GHS alumni celebrate shuttered school’s centennial

The 100th anniversary party may have been held in West Philadelphia, but there was no question the grand ballroom was bursting with Germantown High School pride.

On Saturday night, a black bear — the shuttered school’s mascot — welcomed nearly 300 alumni as they celebrated their alma mater’s centennial.

The stuffed bear also starred in more than a couple selfies. “Once a bear, always a bear” read a backdrop behind the bear, which stood inside GHS before budget cuts closed it in 2013.

The bittersweet event, which featured yearbook signings and plenty of dancing, drew GHS alumni from 40 different classes, including ones from as far back as 1941. More recent graduates, however, were nowhere to be found.

During her speech on Saturday, Margaret Mullen, one of GHS’ last principals, said she plans on attending the graduations of the freshmen who were displaced by the closure and will graduate this year from other schools.

The majority of students transferred to nearby Martin Luther King High School in West Oak Lane.

“My heart still bleeds green,” said Mullen.

A Maryland-based company has bid $6.8 million for a package of closed Philadelphia schools, including GHS. The sale is still pending.