It was June /78 last week of our graduating year just before lunch and some of us were hanging around my car , a blue 1963 Sunbeam convertible , in one of the NWSS parking lots . I wish I could remember who all was on board and whose idea it was but next thing I remember there were people piling into and onto the car sitting everywhere possible and I was driving the car through the parking lot with a destination in mind . The front lawn of the school past the Administration office along 8th Ave. I headed up the parking lot past the Pearson Gym thinking I hope nobody falls off as I take the turn onto the grass. The hooping and hollering starts as we head along the front of the school with kids and teachers alike watching us through windows. I’m thinking I hope teachers don’t recognize me until I go to eye with one that gives me a big smile and a thumbs up. After doing a couple of circles and heading towards the office drop off area , I see the principal out by the door and I yell “everybody off “ as I think of the closest egress off the grass . As everyone scatters , I head out on to 8th thinking ...now where do I go ...and I head over to the McDs parking lot and park out of sight , so I thought. I go inside and grab a bite then head out to the car where I find the police hovering around my car. I approached my car and asked if there is a problem and the Cop says there was a car of this description reported driving on the lawn of NWSS . Then there was silence ..... a really uncomfortable silence for me anyways so I said “was there any damage done ?” Cop says none was reported. Feeling pretty guilty I asked “if the guilty party was to admit he did it and it was done just as an innocent grad joke and that he probably won’t be doing anything like that again , would he be getting in some sort of trouble?” Cops looked at each other, asked for my license and registration and walked back to the police car. After what seemed like forever, one Cop walked back towards me handing me back the license and as I was about to say something he says, “To answer your question , should we find the person , it appears the principal is not pressing charges. I strongly suggest you head to class as you are probably late. Oh and you might want to spread it around that the car’s description is now on our watch list so who ever did do it should be on his best behaviour”. I decided to drive home then run back to school for obvious reasons.
Walking around the school that afternoon I got some looks from Teachers that I was sure would point me out but not one approached me on it.
What did I learn: It appeared that Teachers and Cops were human beings after all.
RIP NWSS.
Mike Chursinoff - Class of ‘78