Lester B. Pearson Collegiate alumni, teachers and students gathered Oct. 18 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the high school.
Decade rooms, a “Meet the Teacher” lounge, a BBQ, musical performances and a basketball game with the “old timers” versus the current senior boys basketball team were all part of the one day event.
Proceeds from the BBQ will be going to a Lester B. Pearson Scholarship Fund.
Peter Paulseth, who has been principal of the high school for two years, said the anniversary was a good opportunity for the school.
“I think things like this help build community and as principal I’d like to see an active alumni association,” he said. “It could help with scholarships and co-op placements.”
Jamal Ward, a Pearson alum who graduated in 2006, came to the anniversary of the school highly anticipating playing in the basketball game.
“It’s a pretty good feeling, it’s been a long time since we got to play in this gym and a lot of my friend’s play for this team, my younger brothers and his friends played for this team so it’s going to be a good game,” he said, adding he hoped to triumph over the current senior boys basketball team.
While the “old timers” defeated the current basketball team with a two point win, fellow alumni Sheldon Allong also said that while winning would be nice, one of the main reasons he had enjoyed high school was because of his days on the basketball team.
“It feels good to be back,” he said. “I have a lot of memories here because this was my high school for four years and definitely basketball was one of my fondest memories.
Vinton Haughton, a 1991 graduate, agreed with Allong’s sentiments.
“My fondest memory of Pearson, honestly, I’d probably have to say my years on the basketball team,” he said.”I mean everything here, the discipline, the commitment, it just actually really sets you up for life in the sense of what you take from the basketball court you use that in real life, work, world and relationships.”
Haughton said that while he came back to play with the alumni, the main reason he came back was to see old faces.
“I just thought it would be a nice way to get together and see faces that you haven’t seen for years,” Haughton said.
Business teacher Joyce Kucharski was anxiously waiting in the “Meet the Teachers” lounge to see old students and colleagues.
“I came here in 1989 and I’ve been happy teaching here,” she said adding, “Yes I am very much [excited to be here] that’s why I’m the first one here.”
Frances McLaren is an ESL teacher who has been at Pearson for 21 years. She hoped for a good turnout and was especially looking forward to seeing old faces.
“Well I think it’s a great idea it’s a wonderful opportunity for people to be able to come back and see each other … and what we’re doing these days.”