Quilchena Elementary School marked a special milestone as students, staff, families and alumni came together to celebrate 100 years.

The celebration honoured the school’s history and the people who helped shape it. The day brought together many generations of Quilchena learners. It also showed the strong sense of community that continues today.

Several well-known alumni took part, including Valerie Jerome, a former teacher and Olympian. Jerome competed for Canada at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. She won national titles and medals in track and field. She later taught in Vancouver schools for more than 30 years, including at Quilchena.

At Quilchena, Jerome helped build a strong school community. She also started a track club that inspired students across British Columbia. She has also spoken up for the environment and social justice for many years. Her award-winning book RACES shares stories about racism in Canada. It also honours her family’s legacy, including her brother, Olympic legend Harry Jerome.

The school also welcomed Aaron Chapman, a former student. Chapman is a writer, historian and musician. His work focuses on Vancouver’s entertainment history. Students also learned about the school’s past through the Legacy Art Project.

Students worked together to create art that will stay at the school for years to come. The school’s teacher-librarian said Quilchena’s archives show a strong sense of community. Students explored photos, news clippings, school programs and books.

Principal Mike Singh said the project helped students connect the past and present. “We are lucky to have a well-organized archive,” he said. “Students studied different decades and learned about fashion, music and world events. They looked at how students lived then and how things are the same or different today.”

Each grade studied a different decade and made an exhibit. Their work showed what life was like at the time. It included music, fashion and world events. It also showed what has changed and what has stayed the same.

Retired VSB teacher Carla Pace helped design and guide the project. She supported students as they explored ideas and shared stories about their school. The school also thanks Andrew Robinson, a woodworking teacher at Magee Secondary. He helped cut and frame the panels for the display.

Students shared what they learned about the school’s history and what the celebration meant to them.