Pelham High Reunion set for this October

[The voice of Pelham May 2, 2012]

From 1928 to 1958 the  little town of Fenwick was home to the only high school in the area-Pelham (Secondary) District High School.

Students came from all over the region- Lowbanks, Wainfleet, West Lincoln, Thorold, Welland, Fonthill. and Ridgeville. The school had a greenhouse; metal, automotive and woodworking shops; and a whole section for commercial and business studies where typing, shorthand, accounting etc, were taught. Academic studies included Latin, French, English composition and literature, algebra, physics chemistry along with many other subjects were taught to ready students for university or college. There  were three gyms and sports were extremely important. Basketball, football, track and field, volleyball were played both in class and against other schools. The Tribune tournament was a highlight of the year and many students went to Welland High to cheer for the Pelham Panthers.

During the mid to late 50s there were  more than 1,400 students in the schools. As the baby boomers began to hit high school Pelham High was  stretched to its limits. In 1958 Thorold Fonthill High School was built and this took kids from Fonthill, Thorold and Welland. Then, in 1963 E.L. Crossley was ready for students and Pelham High was left with only a few hundred students. Dr. E,L. Crossley was the supervising principal of all three schools.

In 1974 the powers that were decided to close the school  even after a valiant fight by students, teachers and residents of the town to keep it open. The school was bought and turned into a private school for international students.

A group of former students thought it would be a grand idea to hold a  Reunion. So, in 1984 the first Pelham Reunion was held at the school. Thus was the only reunion we had there and they allowed us to have all the gyms, the older part and two other classrooms on the main floor. More than 4,000 people came and needless to say, it was a resounding success.

Some people had not seen each other in 90 years.

The community thought this would ba a one  time event as the school became apartments and how could the first reunion be equalled? But, people kept asking for  another and everyone had such a good  time the committee decided to hold one every five years. From 4,000 people in 1984 to  350 people in 2009, our numbers keep falling. Pelham High School closed in 1974 so the youngest person to have attended is now in their mid 50s Since  we keep losing “us” we thought it best not to wait until 2014 and have one this year- three years after the last and continue with every three years until there are none of us left.

So we are looking forward to getting together again to share our memories of growing up together have a few laughs, cry over people we have lost tell some stories, make stuff up and  generally have fun.

Please if you were a  student, staff or support staff, members mark Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 as reunion day. We will meet at Sparrow Lakes Golf Club, Pelham Street.