John Cullis has a lot of fond memories of Widdifield Senior Secondary; too many to choose just one.
The first-ever principal of the North Bay high school was on hand this morning for a Widdifield flag raising ceremony to mark the facility's 50th anniversary.
Back then Cullis recalls, a lot of students attended whose parents were stationed at CFB North Bay.
“In the Air Force, the idea was that you don’t get into trouble. So if we had to mention, ‘do we have to bring your Dad in on this?’ The answer was always ‘no, no no, we will look after it,’” said Cullis to the media after the flag ceremony.
“It was really wonderful because I don’t remember a single bad situation with the Air Force kids,” added the colourful former Principal who wouldn’t share his age, only stating he was “over 85”.
One of those kids happened to be North Bay Mayor Al McDonald, who recalls meeting up with Principal Cullis on a pair of occasions in his office more than 35 years ago.
“It’s wonderful to see Mr. Cullis and former teachers that were here. They wanted the best for me and all my fellow students when I was here and you really recognize it years later. So great to see Mr. Cullis and all the teachers that were here, taught me, and gave me a foundation for the future,” said McDonald.
“I’m very proud of this school, and I’m proud to say that I was a Wildcat all those years --- very proud of all the students that have gone on to so many great things to build our community, to build our city, that represent us in the Olympics, on the ice, in the Grey Cup. I’m so very proud to be a Wildcat and always a Wildcat.”
The flag raising is the official start to 50th anniversary celebrations which include a reunion set for mid May of 2016.
“This day is a kick-off really for the whole celebration of being a Wildcat, and this building has such a rich tradition of education and a rich tradition of excellence and really giving back to the community. I think you see that today our community came out really to support the current students and our current staff and to celebrate what it is to become a Wildcat,” said current Principal Lisa O’Kane.
