I cannot believe it is just 3 months before we celebrate my high school, St. John’s 100th anniversary. Why you ask? I have great memories of some teachers like Mr. Manishen, our French teacher and Mr. Burrows who taught us Latin. Other teachers gave me nightmares. I made new friends that have become lifelong friendships. And I will never forget those walks to and from school. I lived on McAdam, a fair pace from St. John’s, which gave us time to have long discussions to resolve many burning issues such as what might be on the next Math test or what to wear to the next ‘sock hop’.
I especially remember the cultural programs.  St John’s phys ed class was where we learned ballroom dancing from Mr. Pastuck.  He was a short dictator type of guy who held the girls too close and demanded perfection.  I actually learned to dance and quite enjoyed my new skill.  Since I wasn’t an athletic type I probably got a higher grade than my participation in team sports.  My most favourite memory is playing in the band and orchestra.  To everybody’s surprise I was a trombone player, having learned in my former school, now called Elmwood High.  When I moved to the North End  I desperately missed the band,  and I convinced the music teacher, Miss Milgrom, that I would help her if she got a band and/ or orchestra started.  And she started both.

So what was my role?  I organized fundraisers to raise money for uniforms, musical arrangements and whatever else was needed.  I always had time for the band which took more of a priority than my studies.   I went to see my cousin who owned The Donut House and convinced him of this worthy cause and he gave me a great deal. We had frequent successful donut sales. 

I am looking forward to meeting up with my former classmates and actually we have been in touch by e-mail and by phone and it evreryone is getting excited.  There’s still time to register and organize your seating for Saturday night’s   gala.  Remember  that St. John’s High or St. John’s Tech, (whatever you called it)  is the oldest high school in Manitoba and we all can celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Sandy Hyman, nee Katz, class of 1964.