As our old School renamed New Westminster Secondary is about to come down many great memories come to mind . The interesting thing about the school was it was the only junior and high school in the city and bought kids together from Queensboro ( where I grew up )all the way across town to Sapperton. Taking the school bus up town to the school was quite intimating at first .
Playing on the Field lacrosse team which wasn’t as a high profile sport as the basketball or football teams were at the high schools level , but in box lacrosse in New west we had some of the most talented players and strongest teams in the lower mainland so naturally that was carried over to our field team . During my years playing HS field we won a few championships in the late 60’s against some strong Burnaby and Vancouver teams. Our dedicated coach was the late Doug Stout who was a great fan of box lacrosse committed his time coaching us in field game .
Little did I know at the time that I would meet my life partner in 1967 , like many couples in high school I first met my future wife Judi Jones in the upper hallway between Massey and Pearson I still remember seeing her for the first time as I was sitting on the ledge walking by me and my friends with her group and thinking I’d like to meet this gal, finally after a few weeks of smiling and a quick hello’s I got up the courage to talk to her and walk her home . Our first date was a school valentines dance which turned into a 53 year life time commitment 3 kids and 8 grandkids later we are still together.
As the school is ready to come down and we can’t have a big reunion due to Covid I remember fondly some of my school friends but sadly a few have passed away many of them I still see .
The fun times we had in class, getting 5 cent donuts every second Tuesday or a 20 cent hamburger in the old cafeteria , playing innocent tricks on some of the teachers remember Mr Jackson in shop ??
Our old school my be torn down but our memories of our school will be with us always.
- Walt Weaver