On October 3, 1977, the brand-new Crleton North High School doors opened for the first time.
Built to accommodate the needs of a growing community, the school replaced the existing Florenceville, Centreville, and Bath high schools.
Behind schedule due to numerous strikes and in a rush to open, the school wasn’t fully completed when it opened its doors to students.
“There was no gymnasium or cafeteria. We had a canteen on wheels that sold a few snacks. That was it,” graduate Barbara Meed told River Valley Sun.
It wouldn’t be until later, in 1978, that the school was finally completed.
Meed was one of dozens of former CNHS students who gathered this past weekend to celebrate their 45th reunion. Not only were they the largest class from CNHS, with 160 students, but they were also the school’s first graduating class.
Meed shared that because their school year started late, students were forced to give up all of their standard school holidays.
“We only had Christmas Day and Boxing Day off; we had to go back to school immediately on the 27th. Then we had New Year’s Day off but had to go right back to school on January 2nd.”
The celebratory weekend kicked off on Friday, Aug. 18, with a meet and greet at the Florenceville Community Hall.
Meed said she had jokingly dubbed the evening “Meet the Teachers, Again.”
Over 30 teachers, past and present, attended to share stories with the students about their years of teaching at the school, either then or now.
On Saturday morning, graduates gathered together for a tour of the high school led by current teacher Derrek Tracey.
For many students, this was their first time returning to the high school since graduating in 1978.
The weekend finished with an evening of food and fun at the Glassville Community Centre. A pig roast and a catered meal were followed by music, dancing and “lots of reminiscing.”
