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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-03-03, Page 17ssroacis Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, March 3, 1999 Page 17 Panthers come home in 2000 South Huron District High School will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2000 with its All Years Reunion By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Exeter's population could top 10,000 next summer. That's because the team planning South Huron District High School's 50th anniversary celebrations are hoping 6,000 or more former students and staff will return to the school for the building's 50th anniversary party, the All Years Reunion. The year 2000 also marks the 100th anniversary of high school education in Exeter, although 1899 marked the first teacher hired to teach high school in Exeter. "Being part of South The three day reunion is planned for June 30 -July 2, Huron history,), m 2000, and many of its proud to be a events will coincide with' Panther," Canada Day activities in . will attract many to register and they are planning a poster campaign. They also hope South Huron area families will con- tact their "far flung" relatives about the reunion. The committee is also seeking SHDHS memorabilia to be included in the histori- cal display. Old photos, articles, clothing and any other pieces of the past are sought for the display. "The older the better," Rowe said. Those wishing to have their SHDHS items included in the memorabilia dis- play are asked to call Dave McClure at 228-6219 or Peter Aunger at 235-2877. Also sought are any anecdotes former students and staff have. Wooden, a for- mer SHDHS teacher/principal, is writing a book on the history of the school. The book will hopefully be on sale during the reunion. Exeter. KENDRA ARTHUR Planning committee chairpersons Pat Rowe and Kendra Arthur said the idea came from school "I wanted to give back to the school for all the good memories it principal Deb Homuth and - gave me, her father, noted Exeter historian--a-6d author- Joe Wooden. "It's 2000," Rowe said with a smile. "It kind of snowballed from ,there." Although in the earliest of planning stages, Rowe and Arthur already have a handle on some of the events and attrac- tions that will be developed. There will be an opening wine and cheese registration and social on June 30, a pancake break- fast on Saturday morning, a memorabilia display at the school on Saturday and Sunday, a variety show, a dance, a teach- ers luncheon and some kind of closing ceremony on the Sunday. Also in the works are team sports reunions for wrestling, football and field hockey, The reunion will also piggyback on tra- ditional Canada Day activities in the town like the antique car show and fireworks. Rowe and Arthur have researched stag- ing such a large event. Mitchell held a similar reunion two years ago that attracted over 5,000 former students and staff. All former students and staff before and after the current building was built are invited to SHDHS's 2000 shindig, not just graduates. • But how will the town put up 6,000 visi- tors? Arthur said relatives living in the area will accommodate their returning family members and that many people that went to the school still live in the area or at least within driving range. The reunion committee is now creating a list of all former students and staff, but they need help. Former students and'staff. ace asked to either visit the Avon Maitland School Board's website at \vww.avonmaitland.ca (there are links to the SHDHS webpage and the reunion reg- istration form) or call Arthur at 235-4587 and leave your name, current address, years spent at the school and, a phone number. Registration .forms are also availablp at SHDHS, Exetet Town Hall, RSD Authentics, Health First and Ellison Travel. Rowe and Arthur hope word of mouth PAT ROWE PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS • • Volunteers are needed for a plethora of tasks. Call A. thur at the above number if interested in helping out. Arthur andRowe said it was easy making the deci- sion to tackle such an enormous task like staging a 6,000 strong reunion. "Being part of South Huron history, I'm proud to be a Panther," Arthur, an '86 graduate, said.. "I'm most Iooking forward to renewing old friend- ships." "I wanted to give back to the school for all the good memories it gave me," Rowe said. Rowe graduated from SHDHS in '62 and taught there from '71 till she retired last year. SHDHS's famous alumni include former NHL and still pro hockey defenceman Dave Shaw, provincial Community and Social Services Minister Janet Ecker, Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer, TV writer Tim Long (Late Night With David Letterman, The Simpsons), outgoing Nesbitt Burns Inc. (investments) presi- dent John MacNaughton, IBM senior vice- president Bill Etherington and Leslie Swartman who works in Prime Minister Jean Chretien's office. Memorable events at the school include hosting OFSAA field hockey in the fall of '94, the winter storm of '70-71 that had many students and staff stranded at the school for a few days and the addition (new gym, library more classrooms) com- pleted in '67. There have ' been many Panther sports dynasties. Doug Ellison's wrestling teams of the '70s won many OFSAA medals. Ellison, Ron Bogart and Dave Cox coached football powerhouses in the '70s and '80s. Jim Workman has coached Panther girls field hockey teams to sever- al top finishes at WOSSA and OFSAA since the late '70s. The girls gymnastics teams from the 'TOs and early '80s pro- duced many .top athletes under the tute- lage of Carey Eddy. Panther badminton was prominent in the late '70s and early '80s. Music has been a main focus at SHDHS as well. School bands under Bob Robilliard's wing have notched many kudos at competitions throughout south- ern Ontario. Ruth Claessens choirs and vocalists have also shared the spotlight. The Panthers have also excelled at the- atre arts under Pat Quigley and now Glenda Burrell. And SHDHS's Reach For The Top teams have showed SHDHS's mental prowess. The Huron -Perth champions in basketball, the senior and junior Panthers from South Ht,ron High (circa 1 963).Top photo, the seniors, front left: Roger Can, I, d, Neil Hamilton, Peter McFalls, coach Glenn Mickle; back left: Boh h " ,D .nis Mock, Steve Kyle,Wayne Currie, Janis Gulens, David Buci Hanan, uce Horton and Glenn Shipman.Absent is Dale Turvey. Bottom photo, the juniors, front left: Jim Kinrade, Larry Idle, David Dale, John Loch; back left: Bob Burns, Doug Huntley, Ricky Schroeder, Ron Motz,Wayne Baynham, Jim Coates, Brian Baynham and coach George Wright. / Historic winners. Here are the '50 (or '51) South Huron High Student Council award winners for outstanding service in school life honoured at that year's commencement. From left George Rether, Gordon Cann,Velma Ferguson, Jim Cann, Betty Mickle, Bill O'Brien, Janet Kestle, Murray May and Bill Mickle.Absent are Theresa Dietrich, Bonnie McFalls,Anita Datars, Frances Taylor and Helen Sweet. (photo/jack Doerr)