What began as a simple community outreach event has morphed into one of the most important Christmas traditions in Drumheller.
Drumheller Valley Secondary School is getting ready for the 20th Seniors’ Dinner on December 5. The dinner started 22 years ago (two years did not have dinners) and has become one of the most anticipated events during the Christmas season.
On December 5, Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) will host the 20th Seniors’ Dinner in the school gymnasium. The dinner caters to hundreds of seniors and dignitaries each year. The doors open at 11:30 a.m.
“Twenty years is a significant amount of time. It’s about 8,000 meals over the years,” said DVSS principal Curtis LaPierre. “We’ll have every student in the school this year participating in the dinner. Normally we have around 200, but this year it’ll be 400.”
Each year, students from the Foods class prepare the meal, while the remainder of the students wait on the guests, provide escorts, and provide entertainment.
It’s hard to imagine Christmas in Drumheller without the dinner, but 22 years ago it was unheard of.
“It is interesting, because the original idea stemmed from the student’s reputation in the community. The students decided to look at how they could change that perception and give back. We decided to show off the school and what young people can do, so we came up with the idea to invite seniors to come for a Christmas dinner,” said former Drumheller Composite High School (DCHS) principal Tom Zariski. “I got the original idea from a school in Edmonton that took some Christmas baking to seniors lodges. I thought it’d be great to have seniors come here instead.”
The first dinner was held in the old DCHS cafeteria and the school wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
“We had it in the old cafeteria, which seated about 125 people. We advertised and got the word out, but we didn’t know what to expect. Lo and behold, we got about 135 or so seniors at the dinner,” said Zariski.
From there, the dinner kept growing. The following year they moved to the Junior High lunch and games room, which seated roughly 250 people. Instead, they had 275 guests for dinner.
“After we realized the only space that was big enough was the gym, which could hold about 400 people. We’ve been in there ever since,” said Zariski. “Over the years, we’ve incorporate all sorts of entertainment, like the band and choir. It’s really become a school event. It’s been a great thing for the community and school.”
One thing that has changed little is the menu.
“There are a few things I do not tamper with or there will be a revolt. They expect the sticky date pudding, turkey, cranberry sauce. We might take a look at roast beef this year and I might play with the appetizer, but I’m not sure yet,” said LaPierre.
Over the years the dinner has only been missed twice, the most recent being when DVSS was being renovated and the school was being run out of the Central School building.
The dinner has also been recognized throughout the province.
“It’s won a couple awards over the years. We won the Alberta Teacher’s Association School-Community Relations Award a provincial Seniors Service Award, which is given to someone or an organization who does something special for seniors. They’re open to the whole province and the school won them, which is pretty special,” said Zariski. “I think some other schools in the province have tried the same idea, based on what we’ve done.”
However, the most important recognition comes from the seniors themselves.
“We’ve had amazing stories. One year, I was standing by the exit when I felt a tug on my sleeve, there was a lady who told me she didn’t know young people could be so nice. Some have said this is basically their Christmas, because they don’t have family or friends nearby,” said Zariski.
For LaPierre, the Seniors’ Dinner is one of many things that helps define the school and students.
“We have things in the school that become a part of our culture. We try to instill in our students citizenship and these events give students the opportunity to give of themselves and receive the rewards of that. It really sets the tone of the entire school,” said LaPierre. “It is one of the things that defines us as a school community.”
