The year 1950 was a big one for North Okanagan education.
Two schools opened that year – Charles Bloom Secondary, in the Village of Lumby, and Vernon's W.L. Seaton Secondary.
Both turn 75 this year.
Bloom held a special open house on April 29, attended by hundreds of former students and teachers, to commemorate the anniversary.
Now, Seaton is following suit.
The Grade 8-12 facility will hold a 75th anniversary celebration Thursday, May 15, from 5-6 p.m.
"We are inviting all former students, staff, support staff, and the public to come out and help us celebrate a special anniversary," said current Seaton principal Mike Grace.
The open house will include a slide show of Seaton through the years, a tour of the school, displays, and refreshments.
The school opened at its present location, 2701-41st Avenue, on April 20, 1950, as Vernon Junior High School. It was officially opened by then-education minister William T. Straith, who was quoted as saying about the school – "Not extravagant. Just functional. A building to serve the children of this generation."
The school was built for slightly less than $473,000. The first principal was George E. Falconer with William Lyle Seaton serving as vice-principal and there were 23 teachers presiding over 627 students.
Seaton taught in the Vernon School District from 1917 to 1965, having started teaching when he was 17 (The History of Schools and Other Learning Facilities in School District #22 (Vernon), a project of the Vernon Retired Teachers Heritage Committee). Upon his retirement 60 years ago, the school's name was changed to W.L. Seaton School.
