STRATHCONA REUNION
MAY 15, 2020 - CANCELLED
To All May 15, 2020 Strathcona Reunion Attendees,
On behalf of the Strathcona 2020 Reunion Committee we would like to apologize for the delayed timing of this message.
We know that many of you, like us, were excited about the prospect of a reunion, at our beloved Strathcona, to celebrate the restoration of graduation photos to the walls of our dear old school. However, due to the continuing emergence of new Covid-19 variants, the committee has had to make the difficult decision to cancel any future plans for an in-person event.
Information about refunds, or about donating your registration/dinner fee, is at the bottom of this message.
Sad News -
Since March 2020, two key members of the of the committee have passed away. Doug Soon (grad of 1956) who was central to managing registration, passed in the spring of 2022. And then, on December 6th, 2022, Fred John passed away surrounded by his family.
How Fred John Saved a Piece of Vancouver History
After the Strathcona Elementary seismic renovation, Fred John (grad of 1955), visited the school intent on viewing the graduation photos that hung on both sides of the main hallway in the Senior Building. Unexpectedly, the walls were bare: this began Fred’s work to find the photos and have them returned to their rightful and historic place in Strathcona School.
Fred’s determined sleuthing is what drew this committee together. In his search for the photos, Fred connected with Margot McBride who began working at Strath in the 1970s and continues to volunteer in the school library today. When the renovation started, Margot knew that the photos were precious and had to be preserved. And so, even though there was no plan for restoration, she took down the graduation pictures and set them aside for safekeeping.
Once the photos were painstakingly reframed by Fred John, there was another hurdle to navigate. The committee needed the support of the Vancouver School Board to have the photos re-mounted in the hallway where they belonged. After considerable negotiation between the committee, the current administration, and the school board, the photos were finally returned to the walls where they hang today. The alumni of Strathcona owe a collective debt of gratitude to Fred John and Margot McBride for preserving an important part of our school’s (and our city’s) history.
Refunds
Due to the ongoing Covid crisis and rising food costs, it is no longer viable to hold a reunion or dinner, thus we will be offering refunds to all of those who signed up. Any unclaimed or donated fees will be directed to the Fred John Bursary Fund to support Strathcona Students graduating from high school. Please request your refund before May 30th, 2023 by using the contact link on this webpage. We are doing our best to reach out to everyone who signed up. Please help by passing on this message.
From the remaining members of the Reunion Committee,
Clarence Hansen, May Wan, Walter Ng, Lenny Ng, Sarah Ng, Margot McBride, and Ron Suzuki
On behalf of the Strathcona 2020 Reunion Committee we would like to apologize for the delayed timing of this message.
We know that many of you, like us, were excited about the prospect of a reunion, at our beloved Strathcona, to celebrate the restoration of graduation photos to the walls of our dear old school. However, due to the continuing emergence of new Covid-19 variants, the committee has had to make the difficult decision to cancel any future plans for an in-person event.
Information about refunds, or about donating your registration/dinner fee, is at the bottom of this message.
Sad News -
Since March 2020, two key members of the of the committee have passed away. Doug Soon (grad of 1956) who was central to managing registration, passed in the spring of 2022. And then, on December 6th, 2022, Fred John passed away surrounded by his family.
How Fred John Saved a Piece of Vancouver History
After the Strathcona Elementary seismic renovation, Fred John (grad of 1955), visited the school intent on viewing the graduation photos that hung on both sides of the main hallway in the Senior Building. Unexpectedly, the walls were bare: this began Fred’s work to find the photos and have them returned to their rightful and historic place in Strathcona School.
Fred’s determined sleuthing is what drew this committee together. In his search for the photos, Fred connected with Margot McBride who began working at Strath in the 1970s and continues to volunteer in the school library today. When the renovation started, Margot knew that the photos were precious and had to be preserved. And so, even though there was no plan for restoration, she took down the graduation pictures and set them aside for safekeeping.
Once the photos were painstakingly reframed by Fred John, there was another hurdle to navigate. The committee needed the support of the Vancouver School Board to have the photos re-mounted in the hallway where they belonged. After considerable negotiation between the committee, the current administration, and the school board, the photos were finally returned to the walls where they hang today. The alumni of Strathcona owe a collective debt of gratitude to Fred John and Margot McBride for preserving an important part of our school’s (and our city’s) history.
Refunds
Due to the ongoing Covid crisis and rising food costs, it is no longer viable to hold a reunion or dinner, thus we will be offering refunds to all of those who signed up. Any unclaimed or donated fees will be directed to the Fred John Bursary Fund to support Strathcona Students graduating from high school. Please request your refund before May 30th, 2023 by using the contact link on this webpage. We are doing our best to reach out to everyone who signed up. Please help by passing on this message.
From the remaining members of the Reunion Committee,
Clarence Hansen, May Wan, Walter Ng, Lenny Ng, Sarah Ng, Margot McBride, and Ron Suzuki