Woodstock Collegiate Institute Class of ’70 drops the mic on Kininney reissue

The Woodstock CI Class of ’70 2025 reunion crew photographed on the steps of its alma mater. (Duane Kumala-Thomas/Highlander Studios Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Fifty-five years after graduation, Woodstock Collegiate Institute’s Class of ’70 brought the Kininney back to its alma mater.

“The cheer lives, so the spirit of WCI goes on - that’s our hope, anyway,” said 1970 grad Glen Yates following a successful re-release of not only the Kininney, but the Woodstock Collegiate School Song.

The live reissue took place on the school’s front steps on Wednesday, Sept. 17, in conjunction with a reunion photo and encouragement from Lewis Tebbutt, a 90-year-old former math teacher and leader of the school choir. Thirty-nine attendees joined in, tentatively at first, said Nancy Yates.

“All of a sudden, I just felt like I was getting uplifted right in the air by all this energy around me.

“I think they heard us on Dundas Street.”

The a cappella rendition was sung from memory and followed by the Kininney. The familiar cheer dates back at least to Nancy’s mother, Marjorie Lock’s time in the 1930s, when it was performed regularly at pep rallies, sporting events, and school assemblies.

The performance drew the attention of senior WCI students on-site to assist with a Grade 9 information evening, quickly ascertaining a vocalizing assemblage of grads averaging 74 years of age meant no great mischief or harm.

“They moved inside and let us do our thing,” Glen smiled.

There is potential one or the other or both may be featured at future WCI events says Glen, as a boost to institutional spirt.

“They thought it was something a little different, something to stimulate a little interest.”

Today's students enjoyed hearing details of ‘historical WCI,’ most curious to learn a rifle range used to exist in the school’s basement. WCI's senior administration also checked the reunion group out, equally comfortable with their presence.

“They were quite impressed with our song and they took copies as well.”

The Yates describe the WCI of their era in idyllic terms. With less other options, school may have played a larger part in students’ lives said Glen, a hub for social and athletic activity, with highly engaged teachers.

Glen still has his football jersey from Grade 13 when he played flanker (wide receiver) and defensive halfback (safety/rover) on a Tri-County championship Red Devils team.

“It still fits,” said Glen, who wore the jersey when presenting granddaughter Jacquelyn Yates the Class of 70 Spirit Award during 2024 commencement exercises at WCI, an honour founded and bestowed annually since 1985. The award is presented in recognition of the graduating student who has most contributed to the development of school spirit within WCI during their years attending the school.

The Class of 70’s first reunion was in 1980, a second held in 85 with members joining in broader school events in 1996 and 2015. Their plan for a 50th was interrupted by COVID, with a trial run for the 55th celebrated in 2024. This year’s event drew comparable numbers but a distinct group, 39 of the original 110 Grade 13 graduates including Tony Winspear from the San Francisco area, Gloria Slater from B.C and Gay Hutchinson from Marathon. There are 15 grads on the reunion committee (Glen, Nancy and Gord Yates, Gord Marshall, Brian Markle, Andy McAskile, Bill Parkes, Judy Markle, Dave Wilton, Dave Hilderley, Dave Innes, Colleen McManus, Jim Elliott, Gaile Poppo and Karen Leslie). The committee can’t make contact with roughly 20 grads, another 20 are known to be deceased.

The format is low-key, casual chatter and WCI trivia around a barbecue, along with a group photo at WCI, and this year, an impactful impromptu production.

Nancy Yates was pleased to experience ‘no awkwardness with fellow grads, conversation flowing easily despite in some cases, a lengthy period between meetings.

“That connection is still there.”

“We had a great time in high school, everyone who came said the same thing,” Glen concluded. “High school was a lot of fun. There was a lot of camaraderie.”

Kininney

Kininney, Kininney, Kininney, Knigh

Hullaba, Hullaba, Hullaba, High

Rickety, Rackety, Rickety, Right

High up, Sky up, Red and White

Boomalacka, Boomalacka,

Bow, Wow, Wow

Chickalacka, Chickalacka,

Chow, Chow, Chow

Razzoo, Dazzoo,

Johnny get your Kazzoo

I Skiddy I-I-I

Zigaboom, Zigaboom, Zigaboomba

Woodstock Collegiate, Rah, Rah, Rah!

Woodstock Collegiate School Song

To Woodstock Collegiate,

our loyalty we swear

In classroom, on playing field

The red and white, we’ll proudly wear

And in the years to come,

Wherever we may be

The Woodstock Collegiate

Will be first in heart and memory.