Published Oct 22, 2025Last updated 11 minutes ago6 minute readThe committee members who organized the Class of ’75 YCMHS 50-year high school reunion: Lise Mood, Mike LeBlanc, Winnie Bodden, Susan Swinimer, Susan McKinley, Sally Doucet, Jane Smith Blades, Debbie d’Entremont, Colette LeBlanc, Roland Fitzgerald, Harry Frost and Phil Star. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentThey didn’t come wearing their bell bottom pants or platform shoes, but those who attended a recent Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School 50th reunion were transformed back to their high school days and the memories they shared.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“Being on the committee, I was a bit anxious, hoping things would fall into place and the reunion would be successful,” says Mike LeBlanc, noting there were some former Class of ’75 classmates registered for the reunion who he hadn’t seen since high school.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“Everything came into place beyond the committee members’ expectations,” he says. “Hearing the positive feedback. Seeing renewed friendships and seeing a few individuals that hadn’t attended our two previous reunions and that I hadn’t seen in 50 years were favourite parts of the reunion.”Article contentThe event took place in late September and involved a lot of advance planning.Article contentThe committee members say there is just something about the connections you have with the people you went to school with.Article content“There has always been a strong connection with our high school peers that has remained through the years,” says Sally Doucet.Article contentAsked about her favourite thing(s) from high school, she says: Where do you start? “The sports games, winter carnival, various clubs, student body – all these things and the friendships made that remain to this day.”Article contentShe shares a fond memory from high school relating to an English class poetry assignment. Because she couldn’t find any works locally by the poet she had picked out, she reached out directly to the person, who was an author.Article contentArticle content“He sent me four of his books, all with a personalized note in each one,” she says. “Mom had to pay duty on them, but hey, it was worth it.”Article content The YCMHS soccer team from 50 years ago gathered for a photo at their high school reunion. To make the photo even more fun they included what they looked like back in the day. Pictured are Mike LeBlanc, Mike Colquhoun, David Crabbe, Ronnie Fowler, Randy Cook, Jimmy Comeau, Peter Hilton and Roland Fitzgerald. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentCommittee member Winnie Bodden says that because the majority of her and her classmates were together from Primary to Grade 12, it makes for strong bonds.Article contentAsked how accurate her yearbook write-up would be if, 50 years ago, it had said: ‘In 50 years, I will be doing this…’ She says it would have said that she would have been a teacher. But after graduating from Acadia, she instead worked in the university library for 26 years. In more recent years, she’s worked in the school system with young students as an African Nova Scotian Adult Reading Mentor.Article contentAs for whether his yearbook write-up 50 years ago would have stood the test of time, Roland Fitzgerald says it would not have.Article content“All I wanted to do was play sports,” he says about when he was in high school. Fitzgerald, however, did not become a career athlete. “As it turned out, I spent my entire working career in the service industry, owning a retail business for 35 years.”Article contentCommittee members have lots of fond and funny memories from high school.Article contentJane Smith remembers being at a soccer game when she was approached and asked to hold on to something for someone during the game.Article content“He put his false teeth in my hand,” says Smith. “I shoved them in my pocket, stunned.”Article contentSusan Swinimer remembers “a certain poker game” in 12A. Bodden recalls the Pippy Longstocking costumes at Halloween. Other committee members speak of prom, the grad trip, sports trips and winter carnival as special memories.Article content Welccome YCMHS Class of 1975. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentSixty-nine graduates, which rounded out to around 110 people in total, attended the reunion. The weekend included a registration and meet and greet; a Sunday breakfast; and a Saturday evening event at the Lions Club that included a buffet supper; a bit of trivia; music by Andre, Andre and Shane; prizes, and other fun. The dance floor was usually full.Article contentArticle content“Growing up in Yarmouth, many of us were always together. From grade school, we became lifelong friends,” Fitzgerald says. “The ‘70s were special, always good times and hanging out.”Article contentFitzgerald says a tribute to deceased classmates that took place during the reunion truly stood out for him.Article content“It was very powerful and emotional. The expressions and comments made a statement of how strong our group is and has remained over the years,” he says.Article content Working on decorations for the YCMHS Class of ’75 reunion: Lise Mood, Susan McKinley, Colette LeBlanc, Debbie d’Entremont and Sally Doucet. