On September 17, 2016 The MEI Class of 1956 met in the Solarium of the Towers to mark the 60th anniversary of our graduation. It was a joyful time of reminiscing and fellowship as we recalled events of so long ago. Of the original group of 35 students, almost half were able to attend, many with spouses. Sadly missed were the eight graduates who have passed away. Included in the attendees were several former students who had been part of the class for one or more years between 1950 and 1956 (Grade VIII to Grade XIII) but were not in the graduating class. We had been somewhat of a nonconformist group. The boys in the leather jackets made quite a statement at that time. I am sure we caused our teachers some grief. Had you seen us at the reunion, you would not have guessed it. We turned out to be a pretty successful lot with entrepreneurs and many professionals in our ranks.
Our valedictorian, Agnes Dyck (nee Wiebe) took the podium with her original Eng Lit 91 text in hand. She read three poems from Adventures in English Literature published in 1952. Shelley’s To a Skylark and Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar are as much in vogue today as they were 61 years ago when Mr. William Neufeld sat on an empty student desk with feet perched on the seat at the front of the classroom, and discussed these timeless verses with us. Now, with a lifetime of experience behind us, those lines took on a whole new meaning.
Agnes Fast (nee Derksen) had put together a nostalgic video of Then and Now. Changes were evident to be sure. It would be interesting to count how much The Class of 56 contributed to the increase in the world’s population with all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that ensued.
Henry Wiebe gave us five thought-provoking ideas that he called The Glue that Holds us Together. One of these being that a small group that shares a classroom for six (for some fewer) formative years really does form permanent bonds. Compare that to some modern high schools where there are literally hundreds graduating each year.
After a sumptuous meal, a beautiful violin rendition of Perhaps Love performed by Ernie Janzen, some group hymn singing, Art Schmidt closed the evening by commenting on how significant it was for us to be meeting on the very ground on which the former MEI (our MEI) once stood.
Submitted by Marguerite Sawatzky (nee Peters), MEI Grade 13 Class of 1956
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Memorial
The MEI Class of 1956 created a display board to memorialize the eight graduates of their class who had passed away. (Click on image to enlarge)
Previously Posted News
A 60th reunion is being planned for the MEI Schools class of 1956 senior matriculation (Gr.13) and junior matriculation (Gr.12), including anyone that was in the class of 1956 from grade 8 onwards. Please join us on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Garden Park Tower (our old campus) in the Solarium.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Art Schmidt (phone 604-795-2642 or email aaschmidt@telus.net). Your reunion committee would also like to know if the Class of 1956 would like to tour MEI Secondary (possibly on Friday, September 16, 2016) — please be in contact with Art.
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Photo taken at the MEI Class of 1956 58th Reunion in 2014
