Together again
Cobequid Educational Centre’s Class of ’78 marks four decades
Former students from the Class of ‘78 at Truro’s CEC gathered to catch up with everyone after 40 years – and recall the disco era.
Attending her 40th anniversary class reunion not only allowed Karen Knowles to reconnect with people, it enabled her to learn more about herself.
Knowles, who lives in Ottawa, returned to Truro to attend the recent Cobequid Educational Centre Class of 1978 reunion. It was the first time she’d seen many of her former classmates since graduation.
“I walked through Truro, and expected to be completely disoriented, but I wasn’t,” she said. “Prince Street seemed wider when I was young though.
“I was walking through town and realized I couldn’t stop smiling. I didn’t think there was any attachment left, but there was still a connection.”
Knowles lived in the Debert-Masstown area, but moved away shortly after graduation when her father, who was in the military, was reposted.
“Being here brought back a lot of memories.
“The perception we have through high school is one thing, but I find the way people remember you is different. I didn’t think people noticed me much, but a lot of them remember me. Being here has been a very positive experience.
“If anyone has the chance to go to a reunion, they should really think about it, even if they had a hard time at school. It’s a chance to purge some things.”
She said she didn’t find it hard to recognize most people – but the name tags helped – and she did study the yearbook before arriving.
Jacquie Blair, who lives in Kanata, Ont., also hadn’t seen many of her former classmates for many years. She moved away for work in 1985.
“It’s hard to recognize some people until you see their name tag, but there are some I recognized as soon as I set eyes on them,” she said.
“I come back every summer to see family, but don’t see many former classmates. It’s really nice to catch up and see what people are doing.”