The 50th Anniversary Celebration officially got underway Thursday night with the staff members social at the Bull & Quench where all current and former teachers, secretaries, maintenance crew, and coaches gathered to catch up with one and other before the former students converge on the school this weekend.
Reunion Chair Brian Risk, who has been working full tilt on the reunion plans for the past two years, says the whole process has been enlightening and uplifting.
“Our team of people have been working around the clock and the school is in great shape, the Gardens is in great shape, we’re sold out 100 percent for Saturday night, we’re close to sold out for Friday night and we’re ready to go it’s going to be great.”
“It’s really quite incredible being on both sides of the fence, being an alumni and being a staff member and being one to the organisers, I get to see the whole process come together … we’re seeing the exhibits go up, seeing photos from the 70’s and the 80’s and recalling students.”
“One of our teachers just put up seating plans that he’s kept for the last 30 years and they are up all around the classroom and so you see the handwritten names that the students put in and the memories just flood back … it’s a wonderful experience.”
With alumni from all around the globe, including China, South Korea, Australia, United States and Canada returning home to the Bay to celebrate and recapture part of their youth, Risk says there are plenty of events for everyone to partake in. Especially for those folks who may not have purchased tickets for all of the events.
“The great thing about reunions is when people return to school because as soon as you walk in the building memories flood back, and that’s what it is all about.”
“So certainly on Saturday afternoon and on Friday there’s ample time for people to come into the building and have a look at the pictures. We’ve got all kinds of heritage exhibits set up, we have assemblies to go, we’ve got activities going on it is going to be a hub of activity.”
And when the lights come on after the DJ plays Stairway to Heaven the customary last song for any high school dance, Risk wants everyone to walk away full of good memories.
“I want them to have warm memories of what went on here and to really embrace the pleasure of lifelong friends, because that is what they will come back to see are just lifelong friends.”
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12:00 pm Registration open from 12-9:00pm at Memorial Gardens
12:00 pm Heritage exhibits open and school tours begin (12-4pm)
12-5pm School is open
12:00 pm Art Displays in the school
5-12am Wine and Cheese Social at Memorial Gardens
5-8pm Silent auction at Memorial Gardens
10:00 pm Friday Night at the Clubs begins
Don Cherry's - Classes of 1958-1969
Bull & Quench - Classes of 1970-1979
Leo's (formally Fionn McCool's) - Classes of 1980-1989
Cecil's (formally Wylder's) - Classes of 1990-2008
9:00 am Registration opens at Chippewa 9am to 4pm.
9:00 am Fun Run (meet at the gym)
9:00 am Heritage Exhibits open till 4pm
9:00 am Art Displays open
9:30 am Mountain Bike tour - meet at Pipeline Road off North Shore Road
9:30 am Show and Shine (cars and bikes) in lower courtyard.
10:00 am Basketball & volleyball events
12:00 pm Golf at High View (shot gun start)
12:00 pm Volleyball event
12:00 pm Lunch services (M&M Meats, BBQ, Pizza in court yard)
1:30 pm 50 Years of Raider Spirit Assembly in Auditorium
1:00 pm Badminton event in gym
4:00 pm Heritage and art exhibits close
5:00 pm Dinner at Memorial Gardens (bar open at 5pm)
5:00pm Silent Auction 5-9pm
9:00pm Dance starts at gardens
Evening Party at Memorial Gardens
7:00 am Pancake Breakfast at Chippewa (open 7-11am)
9am-12 Heritage and Art Displays
12:00 am End of reunion activities
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