A larger group of people are now among those invited to this year’s reunion for alumni of Estevan Collegiate Institute (ECI). The event, which will take place in Regina on June 9 and 10, is now open to more students and staff who were at the school, due to popular demand. “The reunion was designed initially for ECI students who were in Grade 12 in 1967 because
2017 is 50 years since graduation,” said Colleen Slater-Smith, one of the organizers of the reunion. As it turns out, there were so many ECI students from other grades who wanted to attend the reunion, the committee decided to include anyone who attended ECI — teachers or staff — at any time during the 1966-67 school year. The issue of time con
straints was the reason why the reunion will take place in Regina, rather than Estevan. “Some former students are flying in just for the weekend. We kept Sunday free so those who have not seen the ECI monument will have time to make a quick trip to Estevan,” said Slater-Smith. The ECI Reunion 2017 committee also includes Larry Preddy of
Estevan, who was chair of ECI Reunion in 2000; Peter Ng, a 1967 grad who promoted the ECI Reunion in 2000 and all ECI Reunion activities; Paul Fraser, who designed the school’s coat-of-arms; and Bob King, now of Weyburn, who worked with bandmaster Hugh Williams. “We already contacted a number of teachers who worked at the
high school in 1967,” said Slater-Smith, including Lawrence Drozda, Beryl Forgay, Shirley Andrist and Joyce Beggs. The committee continues to track down more teachers and staff. The reunion will take place at the Italian Club, and the deadline for registration is April 30. For more info, see the ECI Reunion 2017 website. A number of rooms at
the Wyndham Hotel and Executive Royal Hotel have been reserved for ECI alimni. The reunion will also entail a cocktail gettogether on Friday night, with supper and a dance the following night. “We were very lucky kids to go to ECI,” said Slater-Smith. “We fondly remember our school, our chums and our teachers. And we hope everyone will come to the party.”
