It was the year of the moon landing, Woodstock and the end of high school for the grads of 1969 at New Westminster Secondary School.
Fifty years later, the students who bid adieu in the final year of the ’60s are getting together for a reunion at NWSS – one of the last for the high school before it’s torn down.
“We’ve sold all the tickets that we anticipated based on what previous 50 year reunions have done,” Judi Clark, a member of the reunion committee, told the New Westminster Record.
The committee used Facebook, personal phone calls and emails, Googling and word of mouth to connect with former students, she said.
They’re expecting between 120 and 130 people.
“It’s nothing formal, it’ll be a meet and mingle,” Clark said. “Because it’s been 50 years – one of our classmates is coming out from PEI – and people haven’t seen her in years. People want a chance to talk and reconnect.”
People are also coming from the United States, Vancouver Island, other parts of B.C. and Alberta, she said.
The event is more than just an opportunity for old friends to get together – it’s a fundraiser, as well, according to Clark.
“We have the jazz band from the school is going to do a performance, which is just great. The music auxiliary will run a wine and beer bar, and the proceeds from that go the music auxiliary,” she said. “The Lions Club is going to bring in a truck and do a barbecue. And what we like about that is proceeds from that will go to the charities that Lions Club supports.”
There will also be tours of the school, led by Leadership Program students.
“Part of the proceeds from our ticket sales will go to the leadership program, but the majority of the proceeds will go to the music program because they’re putting on a performance,” she added.
It has taken a lot of time and energy to get the event to come together, according to Clark.
“All of us on the committee have had some anxious moments but I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I think we’ve done a good job, giving back to the community and at the same time providing an opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle.”
There will be a memorial slideshow of students who have died, so they can be remembered and honoured by their graduating class.
A special guest is making an appearance at the event – Canadian soul singer Jayson Hoover, who performed at the graduation celebration back in ’69 with his band at the time, the Epics.
Hoover, who has since retired, was a well-known front man at the time, performing at many high school grad celebrations and other venues, he said.
Jayson Hoover is the performing name of Gerald Henderson.
“My mother was a singer,” he said, adding she was based in Regina but travelled and sang all over. Her brothers were also professional singers.
Hoover is the subject of a film that is in the works, The Trial.
The reunion takes place on June 15 from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Pearson Cafeteria at New Westminster Secondary School.
