ROCHESTER — Rochester School was teaming with students and staff of both past and present May 17 when more than 100 guests visited the school for a trip down memory lane before the school’s closure at the end of the school year. Former students recalled their favourite stories about skipping class by hiding in the gym storage, which teachers they had crushes on, and the comradery built by the small school advantage.
Guests were invited to explore the school's hallways and classrooms while it still bears the signs of regular teaching and use. A group of dedicated organizers displayed old photographs, trophies and ribbons, and old photographs and other materials were available as keepsakes.
At 3 p.m., guests gathered in the gym for a formal program in which custom Rochester School songs were sang sing-a-long style, set to familiar tunes and telling the stories of the school remembered by many.
Long-time locals and those who had long past left the community took turns on the microphone sharing their own connections to the building and community, including memories of building the new gym; of classmates helping classmates study; of major wins and tough losses on the court; and of a school that was not only a school, but a second home to many.
