Old Boys’ Reunion 2006 rekindles SHS spirit

By Richard Wills, Publications Editor

“Gratitude” seemed to the be mood on September 29, when 119 Old Boys, guests, staff and former staff returned to the school—many for the first time since graduation—to rediscover what Selwyn House had meant to them.

Old Boys from the classes of 1976, 1981, 1991 and 1996 were special guests for this reunion, but there was a spirited representation from other graduation years as well.

After registering and touring the new Speirs Building and the newly renovated Lucas building, guests got re-acquainted over cocktails in the Speirs Agora, before moving to the beautifully refurbished Coristine Hall.

Old Boys’ Association Vice-President Paul Mayer ’74 led the audience through the required reading of Old Boys’ Association minutes, adoption of bylaw amendments, election of directors and OBA board report. David Skinner ’82 read a list of proposed bylaw amendments, which were readily adopted by those present.

The reminiscing then got underway with a heartfelt toast to the school and the OBA by Bob Aikman ’56, who travelled from Tulsa, Oklahoma to be with his schoolmates for this event.

After grace by former staffer Barry Williams and a brief word from Headmaster Will Mitchell, the class presentations began with George Maris of the class of ’76. After dinner and dessert, the class presentations continued with Peter Stewart speaking on behalf of the Class of’81, Prosanto Chaudhury for the Class of ’91 and Gandhar Chakravarty for the Class of ’96.

More than one speaker proudly recalled the experience of being among the first members of cultural minorities to attend the school at a time when Selwyn House student body was first beginning to expand beyond the predominantly Anglo-Saxon demographic of earlier decades. All the class presentations included homage to teachers, coaches and staff members who had etched their character-building influence on the minds of the graduates.

Gandhar Chakravarty digressed from the reminiscing to make a plea for environmental awareness in the spirit of the pursuit of veritas.

Following presentation of door prizes by Vince Guzzo ’86 and announcements of upcoming events by Courtney Prieur, Director of Alumni Relations, the pub opened for further socializing into the night.

The spirit of gratitude lasted beyond the reunion evening, and was conveyed to members of the school’s Advancement Office who organized an event that George Maris later called “an absolute miracle and wonder.”

“You folks did an excellent job and it was well appreciated by all of us,” Mr. Maris said. “A lot of my classmates [now] have a new and better view of the school.”