The final farewell begins …

nicbea 12 Comments

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It’s a beautiful sunny summer Sunday here in Cobourg.  And as I begin to put the final touches on the plans for the CDCI West Alumni Celebrations Weekend I cannot help but feel nostalgic and proud.  

A special thank you has to go out to Paul Allen, a former student and teacher, who in November 2014 came forward, rallied a crew of Alumni, and initiated the planning of our commemorative festivities.  Since then a dozen of us have been meeting weekly at the School and our local tavern, Kelly’s, to brainstorm, plan and put together a tribute that we hope every former Viking will enjoy.  June 12 to 14, 2015 will be three days to capture our time where we began as young people and to create final memories as a Viking.

1901 buildingThis weekend is more than bricks and mortar — it is about spirit, family and friends, and love.  It’s about learnings and failures, successes and achievements.  It’s about retracing our footsteps down the blue and gold brick road.  It is about embedding the heritage of the West into the annals of time.

For those of you who live in the community or are traveling home for the celebrations we hope you will participate in the many things we have planned for you: Athletics Awards on Friday, an Open House and Closing Ceremonies on Saturday and pick up sports on Sunday.  Ticket holders for the Alumni Social and Dance are in for a memorable evening too: a canapé dinner served by alumni caterers of the Buttermilk Cafe, a reunion session with Freddy and The Romantics, a keepsake publication chronicling the history of the School, a memorabilia room featuring a heritage presentation by the Cobourg Library Archives and so much more.  So, grab some old classmates, make a reservation at one of our participating restaurants, and raise a glass as we toast our phenomenal School adieu.

balloons

For those of you who are not able to join us we hope you will be able to participate by following our blog for updates, join our Facebook page to see posts or follow the #cdciwest2015 hash tag as people share and post photos.

In a few weeks the doors to a place that has become a fabric of our upbringing may close but our experience of roaming those hallways and developing inside those classrooms and laughing in that cafeteria will forever be the pride of our hearts.

west crest without wordsThe spirit of the Viking is immortal, now and forevermore.

On behalf of the CDCI West Alumni Celebrations Committee, it has been an honour to serve every Viking of yesteryear and today.  May we embrace the closing with fondness as we celebrate a new era of student excellence in our community.

Dare Lucem,

Nicole Beatty, Co-Chair, CDCI West Alumni Celebrations Committee l Class of 2001

12 thoughts on “The final farewell begins …”

  1. I was wondering. Can you tell me what is happening with school plaques? My son has his name on one for a pole vaulting record and if it would be possible he would love to have it. His name is Kevin Knox. He now lives in BC.

    Thanks Nancy Abraham

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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  2. Beautiful tribute, Nic. Thank you for all of the love and hard work you’ve put into making this weekend happen.

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    • thank you mary <3. and thank you for editing and publishing the commemorative magazine for our dance patrons to take home with them. it's going to be a magical weekend! xo

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  3. I was a mostly invisible student in Grade 9 and 10 in 1959/1960. I didn’t play any sports. I could hardly do a push up! Bob Ewart, John Brett (deceased) Brian and Al Davis (identical twin basketball stars) Sven Krauman, Jim Jones. Scott Mackenzie were acquaintances who for sure would have been Vikings.
    Some Viking girls of my era would be Susan Shaw, Joy Houston Everil (Lee) Als, Heather Bowes Como. Fabulous women all! I suspect they will all be in attendance.
    I loved Cobourg and CDCI. I peaked intellectually in Grade 10. Alas, downhill from there. I visit occasionally but no one knows me. I had intended to attend but an unavoidable work situation materialized.
    Organizers…well done. I’m sure it will be a blast. ciao, purvis kinney

    Purvis Kinney
    dpkinney@gmail.com
    Edmonton AB
    780.718.8010

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    • countdown really on now for weekend. once a west Viking always a west Viking. went to west when jerry lawless was phys ed director and paul allen was student. so many memories from teachers to atheletics to music drama and arts. I remember m.c. variety night when variety night being held and even juke box in the cafeteria and working on school newspaper. so many memories so much west Viking spirit. go west go

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