Memorabilia

This weekend was a heavy one. 

     They have recently decided to tear down my old high school with plans to rebuild a bigger conglomerate school to house students from two of the high schools in my hometown. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but after coming from a fairly strict private elementary school where every single move we made was monitored and scrutinized, going to this high school and really being able to spread my wings on my own terms (with an appropriate amount of support) was a hugely shaping experience in my life. So many life skills I now consider my strong suits were developed and nurtured in that environment by amazing teachers who knew just how much to push and how much to let me figure out for myself. I met some amazing people (teachers, students, and staff alike) who have impacted many of my life decisions in a big way. And so it saddens me that this place where so many special memories were created will no longer exist. Of course, I will carry the memories with me, but if yesterday's school closing event was any indication, many of them will eventually be lost until they have a stimulus to revive them, and with the school building no longer there, I'm afraid a lot of them may be lost for good. I'm so glad I made the effort to attend.
    Since I was six years old, my mom has sung with a group run by one of the (now former) teachers, and I attended many a practice of theirs in that building. I was also involved with the high school group's productions (in the kids' chorus) from a young age, so I probably know a larger range of students than most. When the time came for me to go to high school I made an effort to get very involved in extracurriculars, something that I feel made all the difference in my high school experience. From soccer to badminton to cheerleading in grade nine, I started expanding relationships and making my footprint. I ended up continuing with cheerleading all the way through, something that really grew my leadership skills as I ended up taking on a strong leadership role on the team. I did well academically, as well, and had a good relationship with most of the teachers there. There were several to make a lasting impression on me whether from their quirky antics or from their compassionate, mentoring nature.
     Anyway, yesterday, students and teachers from 52 years of our high school's history got together one last time to relive memories and chat with old friends. The speeches at the closing ceremonies were emotional and touching. I am so glad I went and was able to see people - some for the first time in ten years since we'd graduated! While some trophies and awards were being saved to be displayed at the new school, many things were being auctioned off. I was fortunate to win a pair of pom poms as a tribute to my cheerleading career, and since two of my main bases were also in attendance, we busted out one last cheerleading stunt (nothing major since, believe it or not, I'm not 110 pounds anymore). ;)

My ex-highschool sweetheart and one of my best friends since kindergarten
(neither of which I have seen in over five years)

Mel and I in front of the school's mascot mural in the gym

Me (and the girls) in front of my grade 12 locker

Watching former students from a range of graduating years all reunite for a 'band jam' 

♥ Thanks for the memories ♥ 

  While I try not to be a hoarder, I often do rely on physical things to bring back memories, so they are important to me in that manner. I still have several of my own memorabilia from when I graduated (year books from all four years, my student of the month plaques and MVP awards, my day planner from grade 12 with all the ridiculous notes in it, and even some class notes I found tonight), so I will still have those (along with my pom poms now) to be able to look back and remember. I had the time of my life for those four years, and it will certainly be sad when the school is torn down, but I hope that the new school will be able to bring as much to it's new students as mine did for me.

P.S. Here is a blurb I wrote on the facebook page for the event (just so I have a copy of it somewhere):

Although I have been back to visit several times since I graduated, yesterday will still hold a special place for me. It was so great to see so many former students and staff and to celebrate the school and what it meant to everyone collectively. 

Teachers that had a special influence on me: 

Mrs. Neal - among just being generally 'the cool, new, young teacher' I have many fond memories of you. I remember in grade 11(?) drama we were working on something and were falling behind schedule and you made a disclaimer one day that you were now going to be "a ..... think of another word, think of another word.... SUPER MEAN LADY" until we got through whatever it was we were working on. hahaha ♥ I also remember you lending your ear while I sat in your classroom one day way after school and totally unloaded on you about my parents, while I am sure you had better things to be doing. But these are things that set you apart. ♥

Mrs. Nelsons - amiable and friendly. Will never forget her advice while we were complaining about our marks not being high enough to be able to get into our university of choice to "just go to the University of Timbuctoo for basketweaving, or whatever, and apply for a transfer the following year." So sensible. ;) That, and her love of candy Rockets. 

Mr. Wylie - While trying to teach us how the voting system works in Civics class, attempted to illustrate the ridings in Ontario on the blackboard. The drawing ended up looking much more like a penis than the province when he was done, and we were all snickering. He finally turns around and demands to know what was so funny, takes a step back from the board and realizes. The best part was that he went along with it, and laughing, said, "Oh so, I guess I should add two more ridings down here?" adding two somewhat circular ridings underneath. ;)

Mr. Winchester - caught Jaimie McAffee and me "roaming" the halls (aka going to the bathroom) when we were supposed to be in grade 9 tech class, and proceeded to tell us that there was a closer bathroom to our classroom we should have been using. We told him there was never any soap in that bathroom, which is why we had chosen the next closest one (all true), and later he came back to our class to inform us that he had a custodian check and there indeed WAS soap in that bathroom. 

Mr. Graham - lots of memories of just his happy face around the school, but also: The Parabola Dance. And one day when I was back for a visit, I introduced my then-boyfriend-now-husband and he said, "Hi, I'm her boyfriend, Dave!" 

Mr. Munday - his perfect blackboard writing and super uptightness on lab days. baha.

Mr. Bolger - quizzes every. single. day. in "OAC colouring" 
(aka Kinesiology and the muscle/ bone colouring pages)

Mr. Wilson - always in Spandex and known to break out in song mid 'O Canada'

Mr. Wilkins - grade 11 & 12 biology... SPROOOONNNNNGGGGG (tertiary enzyme formation?) But also inspiring me to pursue my love of biology in university. :)

Mrs. McKelvey - had her for 3 out of 4 years of English, and was so grateful as I always felt her teaching style was so much more organized and easier to follow for my math/science-brained self than the other English teachers I'd had. I also loved when she'd tell us stories about her kids, made her so much more personable. :)

Mrs. Sinclair - loved the food class she taught - use many of the things I learned in that class on a daily/ weekly basis. And while it didn't get me ahead academically per se, some of my favourite/ useful classes I took in high school and through university were the humanities. Hooray for life-relevant classes!

Thank you for an amazing four life-shaping years, even with all the ups and downs, I wouldn't change a thing. ♥