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentWhen other committee members are asked why reunions mean so much, they say it’s because of the everlasting connections and friendships made during their school years.Article content“Everyone was so supportive in school through it all. Like a big family, all sharing in the trials and the joys,” says Swinimer.Article content“We grew up with them, they are like family,” Smith says.Article content“There has always been a strong connection with our high school peers that has remained through the years,” says Doucet.Article contentArticle content“Life-long friendships were made for myself,” says Debbie d’Entremont. “I’ve been fortunate to have been in their lives for 60-plus years.”Article content“The first bonds are the strongest,” adds Colette LeBlanc. “I am still very close with my best friends from school all these years later.” She says they don’t wait for reunions to roll around to keep those connections going. “We try to get together several times during the year.Article contentAsked what her favourite part of the reunion was, she says, “To see everyone completely enjoying themselves.”Article content It was a trip back to the 70s during a recent YCMHS 50-year high school reunion in Yarmouth. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentLOOKING BACK 50 YEARSArticle contentThe Tri-County Vanguard posed a variety of questions to the reunion committee members. Here are some responses.Article contentArticle contentQUESTION: Did you have a favourite outfit from high school?Article content• Colette LeBlanc: Levi jeans.Article content• Sally Doucet: Black bell bottom pants topped with a solid shirt, and a red, black, yellow plaid blazer. Loved it.Article content• Jane Smith: Full length (maxi) vest. Knee high lace up boots. Bell bottom jeans with ragged hems. A Joe Cocker shirt.Article content• Debbie d’Entremont: Leather jacket, bell bottoms and platform shoes.Article content• Susan Swinimer: Plaid pants, red top, platform shoes and a choker.Article content• Mike LeBlanc: Not really, other than soccer uniforms.Article contentArticle contentQUESTION: Who was your favourite teacher and why?Article content• Susan Swinimer: Margaret Messenger. A great math teacher. Showed kindness and concern for all students. Mr. Purcell, Grade 10 history. Made learning so much fun.Article content• Debbie d’Entremont: Grace Walker. She was stern, but very kind.Article content• Harry Frost: Mr. Sanford. He knew how to make chemistry fun.Article content• Winnie Bodden: Mr. Junus, because he made history fun.Article content• Roland Fitzgerald: Mr. Burnard and Principal Mr. Craig. Both had interest in the well-being and were easy to be around. Made me feel good.Article contentArticle content• Jane Smith: Mr. MacKinnon. Grade 10. He was easy-going.Article content• Susan (Coffrin) MacKinlay: Mr. MacKinnon. Very patient.Article content• Colette LeBlanc: G.J. LeBlanc, made the subject interesting. Mr. MacKinnon and Mr. N. Comeau, they did their best to get me through math.Article content• Sally Doucet: Phil DeMille. Not a classroom teacher, but a great guidance counsellor. His door was always open.Article content• Mike LeBlanc: Ms. Grace Walker. When I was in Grade 11 she used to look intimidating in the hallway. She was an older lady with a bun in her hair. Stern look and no-nonsense way about her. When I finally had her in Grade 12, she was the nicest, kindest teacher.Article contentArticle contentQUESTION: What was your favourite subject in high school and your least favourite?Article content• Sally Doucet: English was my favourite. Chemistry, while I found it interesting, just boggled my mind.Article content• Colette LeBlanc: Favourite, English. Least favourite, math.Article content• Susan (Coffrin) MacKinlay: Favourite, math. Least favourite, science.Article content• Jane Smith: Favourite was algebra. Liked solving equations. Least favourite was geometry. I just couldn’t get it.Article content• Mike LeBlanc: I liked geography and history. Least favourite was probably math.Article content• Winnie Bodden: Favourite, history and current events. Least favourite geometry.Article content• Harry Frost: Favourite, chemistry. Least favourite, English.Article content• Susan Swinimer: Favourite, all things math related. Least favourite, all things Shakespeare related.Article content• Debbie d’Entremont: Favourite, English. Math, no so much.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle content
Reunited and it feels so good: Yarmouth high school 50th reunion reconnects friends and memories
