What a meeting it would be between current Snowbirds pilot Capt. Ave Pyne, who flew over Clover Point in 2015, and Saanich pioneer Kenneth McKenzie, former owner of the land on which Reynolds secondary school stands.
Pyne is just one of the many recognizable identities who’ve come through Reynolds in its 50-year existence and, though Pyne’s attendance is yet to be confirmed, there will be a Reynolds silver scarf announced in his honour during the school’s 50th anniversary celebration weekend, May 12 to 14.
“Past grads are invited to join those already committed to the Friday open house, the Saturday alumni soccer game, Saturday evening event and Sunday Mother’s Day band concert,” said teacher Dean Norris-Jones, who’s been at Reynolds since 1988 (yes that’s more than half the school’s history).
Norris-Jones is part of a five-person committee that’s organizing the week and an example of the school’s deep connection to the community. He’s helped co-ordinate the student-led Reynolds Tour de Rock, Cops for Cancer fundraising effort that has now brought in $725,000 in the past 12 years.
As part of the celebration about 15 grads, such as B.C. NDP leader John Horgan, will be commemorated with a silver scarf, Norris-Jones said.
“We’ve had a lot of grads who went on to achieve a great many accomplishments, so whether Horgan can make it or not, he’ll be among those invited to receive a scarf,” Norris-Jones said.
“Again, it’s a busy week for B.C. politicians so we don’t know if Horgan will be there but he’ll get one too.”
Over the past decade the school has created a ‘scarf culture’ where even the school’s more common blue and white scarves are something earned.
Today, Reynolds secondary sits on land that was farmed for nearly a century, originally purchased by the Hudson Bay Company’s McKenzie, the pioneer who established Craigflower Schoolhouse and farmhouse.
Norris-Jones is putting out the call for to alumni to come out for any and all of the events, starting with the Friday night open house, 6 to 10 p.m. on May 12, which will feature a cash bar and tours of the school by current students.
Please RSVP to contact@reynolds50.ca for the open house so organizers will know how many tour guides to have on hand. There will also be photo displays, videos, artifacts, live music and of course, a chance to run into old friends.
Students are also designing posters depicting fads by-the-decade, dating back to the 1960s.
The Saturday alumni soccer game is also free, while the Saturday evening event is $20 ticket with live music by former Reynolds music grads as well as recordings by Reynolds musicians.
To join the soccer game or alumni band contact soccer coach J.J. Atterbury at jratterbury@sd61.bc.ca or band leader Dave Flello at dflello@sd61.bc.ca.
Visit reynolds50.ca for more information.
reporter@saanichnews.com