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Alumni, graduates alike bid fond farewell to Granite High

Any idea on how we can snag a "Forever Farmer" T-shirt? As a graduate of Granite High I would love to have one....

I wish there had been a Public Ceremony inviting all former Granitians to render a final singing of "The Song of the G". Graduates have made generous contributions to our community for more than 100 years. Flo Wineriter, class of 1943.

The building was unsafe, its about time..

I graduated from Granite in 1995, my brother in 1991 and my sister in 2004. My grandfather graduated in 1945 and my wife's grandfather graduated as a Farmer in 1919. Granite runs deep in my family and it is a sad day to see it go. One of the disappointing things about things about western states is that they have very little respect for history and historical sites. I know that the school is old and it is hard to keep up, but today our state loses a flood of history and memories.

I too wish I had know of the ceremony. I would have attended with pride. Lance Ashton class of '79

Just called the school and they are not selling any shirts. Real shame! I would have loved one and they could have made some extra cash. A dollar is something these days. Also according to the woman I spoke to, apparently there will be no open house in June. Another shame, I would have flown in just for that :(

Lissette Aliaga, class of 1997

I am a former Granitian from a time in its glory days when Granite's studentbody of 2500+ boasted one of the best Concert Choirs and school musicals around, thanks to Ralph G. Rodgers, Jr., a great sports program, a precision Pep Club (with famous red petipants), thanks to "Nellie" Nellestein, an impressive creative dance program, thanks to "Chris" Christensen, and excellent academics. We proudly wore red and blue on game days and my heart still skips a beat remembering "The Song of the G"

I recently learned there is a museum there. What will become of it? Similar others disappeared along with the school. I hope the June commemoration will allow us to view it and we will be assured there will be permanent placement for these valuable mementos. Granite IS history - the real kind - and holds a prominent place in Salt Lake Valley/Utah history.

I loved Granite, hated to see it "die" a slow, painful death, with the inevitable population shift. I hate seeing these historic buildings be lost forever like the corner L building did, and hope a community center can be created so it can live on in our eyes, like South High.

When sights and sounds of the campus
Fade in the long, busy years,
Yet will return in our memories
Echos of old songs and cheers!
You of the field, track, and diamond,
Fighters for clean victory,
You who love the fair, square sport;
You'll hear the Song of the G!
Go it, Granite, Go it Granite!
Hear the battle cry!
Go it, Granite, Go it, Granite!
Yours 'til we die.
She will remember, you'll not forget her,
Though you are far away.
She is calling, calling, to you ever,
Honor the Grand Old G!

The school may be closing, but this will definitely not be the last time the "Song of the G" is heard. While alumni of other schools would barely recognize their school songs if they heard them, any Granitian can sing theirs proudly and loudly, and by heart.

Congratulations to the graduates of this final class! And welcome to our honored society of proud alumni. And always, always, honor the Grand Old G!

It's about freaking time!!! Granite High was a "hole"!!! Totally discriminatory that this school was the school providing public school to all those diverse students in South Salt Lake!!! It should have been knocked down 40 years ago when Cottonwood High was built!!! Cottonwood High should have been it's replacement. I guess one of the GOOD side-effects of the economy is that it has finally forced Granite School District to come to grips with the reality their district should have been facing decades ago!!!! Their stupid, biased and prejudiced school board has forced buildings to stay open when half full, have forced new buildings be built when they should have been built elsewhere to replace old, aging, falling a part buildings. This district has WASTED money for decades--and been discriminatory to the MAJORITY populations of diverse students by forcing them into horrible school buildings for decades. So it's about FREAKING time they close this school!!! The only thing I'm sad about is that they weren't forced to wise-up earlier and name the elitist Cottonwood High Granite High to keep some ounce of pride for the district!!! What a bunch of waste!

I know the feeling. I was part of the last group
to attend B Y High in Provo, along with its last graduating class of 1968. Brigham Young High was
accually part of the original Brigham Young Accademy began in 1875. It went on to Unversity status. B Y High consisted of grades 7 through 12, all mixed together in a student body of 300 plus students. They held there own in academics and sports. The restored Education building, now part of the Provo Public Library is the remaining memory
and monument to this institution.

Although miles and years have seperated me from the mighty "G", I'm still a FARMER through and through. Three cheers for the Red and Blue.

We should all go to the graduation tonight. And all of us call the school and district and demand we have one last goodbye. We were denied a celebration of Granite turning 100 yrs old because that was the first year it was changed to a "non traditional school". Granite was a GRAND school and we deserve to have some sort of open house our something where we can all gather and say goodbye and take pictures. I to would have loved to get a shirt. We need to have the last say!

Deepest sympathy to all who are sad about Granite's closing. There is strength in being part of the tradition of a Grand Old High School. The Farmers' retirement is a loss to the entire Old Guard: Beetdiggers, Miners, Smelterites. There are many meloncholy hearts, today.

Honor to the Grand old G!

I didn't go to Granite, but remember how cool I thought it was when there Student Body officers came to my school, Highland High, and backed us when we were heading to the state playoffs. The got up in an assembly we were having, and told us of their support for us. I mean, how often does that happen?? It gave me a new perspective of them. Both my elementary and junior high schools were closed while I was attending them, and it never is easy to see that happen. High schools are even more dear to the hearts of those who attended them. Granite your school may be gone, but won't be forgotten!! You've left a great legacy behind!!

Cottonwood was the school that should have never been built. That money could have gone a long way to making a newer and better Granite High School as well as helping Olympus and other schools. Instead Granite District put 3 schools so close to each other that the only way for them to sustain each other was to priate students from Granite to sustain the "high ego" progams of Skyline and Cottonwood. Olympus has tasted that sour pill also. Priate buses travel from their boundaries also. Last week there were 2 poor step-sisters to Skyline and Cottonwood, now there is only one. Watch out Oly, as the population base diminishes and the district can no longer find enough students to bus from other schools, Olympus may be next to die.

Sentimentality aside, Granite High School should have been torn down several years ago.

Graduated 1965. Good old Granite High.
Back then it seems like we knew everybody from miles around that school.
Reo Thorum (sp) was the principle. Remember Della from the front desk?
What I wouldn't give to go back in time and relive some of those wonderful times.

Anonymous 8:01 and I were from the same era. Didn't get to graduate from Granite. Had two wonderful years there with my husband (53), but went on to be in the first graduating class of Olympus. Over the years have gone to all of the reunions and enjoyed reminiscing over those 'glory days'of the fantastic musicals, big band dances and Granite pride.

The report left me hanging as far as someone who's not familiar with Granite High... What do they plan to do with the building and facilities? Do they go into mothball status, will they try to sell the property to raise funds? How much money will it cost for school district to keep them up? There's a whole lot more to his story that hasn't been reported on. Yea, I'm sad for the students and memories. But c'mon -- include these other obvious details.

I graduated from Granite in 1997. I am sad that Granite is closing but understand it is necessary. But the good things I gained from Granite High will remain. Fortunately fond memories do not require brick buildings where they took place to sustain them.
-Gardner Gee