IAN MACDONALD SHARES CHAPLEAU HIGH SCHOOL 1956 INITIATION AND FIELD DAY VIDEO IN A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Ian Macdonald, now the retired head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba, then a student at Chapleau High School, brings us a video of moments from the CHS Grade Nine Initiation and Field Day in 1956.

With the 90th anniversary reunion of CHS in 2012 rapidly approaching now, for me and I am sure so many others, who were CHS students in 1956, thanks for the memories Ian. I am sure we will all be viewing it over and over again until we identify everyone in it,

For those who were not with us at CHS in the 1950s, you may recognize friends and family. Ian's notes provide a glimpse, and a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Whatever, Ian has provided us with a great look at CHS as it was in those days when we were students.

Please feel free to send me comments and names of  any you can identify: mj.morris@live.ca


Here are Ian's comments:




Chapleau High School Grade Nine Initiation, September 1956

The initiation of students entering Chapleau High School in September 1956 was a mandatory rite of passage and pretty much accepted in good humour by all participants. The video begins with a group of new grade nine students on the Chapleau Post Office steps attired in specified initiation costume and paying due homage to Grade 13 student Doug Slievert.

 The grade niners included Fern Lavoie , Joey Steen, Bill Cachagee, etc. etc. The video goes on to capture the parade of students proceeding from the old High School down Pine Street led by the CHS drum and bugle band. Fred Barty and Ross Broomhead are seen bringing up the rear of the parade.



Chapleau High School Field Day 1956

A sanitized tartan running track, manicured grass and Nike gym wear were not even a remote possibility for CHS students in the fall of 1956. Blue jeans, tee shirts and/or sweatshirts were the common attire for an afternoon of various athletic events to celebrate the CHS athletic program.

The sandy 1956 Field of Dreams was more of a nightmare by to-day’s standards but nobody really thought much or cared about it. Staff members overseeing activities in the video include Clarence Fiaschetti, the first CHS grad to return as a teacher; Dr. Karl Hackstetter and a brief glimpse of Gerald Mino, who taught French and latin,  at the long jump event.