Hayward High’s Mini Museum

Isn’t it fascinating to have school treasure artifacts from years ago? Well, here in Hayward High there are yearbooks, newspapers, journals, books, and many more artifacts you can see at our school library! Mrs. Sheryle Gray, who was the librarian here for nearly 25 years, started the Hayward High Mini Museum back in 2014 before she retired.

Meet Ms. Walker

Ms. Maya Walker is the library staff member who helps take care of the Hayward High Mini Museum today. She started working at Hayward High in 2015 and has been helping students and keeping the museum going ever since. Even though she didn’t start the museum, she works hard to keep it organized and make sure people can enjoy it.

The museum includes yearbooks from as far back as the early 1900s, old diplomas, DTR uniforms, a letterman jacket, photos from past school events, records from music students, and even programs from funerals of students and staff. “I’ve got a closet full of traditional stuff,” Ms. Walker said. “So I rotate things out every now and then.”

Ms. Walker has been working at Hayward High since January 2015. “I love working in the library because it’s right in the center of campus,” she said. “I get to help students and staff with research, support reading, and make sure our space reflects the diversity of Hayward High.” Her journey in library services began right after college. She started at the Hayward Public Library, then worked at Chabot College in the Daraja Program (now the Umoja Program for African American students). Later, she ran a literacy program at a community center in South Hayward, helping local students and working with supervising interns from Tennyson High.

Ms. Walker also spent time in elementary schools, working at Burbank Elementary’s library and running after-school programs at
Cherryland Elementary‘s Youth Enrichment Program. After six years, she moved up to Hayward High.

One of her favorite parts of the job is maintaining the Hayward High Mini Museum in the library. “Hayward High, which used to be called Hayward Union High, is the oldest high school in the area. It opened in 1892,” she said. “The museum helps students and staff learn about that history.”

Although Ms. Walker takes care of the museum today, she didn’t start it. “That credit goes to Mrs. Sheryle Gray, who was the librarian here for nearly 25 years,” she said. “She started the museum in 2014, the year she retired. She raised money from alumni and even sold bricks with people’s names engraved on them that are still out in front of the school. The Hayward Area Historical Society also supported the project.”

Even though she’s been retired for over ten years, Mrs. Gray is still involved with the museum and alumni events. There’s even a plaque inside the museum dedicated to her.

Ms. Walker also mentioned that a small group of students is interested in starting a Hayward High Historical Society. “If any students want to be involved—learning more about the school’s past and sharing it with others—just let me know,” she said.

Email Ms. Walker if you are interested!

mewalker@husd.k12.ca.us

The mini museum is open any time the library is open: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students can stop by during nutrition, lunch, or after school. Staff are always welcome, too!