Arthur Voaden Secondary School, 100 Years! by Peri Hayes Ken Kokko, alongside Evelyn Spiering, is co-chairperson for facilitating the 100th anniversary of Arthur Voaden Secondary School (AVSS). Ken was involved with the executive group who organized the 90th Reunion, voicing, “We knew that we had to have a 100th celebration -- a Centenary.” Located at 41 Flora Street, AVSS will be the venue for the main attractions. There will be activities available on each respective day during the weekend of September 25th to 27th, 2026. “We are the umbrella celebration of 100 years,” Ken enthuses. Meanwhile, he shares the ways in which they are encouraging former AVSS clubs, sports teams and extracurriculars to congregate for their own reunions. Ken offers that he and his team will gladly support the promotion of these gatherings by posting the scheduled details online. As Ken describes, “By having these smaller reunion groups at designated times, we can encourage more people to attend the main event.” While the particulars for the Centenary are subject to change before 2026, this event entails the following to date: Registration and a School Tour will occur Friday afternoon, with their Wine and Cheese Social in the evening; retired teachers will prepare a BBQ on the Saturday before their evening Dance; the Sunday will include their brunch and closing ceremonies. “This school is very beautiful,” Ken exclaims. “I went there in the 80s, and was involved with school activities. I want to see the school celebrated the way it should be after 100 years.” Richard Haddow, AVSS alumnus from the 60s, shares that he was heavily involved in a previous Arthur Voaden anniversary and was
drawn back to this symbolic space: “I’m on a committee with four other people that are involved with getting sponsorships and special events. Through the committee, we decided to have a Trivia Night one year before the actual Centenary, which took place this past September 27th at The Back Alley. It was a great success. We find that everyone wants to get involved. When we talk to St. Thomas folks, either they went to Voaden or their grandkids and friends did. The committee has had great response for sponsorships from our corporate community in St. Thomas, and local and surrounding area businesses have been very supportive.” This November, the AVSS float will be in the St. Thomas Santa Claus Parade. Ken attests, “The float is looking great, and we have a wonderful bunch of volunteers working on this.” Visit the voaden100.com website for updates about their anticipated Centenary, and direct inquiries through this platform. Moreover, the ‘Arthur Voaden Centenary Group’ Facebook page is another resource. With the planning of these exciting events in progress, tickets will become available for purchase in 2026.
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Page 6 Hometown St. Thomas • November 2025
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