Reunion Details

Speaking of high school... I just received the details for our Class of 1996 reunion:

Terry Fox Senior Secondary School
Class of 1996
10th Year Reunion

February 24th, 2007
Carnoustie Golf Club
533 Dominion Avenue
Port Coquitlam, B.C.

6:30pm to midnight
Appetizers will be served at 7:00pm

$35.00 per person

Contact:
Erica Cardas
(604) 460-9524
foxgrad96@hotmail.com

Deadline for reservation is December 15th, 2006

Class of '96

Reading my friend Shannan's blog I couldn't help but feel nostalgic myself and compelled to blog about our high school years some. I can hardly believe it has already been 10 years since our class took our first steps into the "real world". And thinking back on my two years at Terry Fox Secondary, and earlier, my three at George Pearkes Junior (now Minnekada Middle School), I can say I had a good (high school) experience.

Now, one only ever hears about "this shooting" or "that shooting", or a "gunman opened fire at...". And this could not be further from the realms of possibility when I was in high school. I can't believe, even for our Class of 1996, I can say those days were "simpler" - sounds like something you expect your parents to say of their high school days in the 60s! But they were! I remember, the biggest "shock" or reason for mourning that ever took place may have been the sudden passing of a friend from a car accident or an unexpected suicide.

But I enjoyed reading Shan's blog entry, because it brought back a lot of memories. "HAGS" or Have a Great Summer, was as easily dispensed by friends in their yearbook comments, as were french fries for the many I knew (including myself) who worked in the fast food industry for after-school and summer jobs.

I can smile when I think of my close friends on the Tennis Team. We had a legecy didn't we?? I for one feel we (Class of '96) placed Terry Fox on the BC provincial high school tennis map. Wins were not always easy, but the sport and camaraderie we all had made for memories I will take with me forever. (oh and of which I cannot wait to share with my son when he is a bit older) :-p

But tennis was only just a part of my experience. Multicultural Club, where y'all at?? Holla back! Ha ha ha ha.. good times! And of course there was Art class and Biology and Math. Many great teachers. I wonder how they are all doing now?

Those days, I can remember truly looking up to the students more senior to me. Those were the days where students, for the most part, respected teachers, and each other. One memory I have was when my sister, Sharon, two years my senior, was a junior at Terry Fox (I was still at George Pearkes Jr.). I was roaming the halls of Terry Fox one weekend during a basketball tournament. I could hear sounds of the referees whistles, squeeking rubber shoes on the gym floor from players jostling for position, a generally low rumble in the stands, and the occasional buzzer sound from the scorer's table, all at a distance while I walked the dark hallways, not feeling alone (far from it), looking up at portraits of past years' sportsmen and women lining the tops of the lockers. I can say I looked up to those student athletes.

Looking ahead, I feel a bit uncertain for Ethan. I wouldn't mind enrolling him in schools like Terry Fox or George Pearkes, but do such schools even exist anymore? Should I consider home-schooling with the current state of our public schools? What is Montessori, and is this truly a better approach to teaching your children? Lots to read and plan about for sure.

But I look forward to hearing of a 10-year reunion. It is unlikely I will be able to attend, but there are more than a few people I would wish to hear from and know of their whereabouts.