For years they stood to honor their alma mater and pledge their love sincere.
Last week, their alma mater returned the love with honors, awards and cheers.
Island residents Bobbie Stern and Paul Malakoff were inducted into the Garfield High School Hall of Fame at the annual Golden Grads luncheon Saturday in Seattle.
“Their life work has brought them this honor,” Garfield Gold Grad president Lynn Jaffe told the crowd before inducting the trio, which included Class of ’61 alum Robert J. Flowers.
Malakoff, an Islander of nearly 50 years who graduated from Garfield in 1954, has volunteered in the Big Brother program and served on the board of Congregation Herzl Ner-Tamid.
Along with his classmates, he also helped establish a scholarship program at Garfield, awarding 60 scholarships to Garfield seniors.
“It’s pretty special,” Malakoff said of being inducted. “I love this place.”
Stern has also lived on Mercer Island for nearly 50 years and graduated from Garfield in 1960. She has been involved with the City of Hope and 20 years ago, founded the Densho project, a nonprofit organization that set out to document oral histories from Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II.
The Hall of Fame induction fell on Stern’s 74th birthday, though she was quick to dismiss the latter detail. What was important to her was connecting with old friends and bringing her family to share in the moment.
“My years at Garfield High School gave me the confidence that I had to do the things I did,” she said. “It prepared me for all the things I accomplished in the community.”
Stern was nominated by her friend and fellow Garfield grad Penny Fukui, who graduated a year after her in 1961. Stern attributed her inspiration for founding Densho to Fukui, saying Fukui educated her about the Japanese internment that happened during World War II. At a reunion 20 years ago, Fukui approached Stern wanting to become more involved in the nonprofit community.
“She motivated me to do what I do best,” Stern said. “I put the people together. I get the biggest pleasure out of putting great people together and they create something even greater.”
Stern admitted she initially didn’t know a lot about Japanese culture when they began. But this September, the organization will host its 20th anniversary gala.
“It’s amazing what you can do,” she said. “It only takes one person to rock all the boats in the harbor.”
For those unsure of the difference one can make, Stern said she relies on a quote from the Dalai Lama.
“If you think you are too small to make a difference,” she relayed, “try sleeping with a mosquito.”
