Glenlawn to hold 100th reunion celebrations

St. Vital

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This article was published 08/02/2023 (985 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Three key figures in the history of Glenlawn Collegiate are among those working hard to make sure the school’s community celebrates its 100th anniversary in style.

The St. Vital-based high school is preparing to hold its 100th anniversary celebration reunion, which will include a number of events to mark the historic occasion, between Thursday, May 18 and Sunday, May 21 (just prior to the Victoria Day holiday on Mon., May 22).

The combination of scheduled events has been designed to provide all concerned with an exciting experience that fuses the past and present, and as its title suggests, the reunion will give those involved more than one or two strolls down memory lane. As its website states, the reunion will provide an opportunity to “reconnect with people and places that were an important part of your journey to become who you are today.”

“This was my favourite school,” said former Glenlawn principal Wayne Ruff, who was also a teacher at the school.

“There was something special about the place — the students, the staff, the whole community. It was like a magnet. It was interesting to see the landscape transition from a rural to a more urban setting, and when the board changed the boundaries, it meant more kids came to Glenlawn,” he added.

Ruff believes the school — located at 770 St. Mary’s Rd. — has the best fine arts and performing arts programs in the city, which will be theme of one of the reunion events.

A program at Rainbow Stage on the evening of May 18 will feature a celebration of the arts through the years, featuring performances by school alumni who have gone on to excel in music and drama, as well as performances by current students.

The reunion lineup also includes an open house at the school on May 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will showcase ‘decade rooms’ created by current Glenlawn students, who have been researching the history of the school and the local community.

There will be two events on May 20, at one venue — Dakota Community Centre. The first, scheduled for 6 to 9:30 p.m., is a wine and cocktail gathering, where old friends will be able to enjoy a few drinks. The second, in true Manitoba fashion, is a 100th anniversary social, slated to run from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

To wrap things up on May 21, there will be an ecumenical church service, with details to be announced.

Irene Nordheim, another former Glenlawn teacher and principal, said the school is notable for many reasons, not least the collective diversity of its population and how former students sometimes find their way back there professionally.

“It shows the power of socio-economic diversity and cultural diversity. The school’s community has been heterogenous for so many years, where everyone builds on each other’s strengths,” Nordheim said, acknowledging all the effort put into organizing the reunion by Ruff and Tom McCormack.

Arpena Babaian, a former teacher and vice-principal at Glenlawn, fondly remembers how Glenlawn provided a supportive haven for students that fostered their respective interests.

“Every school has gym rats, but we also had industrial arts rats and kids that found a place in a work program,” Babaian said.

“For kids that maybe lacked a bit of confidence, or felt a bit isolated, this program not only gave them academics, but also sent them out to local businesses. It gave you such pride to go to a place like Dynamic Auto and see a student at work.”

Tickets are available separately or as one all-inclusive pass. Visit glenlawn100.com for info, ticket prices, or to register.