St. Michael's School celebrates 110th anniversary

Principal Don Kuchison with a poster celebrating St. Michael's School
*School photography

Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek's St. Michael's School held an assembly on Thursday, March 6, 2014 (the 110th day of the school year) to commemorate the schools' 110th anniversary. Principal Don Kuchison acted as the Master of Ceremonies during the event.


Students from kindergarten to grade 12 were gathered in the Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium. Cheers rang out, candy was tossed, history was reviewed, and competitions were held.  From young students to visiting alumni the school colour of red was sported proudly among the crowd.

Emily Milligan spreading the good cheer, and candy
T. Lucas photos except *

For many students this was their first time to ever hear the St. Michael's School Song. Alumni Patrick Hochstein was one of many alumni in attendance that remembered the song fondly.  Alumni Judy Bonertz said that she remembered singing it at sports events like basketball and volleyball.  Alumni and current students practiced together briefly before performing it before those assembled. After one go through, the rest of the students were invited to sing along, which they did heartily.

Broken into groups based on grade, a poster contest was held where each class competed for a prize for the best poster made in 15 minutes. Each class started out by dpelling Saint Michael's School. From there they had to choose words that accurately depicted how they see their school. Words like magnificent, awesome, athletic and sensational were being bandied about by each group as they rushed toward the deadline.

Mr. Krizan running visuals for Tannis Bruder, presenting

A video presentation was compiled by Tannis Bruder. She spoke of the value of time, and how heroes are people, plain everyday people who do something for others because of their kindness, compassion and love for mankind. The clips that she pulled from included helping those that had fallen get up, and another about someone who chose to drive a burning fuel truck away from a populated area.

It is true that you may never know how a random act of kindness may impact others. It is true that you may never receive recognition for an act of bravery. It is also true that it makes you a better person, and our world a better place.

McKinney Ettenhofer with wristband and Mr. Kuchison

The celebration concluded with an announcement.

McKinney Ettenhofer was announced as the winner of    the St. Michael's 110th anniversary logo design contest.   She designed a logo incorporating a dove of peace pulling a banner across the sky reading 'St. Michael's 110 year anniversary'. This design has already been reproduced on wristbands that were given to everyone in attendance.

McKinney Ettenhofer's winning design

*Matthew Birkmann, Chaz Vance and Bryce Conley acted as photographers on behalf of the school, documenting the event.

Matthew Birkmann, Chaz Vance, and Bryce Conley