history with Marine life.
Over time, the three slogans that have become a tradition are:
No Dragon left Behind
No Dragon Stands Alone
Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon
First Name Basis with Teachers/Staff
Many staff use their first names with students and families. It is the staff member’s choice. Some staff feel first names are more personal and help build relationships.
ASB
ASB came back to the HLC in 23-24 under the leadership of Katie Hirschfeld. The torch was passed to Cordell Trusty for 24-25. Our ASB is active- with officers and representatives. They fundraise and plan student activities.
Sports
Our students have also always been able to participate in sports programs at AHS or MJH.
SOM Ceremony
Each month, each staff member selects ONE student of the month. A certificate is made. At a school wide ceremony, each teacher/staff presents their Student of the Month.
Thanksgiving Meal
Our local Rotary works with Duffys to prepare and service a sit down Thanksgiving Meal to our students.
Holiday Happenings
The day before Winter Break, students chose from a variety of staff hosted activities including Holiday Movies, crafts, hot cocoa, etc.
Winter Wishes
During the month of December, students make a wish for themselves or someone else. The wishes are put in holiday trees in the hallways and staff and students spend December granting wishes.
Day of Service
The day before Memorial Weekend, students spend the day engaged in Community Service. A BBQ lunch is enjoyed by all.
Contract/Grading/Points
Harbor Jr/Sr High operates on a point system because our credits are contract based. Students have a contract with each teacher for 100 points. Once they earn 100 points, a .5 credit with a letter grade of A, B, or C is put on their transcript.