Albert Crawford
Class of 1953Albert shares his family's legacy at the school. His son and two daughters also graduated from Manual. Albert participated in track and worked part-time during school. He spent 42 years at Public Service, doing various jobs including converting propane to natural gas. Albert fondly remembers his teachers and coaches at Manual, emphasizing the positive impact the school had on his life. Despite a challenging childhood, Albert found stability and success, crediting Manual for providing him with valuable skills that he used throughout his career.
Carl Pigford
Class of 1953Carl, as well as his seven brothers and sisters graduated from Manual. Basketball was his sport at Manual and he went on to play college basketball. Carl’s athletic legacy is memorialized in The Great Book of Denver Sports. In 1972, he established the first Black-owned commercial construction supply company, a successful business he operated for over 30 years. Carl’s parents were devoted to Manual and set up the Lottie Johnson Pigford and Joseph Pigford Scholarship fund to support graduating seniors at Manual. Carl continued the tradition by managing the fund. He passed away in January of 2024. We are lucky to have been able to record his story.
Don Gatewood
Class of 1957Don talks about the burning of the old Manual building and construction of the new school, his family members attending, extracurricular activities like track, football and choir, and highlights of his time at Manual. Manual was a great school because everyone lived close to each other. Don excelled in track and was All-State in 1957. He went on to teach high school and coach for 30 years. Manual won the state track meet under head coach Gatewood in 1974.
Marge Yamada Taniwaki
Class of 1959Marge shared her family history, including two siblings and a daughter attending Manual. She recounted her family's relocation to Denver after being incarcerated in an internment camp in California during WWII. Due to redlining (minorities forced to live in designated neighborhoods in Denver), the family moved into the Five points neighborhood. Despite difficulties faced by Japanese-Americans, Marge fondly remembered her time at Manual and the impact of caring teachers.
