A lot of memories were shared today (April 26) as D.A. Gordon Public School invited the community in to say good-bye.
Former students, teachers, administration and members of the Wallaceburg community walked the halls, for the final time for many, at the long-time Wallaceburg school for a Homecoming-themed event.
D.A. is set to close its doors for good in June.
Kathy Myers, a teacher at D.A. and one of the organizers, said she was thrilled with the turnout.
“I think the people are happy to be here to share the memories and see the pictures that we have,” she said. “I see a lot of people making connections with people they haven’t seen in years. It’s good.”
Myers said Mrs. Kilbride, the librarian at the school, and Bob and Kareen Springett, former teachers at D.A. Gordon, helped to go through a ton of photos and organized them by decades.
“My oldest daughter just got back from university, so she has been back everyday putting the photos on to the poster boards and organizing them into the decades for us and organizing the pennants,” she said. “The staff all stayed late last night and helped us put everything out and get everything organized. It has been a real team effort.”
Myers added for many people, this will be the last time they see the building as a school.
“It is their chance to say good-bye to D.A. Gordon and to share the memories with the people they have made them with and to connect with their past.”
Retired teachers Barry and Sheenagh Lightfoot were happy to stroll through the halls one last time.
“It looks like there has been a lot of work put into the displays,” Sheenagh said. “Lots of photos, lots of people saying that their memories have been brought back and they’re glad to see each other again, see old teachers and old classmates.”
Barry added: “It’s interesting to see kids you have taught and how they have grown up. You don’t recognize half of them because it has been so long ago.”
Check out some of the photos we snapped of the event:
