A reunion evening held Sept. 19 marking the 40th anniversary of Sudbury Secondary School’s arts education program was a “tremendous success,” with alumni spanning four decades taking part, said organizers.
The event was held at the Fromagerie on Elgin Street, commemorating the school’s contribution to arts, culture and education locally.
“It was truly a celebration of our school’s vibrant arts community, with a room buzzing with excitement, laughter and heartfelt reunions,” said Sudbury Secondary staff member Jessica Crowe, in an email to Sudbury.com.
“It felt like stepping back into a lively classroom, but with the warmth and nostalgia of a long-awaited reunion.”
The event included a Sudbury Secondary pop quiz hosted by retired teachers Ralph MacIntosh and Judi Straughan. This fun and engaging trivia game had everyone laughing and reminiscing about their school days.
There was also a “heartwarming speech” by former Sudbury Secondary principal and arts education program founder Joe Drago.
“Joe spoke passionately about the enduring value of arts education, reminding us of the lasting impact it has on students,” the email said. “His generosity extended beyond words, as he made a $1,000 donation to support student bursaries and legacy projects at SSS.”
The event also featured live music by alumni, including “beautiful performances by Pierre Laframboise and Eric Clancy, who generously shared their musical talents to add an extra layer of nostalgia to the evening.”
Participants also enjoyed a silent auction, memory wall and karaoke. “As the night wore on, many joined in for some lighthearted karaoke,” said the email.