SRSS reaches 50th milestone

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This article was published 11/05/2023 (803 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach Regional Secondary School celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 4, with the class of 2023 excited about being part of a milestone year.

“There’s a lot of cool people and it’s a well-developed system. So, 50 years makes a lot of logical sense…It’s good,” said Grade 12 student Keegan Dyck.

Dyck described interacting with teachers and students as the most memorable part of his school life.

“It’s those fun times you’re going to be spending in the yard, or whatever, having fun that will be memorable. When you kind of just crack jokes or make strong connections.”

And making connections was what it was all about at the school’s 50 anniversary celebration.. Former students and teachers new and old recounted stories about how they spent their time at SRSS. One of the people who touched a lot of students’ lives was former principal Elbert Toews, who spent 22 years as its lead administrator until his retirement in 1996.

“I love kids and fortunately I get along with them and they seem to get along with me. I’m very happy about that. In fact, that’s one of the beautiful things about teaching. If you’re able to relate in a good way, there’s hardly a better thing that one can do than being a teacher. I was very fortunate to get into that,” he said.

When the $4 million structure officially opened in 1973, Toews was vice-principal until he took over as principal in 1974. He grew up poor as his father suffered from multiple sclerosis and was wheelchair bound. He left high school in Grade 11 and became a teacher at 17 following a six-week crash course on teaching. Later, he got his Grade 12 along with a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of education, and a masters in school administration.

“Student interrelationships is always the best. I enjoyed my staff and I think we got along basically well. That was good, but again students make the difference if you’re a teacher. At least for a teacher that is committed to teaching and you’re committed to it,” he noted.

And committed he was, as expressed by Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, an Olympian who graduated from SRSS in 1988. She was a star volleyball player for much of her academic and professional career. She relayed a story how she was on her way to the Optimist Festival in Winnipeg, but had missed so many classes due to volleyball and music that Toews was determined to see her not miss another lesson.

“I did not go on the bus. Mr. Toews drove me himself!” she said with a laugh.

“I know we’re celebrating the building of 50 years, but it’s incredible how often, when you think of 50 years, you cannot help but think of the people that are a part of it.”

Sawatzky-Koop not only reminisced about Toews, but her music teacher who inspired her to study music as a major in university. She also cited her volleyball coach as someone who paved the way for her to go to the Olympics and have a career in volleyball.

“She made my dreams come true. She was absolutely the reason that she made my path to the Olympics possible. It started right there in that (former) little gym. For sure, (she was) the only person that I knew in the volleyball community who thought I had a chance,” she said tearfully, adding she still coaches volleyball in Steinbach.

And although the school has expanded by 110,000 sq-ft with the additions of a new wing, atrium, multipurpose room, hair and esthetics salon, music room and the integration of Grade 9 students, it really comes down to the people.

“Our school is a pretty building, I won’t lie. It’s beautiful, it is shiny. But the people here are more beautiful and shinier,” said co-principal Sherry Bestvater.

“If (Cam Kelbert, co-principal) and I have a wish, it’s that our grads leave here with fondness that they made some great memories, doing some fun things, learning some things, making friends, and being a part of the community. The greatest thing is when our kids go out and gain more knowledge, do cool things, play in the Olympics like Michelle, and then come back and give back to our school and community.”