Sudbury Secondary School honours former Principal Joe Drago on May 22

On Sunday, May 22 at 2 pm in the Sheridan Auditorium of Sudbury Secondary School, the spotlight shines brightly on Joe Drago, founding Principal of the school’s Performing Arts Program. Audience members who attend the Variety Show celebrating the Program’s 30th Anniversary Reunion will share a special moment with Drago as he takes to the stage for the naming of the Joe Drago Arts Hallway.

For many, the name Joe Drago is so closely linked to hockey and Hockey Canada, it is surprising to think of him as a major arts advocate. He is that and more. Thirty-three years ago, Drago decided that Sudbury needed a specialized arts program for high school students, and, as principal of Sudbury Secondary School, he knew exactly where he wanted it to be.

After three years of committee work and board meetings, the first Performing Arts classes began in the fall of 1985.  At that time, the various Arts studios were scattered throughout the building, over three city blocks. The recent school renovations led to the consolidation of all the Arts departments in state-of-the-art facilities in one new wing. The ribbon is about to be cut on the Joe Drago Arts Hallway, where Dance, Drama, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Film Studies and Visual Arts students and staff are together in the same corridor at last.

The public is invited to share in this special celebration with Joe and his family. All-inclusive passes to the Variety show and post-show reception with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres cost $40, and can be purchased online (credit card) by following the Reunion Registration link at sudburysecondary.net. Passes are also available in the school office (cash or cheque only).

Tickets for the Variety Show alone are $20. Show tickets can be reserved in advance by contacting [email protected]. Tickets will also be sold at the door on May 22.

Click here to access the original news release.

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For further information, contact:

Judi Straughan
Reunion Committee Co-Chair
[email protected]
705-566-5104