A LASTING IMPRESSION
Photograph brings back happy memories for graduates of 1957
Photo brings back happy memories for Miscouche High School graduates of 1957
A photograph captured 60 years ago, when 16 students graduated from Miscouche High School, evokes many memories.
Part of what made the former Miscouche High School (today the Miscouche Villa on Lady Slipper Drive North) so special was its extraordinary teachers, according to the former pupils, who gathered on the weekend for their 60th reunion.
Excelsior (Ever Higher) was the motto engrained in the former Catholic school run by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame.
Rosalie Gallant (née DesRoches) says the sisters were selflessly dedicated to their work with the students.
“The sisters were wonderful teachers, and they taught us every subject on the curriculum for P.E.I. We all had good grades and even had time in Grade 12 to put on a three-act play in the local hall. But, we had a lot of fun, even though we worked hard,” she reminisced.
Years after her 1957 graduation, Gallant still remembers the name of one teacher who went the extra mile to provide students with the ability to succeed.
“Sister Mary Eugenia was my Grade 12 teacher, and she was a beautiful person inside and out. She gave us all the courage to go out in life and find our field,” reflected Gallant, now a retired registered nurse.
Most of the ’57 graduates are now retired, having followed successful careers in nursing, teaching, engineering, social work, accounting, construction and dentistry.
Gallant admitted, “My best friends (after all these years) are in this class.”
Sister Marie Arsenault, from Summerside, started as a convent boarder at the Congregation of Notre-Dame before being assigned to Miscouche High School for teacher training.
“I was a teacher there for 10 years. And recently we celebrated the 200th anniversary of Miscouche and it was such an incredible experience to meet a large number of my former students – some that I hadn’t seen in 40 years or, since I had them in Grade 1,” she said.
The old adage “young at heart” still rings true today for many classmates at the special 60th reunion.
“What I find interesting is that there is a link in the span of time that seems to be just present, as if we just forget the time and are back to our high school days,” remarked Sister Arsenault.
Former classmates came from all over the country, as well as the United States, to attend the reunion. The event kicked off with mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Miscouche, which is observing its 125th anniversary. All the graduates had a role in the liturgy and were welcomed by parishioners and Father Greg Conway.
The graduates then met for lunch at the Loyalist Lakeview Resort in Summerside.
Sister Arsenault and Rose Gallant led their classmates in the singing of a blessing, which they composed for the special occasion, and the afternoon was spent rekindling friendships and sharing stories.
“Sister Mary Eugenia was my Grade 12 teacher, and she was a beautiful person inside and out. She gave us all the courage to go out in life and find our field.” Rosalie Gallant
DEAR ABBY: I’m a mother of three beautiful little girls. I’m nervous about having to talk with my oldest about puberty and sex.
She’s turning 10, and I know I need to start explaining certain things to her, but I have no idea how.
My mother never sat me down and talked to me about anything, really, so my mom would not be of much help. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. — MINNESOTA MOM OF THREE
DEAR MOM: You can spare your daughter a frightening experience when her first period arrives if you start talking to her now, before it happens. Start the conversation by making the message positive — that she will “become a woman” soon and tell her what to expect. Show her what to do in case you are not there and what supplies she will need to take care of herself. That’s step one.
A short time later, ask her what she knows about reproduction. Because reproduction is taught in some schools, she may surprise you by how much she already knows. If she doesn’t, start talking to her about how her body works and your family values. It is important that parents also talk to their children about drugs and alcohol well before they start to experiment. My booklet “What Every Teen Should Know” covers sexuality as well as other topics, including dating, peer pressure, sexually transmitted diseases, drugs and alcohol. It can be ordered by sending your name and address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price. Order it for yourself and review it before starting your discussions with your daughter. My Teen booklet has been distributed in doctors’ offices as well as by educators and religious leaders. The more information you can provide your daughters, the better prepared those girls will be to make informed choices in the future.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been with my girlfriend for seven years and, for the most part, our sex life is great.
However, we’ve had disagreements when I suggested ways to spice it up.
I proposed costume/role play where she would dress up as an elf or other fantasy genre character. She hates the idea (and elves) and suggested lingerie (which I have bought for her in the past, but gets worn once or twice before being thrown away). I don’t think my suggestion is outrageous compared to some of the letters I’ve seen in your column over the years. Am I wrong for thinking she’s being closed-minded? — COSPLAY CURIOUS IN CALGARY
DEAR “COS”: It strikes me that your girlfriend may be more clothes-minded than closed-minded. It’s a fact of life that some people are more sexually adventurous than others. Because she finds the idea of dressing as an elf unappealing, choose another fantasy figure you can agree upon.