Peter Hecht is just one of many thousands of students who recently received an invitation to attend a reunion this fall in celebration of Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute’s 75th anniversary this year. He said he has fond memories of attending the school in the 1960s.
“There was one teacher who was John Kenneth Galbraith’s sister,” said Hecht, recalling the kin of the famed economist. “She was a math teacher and she was very tall and had white hair and she was very nice. She stayed in my mind because that became one of my best subjects.”
According to Principal Lillian Jovanovic the reunion is a chance for alumni to catch up with former teachers, administrators and classmates. Taking place in October, the reunion will also offer a concert and a dinner.
Since the school opened its doors 75 years ago, many doctors, lawyers and notable entertainers have sat at desks in the different classrooms, including musician Neil Young. “The invitiation will go to him, whether he’ll come or not I don’t know,” said Jovanovic.
According to Lauren Riley, spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board, Lawrence Park’s longevity is a testament to the school itself. “It’s a reflection of how important Toronto’s schools are to their communities,” she said.