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Our Highline Family lost a local hero late last month. Former
Highline Superintendent Carl Jensen passed away November
21 at the age of 97. Mr. Jensen was superintendent for 18 years,
from 1953 to 1971.
Carl Jensen, perhaps the most respected and best loved leader in
Highline history, made a powerful impact on Highline. He
brokered the deal to purchase Camp Waskowitz without district
funds by taking out a loan that was repaid within a few years by
subletting the camp. Mr. Jensen became a national pioneer of
outdoor education; his 1947 documentary Classroom in the
Cascades was sent to every state office of education in the
country as a model for public school supported outdoor
education.
Mr. Jensen remained committed to promoting and protecting Camp
Waskowitz until his death. He would often show up unexpectedly
at Waskowitz, where he would receive standing ovations from
students and teachers when introduced. This September, he drove
to camp to show a group of visitors around the facility.
Mr. Jensen also founded the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center
and was instrumental in establishing Highline Community College,
The Pacific Science Center, and the NW Regional Educational
Laboratory.
Mr. Jensen did not want a memorial service. Instead, he wanted a
reunion picnic at his beloved Camp Waskowitz. The picnic in his
honor will be held in the spring; we will announce the date when
it is set
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