THUNDER BAY – Heather Pert was among the first students to ever walk through the halls of Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
Now nearly 52 years later, with the school getting ready to close its doors for the final time, she wanted one last chance to relive some of the nostalgia.
“Thousands and thousands must have come through here,” Pert said. “It’s just so amazing.”
At least a thousand of those former and current students, staff members and parents took one final trip down memory lane for a special send-off for the school, held on Friday night. Photo displays spanned the length of entire hallways showcasing the history of the school, trophies celebrated past triumphs and Trojan spirit was palpable throughout the building.
Pert, who was entering Grade 9 during that initial intake of students in 1966, recalled having to start high school taking classes in the morning at the former Northwood Technical School down the street while they awaited their new school to be completed.
“Everything was just so new,” she said. “I lived out in the country so coming into town, meeting all new people, it was just a fun time.”
Lakehead District School Board trustees in October 2016 decided to close the school, leaving Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute as the lone south side public high school.
After its closure the school will meet the wrecking ball, with a new elementary school built on its site.
“High school is an experience that can be different for people for different reasons. We have a very diverse school community. We always have,” principal Dave Isherwood said.
“We’ve found a way to give people an opportunity to connect with each other, with the school community. People will come through and reminisce about different things, whether it’s band, athletics, being involved in student council or being involved in clubs and teams.”
Noel Jones first arrived at Churchill in 1998, going on to spend 20 years on staff at the same place where her husband graduated and where their daughter will at the end of this school year.
“We’ve always been Trojans. Churchill has just always been the school we’ve gone to,” Jones said. “This is where I’ve spent most of my career. It’s been a fabulous place to work, a fabulous place to be a student. There’s a great culture here and great people, just a wonderful atmosphere.”
Churchill was originally expected to be shuttered last June, but the school was given a one-year extension by the board in November 2016 when they learned the province’s funding deadlines had been pushed forward.
The last year has been one to remember, with the senior football team capturing the city title and then going on to win the Northern Bowl. The Trojans senior boys volleyball team also capped a dynastic run with their sixth championship in seven years.
“We’ve celebrated every little victory. Every day has been a special celebration,” Jones said.
Jones saw a number of retired teachers run into their former pupils and share stories from decades ago. It shows how deep those memories take hold, she said.
“Nobody forgets their high school years. Nobody forgets those special connections they have with their teachers, their classmates, the other staff here,” Jones said. “It’s a part of you that you never let go of.”
Churchill will have its last convocation ceremony at the end of the month, where Grade 12 student Sarah Kajorinne will stand up as the final graduating class’ valedictorian.
“I feel like I’m not only speaking on behalf of my peers but everybody who came before me at Churchill,” she said.
“It’s such an honour to be the last class to wrap it all up.”
