On June 14, Rutland High School Classmates of 1964 celebrated their 60th Anniversary. The day began with a bus tour of the Central Okanagan followed by a banquet in Rutland at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The original 44 graduates, who are now mostly retired, pursued careers as teachers, accountants, doctors of chemistry, artists, architects, orchardists, RCMP officers, homemakers, secretaries, military personnel and businessmen in the fields of carpentry, trucking, forestry, real estate and auto repair. The attending 20 classmates reminisced about their formative years noting the amazing changes from what was a fledging agricultural community.
A game of 鈥淩each for the Top鈥� challenged the bus group much like the many bus trips they took as students. They were amazed at how the valley has changed into a thriving urban university town supporting many light industrial and tourist ventures and many new crops.
A chorus of 鈥淲e come from Rutland High the Blue and Gold鈥�.鈥� started the banquet. The Knights of Columbus prepared a fantastic meal. The guest speaker, Bob Hrasko from BMID, reminded the classmates of their roots with the important story of water and our community. John Rutland planted the first orchards and installed the first irrigation systems in the area turning the countryside into a green oasis.
The evening concluded with a unique opportunity for classmates to share stories about their journey after high school. Baby Boomers who have travelled far and wide with the knowledge that Rutland High was a great foundation. One poignant comment was, 鈥� Some of us started school together in Grade One at Rutland Elementary. That鈥檚 72 years of friendship worth celebrating.鈥�
Ben Volk provided DJ Services for the evening. As well, the magnanimous merchants of Rutland (Wings, IGA, Shoppers Drug Mart, Save on Foods, Angry Otter Liquor, and Ancient Hills Winery) provided gifts, which were distributed in traditional Rutland fashion to lucky classmates. 鈥溾�ith a rah! rah! Rutland!鈥�
