Written By Jan Sims
ARVA - It was a day to reconnect with old friends and teachers as well as celebrate high school days gone by in Arva, as Medway High School hosted its 75th Reunion on Saturday May 25th. “We’re celebrating 75 years of community and education here at Medway,” said event organizer Joanne Simiac.
There was a full day of events and activities that kicked off with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Alumni and visitors could stroll through the halls, catch up with former staff and students, and enjoy a number of activities. It was a busy day that featured a rugby game, a display of school history in the library, special “decade” rooms, a history of drama productions as well as performances by the school band and choir. There was also a luncheon for former staff members and an evening social event.
“Medway has a long-standing history of having strong community connections. We’ve had generations come through this building,” said Simiac, who graduated from Medway in 1999. Her parents are also Medway grads. “There are students here now whose parents went here and their grandparents. Medway’s really rooted in history,” added Simiac.
Although the school spirit has remained strong over the years, a lot has changed since Medway opened its doors 75 years ago. “It’s grown significantly. Currently we have almost 1,600 students. The school has gone through a number of renovations, the most recent being in 2009,” said Simiac. The close ties to the community are what unite graduates, and they enjoyed sharing memories of their time at Medway. “My memories consist of attending football games, I was part of the choir in my senior year, and drama productions. Medway had something to offer for everybody and still has something to offer for everybody,” enthused Simiac.
