John Rennie High School

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Students from John Rennie High School organized a high-tea get together with seniors from neighbouring residences in the school’s library late last week.The JRHS senior school band, led by Craig Hodgson, played a twenty-minute symphony performance to entertain guests at the event. The gentle melodies penetrating the ambience surrounding the roomful of attendees, young and old, sweetened the mood.

Scones, sandwiches and sweet treats, prepared by the JRHS Home and School Association, were served by student volunteers along with tea and coffee at each two-hour service offered to three neighbouring seniors residences.

Community cultural animator at JRHS Beverly Landry told The Suburban that multiple factions of the student body are required to come together in order for this kind of event to run smoothly. “These kind of events highlight the excitement that teens have toward spending time with seniors. Many different students are involved; some spend time making art and cards, some make the handmade soaps or candles, we have the groups preparing decorations and the green team preparing the honey.”

“It is very impressive to see what the students have put together here today. From the time we walk in, to the service and entertainment; their interest in us is very appreciated,” one of the senior residents named Margaret told The Suburban.

Patricia, an elderly attendee who graduated from JRHS in 1959, said that it is “weird” to be sitting in the new expansion of her “old stomping grounds” attending an event that is recognizable in nature to persons belonging to her generation. “It is nice to talk to students and learn about their interests and goals,” she told The Suburban.

Students and seniors, some of whom were former JRHS students themselves, engaged in conversations at the elegantly decorated tables swapping stories, laughing and sharing ideas. The students displayed an impressive amount of enthusiasm, not only in the services and entertainment offered but also in their interactions with their guests.

“I feel like a lot of young people spend a lot of time with technology, on their phones, and don’t get the chance to talk to the elderly. I feel like it is good to get to know them and talk to them about the new things coming into the world,” Grade 11 student at JRHS Zakai said to The Suburban.

“I feel it is very important to make sure that we connect with the elderly as John Rennie students, but also just as people in general. I feel like we lost our connection throughout the pandemic. We have more in common than we know and it is good for them to see the youth, so that they can trust us and think that the future is worth something,” Grade 11 student at JRHS Lukas told The Suburban.

“It is very important for us to learn how things were in a different time and it is very good for them to stay connected with how things are now,” Grade 11 student at JRHS Ryan added. n