June 9, 2022, alumni gathered to connect and to share a few laughs. Irene Harrison, ‘Chief Reunion Organizer’ for the Class of 1955, ensured everything ran smoothly, and engaged alumni in a decision to donate reunion surplus funds to the Alumni to help restore the Vic High War Memorials.

Vic High Class of ’55 Celebrates 65th, Two Years Late

by Irene Harrison

All plans were in place to celebrate our 65^th anniversary of our June 10^th graduation in 1955. As the Class of ’55 has celebrated on June 10^th for over 45 years, we were all looking forward to our “Big 65^th” being held on June 10^th, 2020. There were grads coming from Ontario, New Jersey, Washington State, Okanagan, Greater Vancouver, Qualicum and Nanaimo. Then, the pandemic hit.  All plans were off in the hopes of holding it in 2021.  Of course, that did not happen so plans were made for 2022.  As our members aged, we changed from a dinner to lunches for the past eight celebrations.  It was also easier for those who do not like to go out in the evening and also for those on the mainland and the island to travel in the morning and early afternoon.

As June 10^th fell on a Friday this year, the date was changed to June 9^th for easier travel.  As I contacted our grad list by email and those without email by telephone, I was sad to find out how many had passed away or were in ill health since our last contact two years ago.  With air travel and long lineups at airports, more were not planning to attend this year. The good news!  There were 37 in attendance at our lunch held at the Days Inn Banquet room on Gorge Road.  Some were spouses of grads and two were widows of grads who still wanted to stay connected with our fun group.

We shared so many memories looking at two tables of past reunion pictures.  Some pictures were “who is this person, I can’t remember their name”.  One picture was the original five ladies who met for lunch after a late-night call from Astrid Doidge saying “Do you know what tomorrow is? It is June 10^th, we have to get together for lunch.”  One attendee asked who I was.  He was told “It is Irene”.  He answered “She sure has changed since graduation”.  That was 67 years ago! 

After a couple of years some of the men found out how much fun we were having and asked if they could be invited.  From there it grew to having over 60 attending our June 10^th dinners. There were memories of our 30^th year reunion held at the old Crystal Gardens.  Our music was by Doc and the Doo-Wops playing all our favorite 50’s and 60’s songs. There were pictures of our 50^th anniversary when 55 of us went on an Alaskan cruise.  We even participated in two stage shows on the ship.  One show there was eight of our ladies with a towel wrapped around our waists as “Splish Splash, I was taking a bath” was sung. Ed Longpre was in the tub on the stage.  Irene Harrison lip sang as Leslie Gore, singing “It’s my Party” while others danced on the stage.  How can you not have good memories of such a memorable trip and so much fun?  Joe Moore had us all gathered around the piano in the Crowsnest as we all sang Come Give a Cheer.

The best part of all these reunions was getting together with the committee to plan the upcoming celebration.  Gathering at one of the committee’s homes, having lunch and then someone remembering why we actually gathered.  Our committee consisted of Astrid Doidge, Buzz Harrison, Bud Rutherford, Irene Harrison, Maureen Moore, Georgina Harrison, Marie Longpre, Cecilia Ivatts, Lorraine Perry and Brian Turner.  Unfortunately, as we aged, we are down to four of the original committee.

The sad part of being MC at the lunch was advising every one of the passing of our grads since our last lunch in 2019.  Being in our mid 80’s this is to be expected but also very sad as we miss those who attended our celebration every year.  The good memories live on and lunches will still be planned as long as our ’55 grads are able to get together.