Sudbury Secondary School celebrates 30th anniversary of Arts Education

“See you the long weekend in May”

Sudbury Secondary School will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Arts Education Program with an Alumni Reunion the long weekend in May. Current and former students and staff will come together on Saturday, May 21, 2016 and Sunday, May 22, 2016 to relive the history and evolution of the program, the first of its kind in Northern Ontario. Community members and patrons of the arts who have participated in and contributed to the advancement of Arts Education at Sudbury Secondary School are invited to join the celebration.

In addition to traditional subjects, Sudbury Secondary School offers area students an opportunity to nurture their talents in dance, drama, music, media arts and visual arts. Students share their talents with the community through spectacular presentations in the Sheridan Auditorium, including the recent production of Cats.

The 30th Anniversary Planning Committee is working closely with Rainbow District School Board officials, community leaders and other stakeholders to organize an exciting weekend of events and activities. One of the highlights will be a formal acknowledgement of the important contributions of Principal Joe Drago who launched the Performing Arts Program at Sudbury Secondary School in 1985.

“Everyone who attends will have an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, reflect on their high school years, and celebrate the development and growth of the program and the school over the last 30 years,” says Judi Straughan. Judi Straughan, the program’s first drama teacher, is co-chairing the reunion with former music teacher Ralph McIntosh.  “Graduates from all over Canada and points beyond will be here for this exciting reunion,” she says. “We invite everyone to mark their calendars and plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you the long weekend in May.”

The celebration will begin on Saturday, May 21, 2016 with a variety of activities at the school from 10 am to 4 pm, including displays of school memorabilia, a Monster Choir Practice and Colossal Concert Band Rehearsal, Dynamic Drama Games and a Jumbo Jazz Dance Class, and an Alumni Art Exhibit. There will also be a Scavenger Hunt where participants will learn the history of the original schools that stood on the current site, tour the new facility to see the recent renovations, and discover how the school has changed over the years.

The festivities will move to the Radisson Hotel in downtown Sudbury for the Reunion Dance at 7 pm. Alumni will meet friends from their formative years, catch up on what they have been doing since graduation, and dance the night away to music from the past three decades.

The celebration will continue on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the school, starting at noon. A Variety Show at 2 pm will feature alumni, followed by a ceremony to honour the contributions of founding Principal Joe Drago. The weekend will culminate with a social in the school gym, starting at 5:30 pm.

To register for the event, go to http://sssartsed30.wix.com/alumnireunion. All-inclusive weekend passes are now available for $80. Saturday-only passes ($60) and Sunday-only passes ($40) will be available on March 15, 2016.

Registration will remain open until April 15, 2016 or until the events are sold out. The Saturday Night Dance and Sunday Variety Show are limited to the first 500 registrants. Single event tickets will be available after April 15th, subject to availability.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

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