Merivale High School Celebrates 50 Years of Educational Excellence

** Merivale ** ** ** ** High School ** ** Celebrates ** ** 50 Years of Educational Excellence ** ** 50th ** ** Reunion ** ** Thursday, October 9 ** ** 10:15 a.m. ** ** 1755 Merivale Rd. ** Canada got a new flag; The Stone Angel by Margaret Lawrence and The Circle Game by Margaret Atwood were on book shelves; the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup; the BC Lions beat the Hamilton Tiger Cats 34-24 to win the Grey Cup; the average yearly income was $5,800; a new home cost between $8,900 - $17, 900 and a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III Sedan costs $16,655; but the biggest news in education in Ottawa was that a new high school was opening – that school was Merivale High School and it turns 50 this year!

Merivale alumni, present-day students, politicians, friends, family and neighbours will converge on the Merivale Rd. facility to celebrate 50 years of excellence in education over four days. The festivities get underway on

Thursday, October 9

commencing at

10:15

in the morning.  The day starts with all students and staff commemorating the anniversary in pictures.  OCDSB Trustee Blackburn, Mayor Watson and Councillor Egli will commemorate the event with a certificate of recognition.  This will be followed by a tree planting ceremony at the front of the school.  Two trees will be planted - one in honour of alumni and one in honour of the current student body.  Student council will then present the time capsules that will be locked away for the next generation to review.

Teacher, Ann Stockford says, “This is a weekend to allow all alumni to reconnect and reminisce with old friends.  We have created an environment that will provide alumni with a walk down memory lane – complete with decade rooms to see old pictures, the popular toys and gadgets of the decade, hear the music of the era and muse over the news of that time.”

Friday

night will include a staff social to allow all staff the opportunity to reminisce and celebrate the many student and staff successes.  This will be followed by a pub night.  Decade rooms will be open, as will the gym and cafeteria.  Food will be served by renowned Ottawa restaurateur - Dave Smith.

On Saturday

, there will be an alumni volleyball tournament, field hockey game, activities for the children of alumni, a performance by the reunion band and attendees can browse through the decade rooms.  The day will end with a Gala Dinner at Tudor Hall with the Dirt Road Band performing.  The weekend celebration will come to an end on the golf course

on Sunday

– weather permitting.

Ms. Stockford added that any funds raised over the weekend will be used to establish a Merivale Alumni Scholarship to assist the next generation of students and to provide funds for the next reunion.  She said, “This event is happening in great part due to the generous donations from local businesses, unwavering support from school administration and our trustee.”  The Merivale Reunion Committee has been working on this project for two years and its members are a hard working, committed group of volunteers dedicated to marking the 50th anniversary of a world-class high school.

For detailed information on the Reunion please http://www.merivale50.myevent.com