When you’ve been serving youth in the community for more than 70 years, your retirement deserves a party.
It’s almost time to bid farewell to the old New Westminster Secondary School building – and folks are being asked to share their memories of the school for a special farewell event.
The city’s only high school is being replaced, with the new building almost finished and the current school set to close for good in 2021.
A celebration that will bring people together in a virtual and livestreamed event is being planned for May 2021, and organizers are looking for people’s stories of their life at NWSS.
“Help us honour the history of the current building, while joining us in the opportunity to say farewell to an important part of New Westminster history,” a press release says. “We are calling on all of you –whether you’re a past student, employee, parent, volunteer, or even the child or grandchild of someone with a deep connection to the school – please share your stories of life at NWSS with us.”
Organizers want to hear any and all stories from people for whom NWSS was a significant milestone in their life’s journey.
“What made your time at that school exceptional? How did these old halls or classrooms shape or change you? Is there some story that relates to the building itself? An old ghost that wanders the halls? What about a rumoured secret location (was there really a pool?)? Do you have a story or notable event about the library, the drama room, chemistry class, or maybe the overpass that others over the years could identify with?” the press release asks.
The goal is to share some of the stories during the livestreamed event. Stories can be written or in video form, and you’re also welcome to send photos (if there are people in the photos, consent needs to be given by all people before you send them).
Email your contributions to [email protected] by Jan. 31, 2021.
You can follow along and get updates at www.nwss.ca/about-us/nwss-project-updates/.
