Class of 2009 BSS Grad Reunion at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

2019 rolled around which meant that the BSS (Ballenas Secondary School) grad class of 2009 was hitting their ten year milestone. We celebrated at the beautiful Little Qualicum Cheeseworks on a sunny but slightly chilly late September day. We had the Knockananna Grill food truck and a toonie bar to keep us going. The venue at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is so incredible. We had a small fire with bales of hay to sit on at night, various farm animals and fun tractors to check out, oh and that sunset view of Mt Arrowsmith and Moriarty in the background was AMAZING. We raised $410 to donate back to Ballenas Secondary School, they were pleased to receive it and suggested they might use it towards updating their running track. Way to go BSS!

A big thank you to Ray Gourlay for providing the venue (it’s his family business and a popular destination in Parksville), and to Chloe Beach for her help with organizing and making things happen. It was great seeing everybody mingle and reconnect, catching up on a decade worth of achievements and experiences. Who was married now? Who had kids? Where has everyone traveled? What did you go to school for? Are you homeless and living in a dumpster? I found the group to be really friendly, accepting and non-judgmental, you could walk up to anyone and say, “Hi! Who are you, what are you up to?” I was glad to take photos at the event, it was a great way to boogie in to every group and introduce myself.

My closest friends in high school are still very close friends today- Chloe, Jen, Taleah, Jackie and Brenna, you girls ROCK! We actually do an annual girls trip ever since the first bachelorette party five years ago when Chloe tied the knot first. I’m so thankful for those lasting friendships and noticed that many other people still remained close with their high school people. Go Whalers!

Grad Reunion Vendors

Venue: Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Food Truck- Knockananna Grill

Photographer: Devee Photography