Wearing navy and crimson letterman jackets, jerseys, and other Bulldog swag, hundreds of students, alumni and families gathered at Garfield High School on Saturday to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
From abuelos and tías to younger siblings, generations of East L.A. families came to show love and honor the history and legacy of the institution, one rooted in pride and resilience.
For many, Garfield isn’t just a school; it’s a symbol of Eastside identity. Its students helped lead the Chicano Moratorium and 1968 student walkouts, and it was the backdrop of “Stand and Deliver,” the film that told the story of legendary Garfield High calculus teacher Jaime Escalante and his students.
“I didn’t realize how deep the history behind our community and our high school was until I went off to college,” Jasmine Escobedo said. “That pride in coming from this community, being from Garfield, where so much has been accomplished, I think it has been great to come back.”
A 2012 graduate and former drill team member, Escobedo joined the Garfield Bulldog Alumni Elite— a dance team of alumni dating back to the 1970s— for a performance on the recently upgraded football field.
Class of ‘03 member Amber Trento felt that being back on campus with her dance team was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends while upholding tradition. “We’re just here to relive our glory days and just be back on the field, creating new memories,” Trento said.
Cheerleaders, mariachis, folklorico dancers and Garfield’s marching band followed with performances, offering the students a chance to showcase their talent to scores of community members across the campus.
Freshman Sophia Velasco has only been a bulldog for a few weeks, but already recognizes what it means to be part of Garfield, her father’s former high school. Velasco, a dancer with the Aztec-inspired dance group on campus, Garfield High School Danza Mexica, was proud to represent her school during such a historic event.
”I think we’re a really good school because of our culture and the people who come here,” Velasco said, still wearing a bright-pink feathered headdress. “Every person I meet who came here or who is coming here, is a really great person, and I really feel like Garfield is the heart of East L.A.”
Vietnam War Veterans gathered around the Garfield High School Vietnam Era Monument, pointing at names and remembering times spent together before being drafted to serve. Elsewhere on campus, classmates from across decades reconnected and shared laughs, hugs, and memories from their time as Bulldogs.
Among them was 101-year-old Gloria Hudson, a member of the class of 1942 who hadn’t been back on campus in decades. Wearing a tiara and moving gracefully through crowds, Judson shook hands with current students and exchanged kind words with fellow alumni.
“My daughter, my granddaughter came here. It’s all family,” Hudson said, smiling.
Alfonso Orozco, class of 1968, came dressed to represent— in bright white pants, a cropped Garfield Bulldogs T-shirt and a leather vest. He carried his old yearbook under one arm.
“My favorite memory is, of course, the walkouts. It kind of opened up my eyes and it was something that I remember to this day and made a big impact on my life,” he said.
Orozco reflected on the legacy of student activism, calling those who came before and after him pioneers and “nothing but the best of its own.”
