WHEN THE PAST MET THE PRESENT
Hundreds return to celebrate Stanley Park Senior School’s 50th anniversary
Hundreds return to celebrate Stanley Park Senior School’s 50th anniversary
Stan the Gator, Stanley Park Senior Public School’s mascot, and Emcee Jonathan Clayton at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.
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By Shelley Byers
For the Kitchener Citizen
April 10, 2014
When the past met the present in the hallways and classrooms amid squeals and hugs, the old school spirit was still in the air for the hundreds of Gators gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stanley Park Senior Public School in Kitchener on April 5.
The occasion was marked with a time capsule dating back 25 years, a presentation of memories and best wishes followed by a cake cutting ceremony.
“The essence is still the same,” said former student Laura Lee Orser outside the classroom commemorating the 1970’s.
“The place is timeless.”
Former student and emcee, Jonathan Clayton, introduced special guests including Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, Member of Parliament, Stephen Woodworth, Superintendent of Education, Gregg Bereznick, and WRDSB Board of Trustees Chairperson Ted Martin. Many former principals, vice-principals and teachers also attended.
Zehr brought congratulations from the entire council and the City of Kitchener and spoke about the many generations of students who have walked the halls. “This is a great time of celebration,” he said.
“We are here to celebrate excellence but also to look ahead and celebrate an exciting future,” said Rob MacQueen who has been the Principal at Stanley Park for six years.
Opened in 1964, Stanley Park Senior Public School has seen some changes to its environment, including a new library and a computer room, but overall the look of the school hasn’t changed.
Cathy Snyder (Russell) and Bonny (Carmichael) Rochford were two of the students to enter the school in its first year. They remember unfinished ceilings as well as enriching art classes and the request for O Canada to be sung along with God Save the Queen.
The time capsule, opened a few days before the anniversary celebration, revealed letters from students from 1989. One letter writer hoped he might live on the moon, or Las Vegas, or Kitchener. He also hoped for a Lamborghini.
Doug Clarke retired in 1998 after a 30 year teaching career at the school.
“When you find a good spot, you never leave,” said Clarke. “These were the greatest kids.”
Jonathan Clayton said his years from 1992 to 1994 were the two most formative years of his school career, and he was excited to be asked to emcee the event. He is now the Communications Officer for Corporate Communications at Conestoga College.
“The atmosphere here hasn’t changed,” he said. “I am still proud to be a Gator.”
Paul Wentzlaff has been educating students at Stanley Park since 1997, and has taught the kids of his former classmates. A graduate of Stanley Park in 1980, he said, “There’s a community here.”
MP Stephen Woodworth did not attend the school, but reflected that schools are one of the few remaining sources of community.
“I hope for another 50 years for that reason alone,” he said.
* * *
Shelley Byers attended Stanley Park Senior Public School from 1976 – 1978. She was surprised to learn that the popular school spirit chant from her days of “Go Green Machine!“ had been changed to “Go Gators!,” but she notes that no matter which chant is used, “the heartfelt school spirit hasn’t changed.
For the Kitchener Citizen
April 10, 2014
When the past met the present in the hallways and classrooms amid squeals and hugs, the old school spirit was still in the air for the hundreds of Gators gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stanley Park Senior Public School in Kitchener on April 5.
The occasion was marked with a time capsule dating back 25 years, a presentation of memories and best wishes followed by a cake cutting ceremony.
“The essence is still the same,” said former student Laura Lee Orser outside the classroom commemorating the 1970’s.
“The place is timeless.”
Former student and emcee, Jonathan Clayton, introduced special guests including Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr, Member of Parliament, Stephen Woodworth, Superintendent of Education, Gregg Bereznick, and WRDSB Board of Trustees Chairperson Ted Martin. Many former principals, vice-principals and teachers also attended.
Zehr brought congratulations from the entire council and the City of Kitchener and spoke about the many generations of students who have walked the halls. “This is a great time of celebration,” he said.
“We are here to celebrate excellence but also to look ahead and celebrate an exciting future,” said Rob MacQueen who has been the Principal at Stanley Park for six years.
Opened in 1964, Stanley Park Senior Public School has seen some changes to its environment, including a new library and a computer room, but overall the look of the school hasn’t changed.
Cathy Snyder (Russell) and Bonny (Carmichael) Rochford were two of the students to enter the school in its first year. They remember unfinished ceilings as well as enriching art classes and the request for O Canada to be sung along with God Save the Queen.
The time capsule, opened a few days before the anniversary celebration, revealed letters from students from 1989. One letter writer hoped he might live on the moon, or Las Vegas, or Kitchener. He also hoped for a Lamborghini.
Doug Clarke retired in 1998 after a 30 year teaching career at the school.
“When you find a good spot, you never leave,” said Clarke. “These were the greatest kids.”
Jonathan Clayton said his years from 1992 to 1994 were the two most formative years of his school career, and he was excited to be asked to emcee the event. He is now the Communications Officer for Corporate Communications at Conestoga College.
“The atmosphere here hasn’t changed,” he said. “I am still proud to be a Gator.”
Paul Wentzlaff has been educating students at Stanley Park since 1997, and has taught the kids of his former classmates. A graduate of Stanley Park in 1980, he said, “There’s a community here.”
MP Stephen Woodworth did not attend the school, but reflected that schools are one of the few remaining sources of community.
“I hope for another 50 years for that reason alone,” he said.
* * *
Shelley Byers attended Stanley Park Senior Public School from 1976 – 1978. She was surprised to learn that the popular school spirit chant from her days of “Go Green Machine!“ had been changed to “Go Gators!,” but she notes that no matter which chant is used, “the heartfelt school spirit hasn’t changed.
Cathy Snyder (Russell) and Bonny (Carmichael) Rochford, students who attended Stanley Park Senior Public School the year it first opened in 1964, were together again at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Principal Rob MacQueen and current students Teetha Bweshee, Katherine Ansimova and Amy Paleczny share a goofy moment in the front foyer of Stanley Park Senior Public School.