Jason Emiry
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 01, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The halls of Sir John Franklin high school promise to rekindle many old memories this weekend as students from the past 50 years come home.

How many alumni will remember their thoughts and feelings the first time they walked through the doors? How many alumni will remember popular fashions and music of the day they entered the school? What hairstyles were in? Who was the prime minister? Who won the Stanley Cup? What was the best movie of the year? Many Falcons were hatched in the school. They learned how to spread their wings. This weekend they will come home to the nest.

It is hoped that 500 former students will attend the weekend's events.

"I have 112 people registered" said Cheryl Dies, the co-ordinator of the event, "Until last week we had more people registered from out of town than in town".

Musicians will be encouraged to join the open stage. "The jam session is open to anyone who has ever played at Sir John," said Dies.

A list of activities are planned that will allow the alumni to reconnect and catch up together. A meet and greet takes place Friday, followed by a school tour. School alumni will be able to see memorabilia from times past. Saturday includes a Homecoming Cafe, school tour, dinner, jam session and dance.

"We will have access to the Falcon's Nest. It is the school store so we will sell memorabilia," said Dies.

A silent auction will be held, and proceeds will go back to the school.

"There is a number of pieces of art done by Sir John graduates", said Dies. "We also have a full set of Akaitcho Hall dinnerware. We also hope to have an RCMP NWT Centennial licence plate and other items donated to sell at the auction."

The homecoming committee would like to memorialize the school.

"We want to do something to commemorate the history of Sir John," said Dies. "There are a couple old signs that we found that we would like to clean up and commemorate with bronze plaques."

It all wraps up Sunday with a family barbecue at Fred Henne Park. Families will have a chance to play volleyball, lawn bowling, bocce ball, horseshoes and many other activities. Paddle boating, kayaking, water skiing and wake boarding are other activities that people can take part in.

Advance ticket sales closed on Sunday.

"Tickets are still available," said Dies. "We have individual event tickets. People can contact me and tickets are available at the event."