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Lo-Ellen at 50: Former Knights to gather for reunion

As one of the organizers of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School's 50th anniversary reunion, being held at the school July 11-12, Carol Stanyon has been thinking a lot about her high school years lately.
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Former Lo-Ellen Knights are invited to the school's 50th anniversary reunion July 11-12. File photo.
As one of the organizers of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School's 50th anniversary reunion, being held at the school July 11-12, Carol Stanyon has been thinking a lot about her high school years lately.

Graduating from Lo-Ellen in 1983, she was heavily involved in athletics, participating in the school's swim, basketball, track and badminton teams.

As a nurse at Health Sciences North, Stanyon said she often draws on the teamwork skills she learned through high school athletics.

Many of her high school friends also remain her friends to this day.

The school's teachers — her favourites include phys ed teacher Marg Dash and math teacher Joe Bacon — were “very encouraging,” Stanyon said.

Her own father, John Stanyon, was one of the school's first teachers, working at the school from 1965 to 1970. He'll be among the former teachers on hand for the reunion this weekend.

Stanyon said she's expecting at least 700 former Lo-Ellen Knights and family members to attend the event, some from as far away as California and the east and west coasts of Canada.

“I think it's going to be pretty exciting to see folks that you haven't seen for a very long time,” she said. “It'll be an opportunity to sort of test your memory for some of the folks.”

The reunion begins July 11 with the official welcome, which will include the opening of a time capsule from the school.

One of the highlights of the reunion is sure to be the memorabilia room — which will be open both July 11 and 12 — filled with momentoes such as band sweaters, athletic jerseys, photos and yearbooks from years gone by.

Former staff members are invited to a wine and cheese July 11.

High school jocks like Stanyon will be able to test their mettle at golf, volleyball and basketball tournaments being held July 12.

The event is family friendly, with children's activities such as inflatable bouncy castles and face painting July 12. Adults can quench their thirst in the beer tent both July 11 and 12.

The reunion wraps up with a dance during the evening of July 12. A local band called Sugar Boom will be performing.

Registration costs $45 a person. Children and teens under the age of 19 get in free. Stanyon said any proceeds from the reunion will go towards supporting scholarships for Lo-Ellen students.

For a full listing of events, including times, visit lep50th.weebly.com or search for “Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School 50th Anniversary” on Facebook.

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Heidi Ulrichsen

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