Confederation grads reunite for 50th event
New French-language school building opens in Welland in 2019
Confederation secondary school shared 50 years of memories on the weekend before it starts a new era in 2019 when it relocates into a new facility.
The French-language high school in Welland held a reunion and open house on Saturday to celebrate its past five decades, welcoming an estimated 1,200 people who browsed an extensive collection of photos and other memorabilia, caught up with old friends and visited with some of their former educators.
Principal Martin Boudreault said many hours of preparation went into the festivities.
“We’ve worked with the community to make this the greatest celebration possible,” he said.
Guests travelled from Vancouver, the Northwest Territories, and many parts of Quebec and Ontario.
A new building will open adjacent to the current school on Tanguay Avenue and merge Champlain elementary school under one roof, bringing together close to 200 French-speaking students.
Boudreault said it is bittersweet knowing the building he and staff have grown so attached to over the years will become a part of local history in a little more than a year, but he looks forward to what the future has in store.
“The good memories are made with the people, and that spirit of community will live in the next school,” he said.
France Bolduc, a graduate from the class of 1982, said she was able to chat with people she hasn’t seen in years, some of them very complimentary.
“They say I haven’t changed,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s really nice to see everybody,” she added.
About 100 students currently attend the French high school.