THE DIEFENBAKER 25

"Keep true to the dreams of thy youth". Quoted by Friedrich von Schiller and spoken by Chris Gailus to the Class of 1995 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Words to live by from the Class of 1985 alumni. Chris, coming off a newscast on Global BC in Vancouver, takes us behind the scenes of one of the most sought after shifts in Canadian media. From Lethbridge to Calgary. From Dallas to New York. Make room for change, don't get pigeonholed, and let all roads lead you to opportunities. Even if they end up taking you to the High School Hall of Fame, always stand tall on this warpath.

Don't throw this communal living lawyer out with the bathwater. From coast to coast, the grass is greener on both sides of the spectrum. The treehouse owner's acceptance of the single life surrounded by environmentally friendly friends vs. the actor and barbershop owner's fondness of the family life surrounded by the likes of Jessica Alba, Viola Davis, Sandra Bullock, Alyssa Milano, and Ryan Reynolds. Scotch + Wine + Irvine + Gursher = a great time had like no other. (Warning - Contains Strong Language. Listener Discretion is Advised). Chief Cameo: Cindy Gillespie. 

Heather with the good hair. A bee once moved her car towards The Mall. Her loving daughters once labeled her as overprotective. I call her the lady in red and remain one of her biggest fans. This former Ms. Jones and me will prove you otherwise if you doubt her innate abilities.  The recipient of annual Christmas flowers since Grade 8 will always be the gift that keeps on giving.

This is definitely not the last resort to deal with a life curveball, but you can't beat spending quality time with a couple of special Dief Chiefs. Come for the Pickleball, 25 cent cigarettes, butter buns, and jazz, stay for the tribute to THE DIEFENBAKER 25. 

Call it the back nine; the fourth quarter; the third period; the remaining lineup consists more than just light, medium, and heavy skaters. The daughters of the Dreberts sound the alarms as the reunited Chiefs ride this warpath to the sunset. Chief Cameo: a fan of the 49ers (definitely not his golf score but rather the team he supports).

Good Morning, Vietnam. It's pho with a K at the end. Our valedictorian and her infectious laugh returns with a fries and gravy entrepreneurial side business. Foxanne's love for kids continues well into adulthood, and the mystery of Dr. Sears' vehicle is revealed.  Hazing, hookers, the infamous masturbation class, and Wabash, all with a je ne sais quoi.  Chief Cameo: a cold call surprise courtesy of cold cream face.

This teen spirit could have been lyrics to a Cobain song, but the western-style saloon doors swung open into the adult world. Ten acres of a nest egg surrounded by chickens and unlimited Marvel. Geek before it was fleek. The wrestling world was his outlet in life while his legacy features four canned hams.

Rated E for everyone, and explicit. California love to gangster's paradise, it's living in America with a lack of ketchup chips. From Sir Paul McCartney running in the American election to the Monday Cafe' at the cafeteria, find out if Badminton Byron picks Physics or Phys Ed.

Choose your own adventure: a) Drive a recreational vehicle across the country after breaking into the Atlantic bubble; b) Give birth to a baby in challenging circumstances and call him Chance; c) Refuse to give in to a gun carrier demanding money over the phone in Hawaii; d) Get married to somebody with the last name Sung when your name is Sam; e) Name your canine, D.O.G. Chief Cameo: Lisa Smith (Leavitt).

Psychologist by day, and therapy dog trainer - hair salon investor - First Nations advocator by night. Projects continue to present themselves to this castle dweller with a side of healthy brainwashing to silence the doubters. 

Oh, Danny boy, US college was calling. From your cannon for an arm with the Calgary Cannons gone. It's you, no social media, too, and your Tuxedo Sports discounts. Oh, Danny boy, you're more OG than PG.

Class is in session. Social Studies Sew will be teaching on life marbles, Life Signs, a teacher's everlasting influence on life, and the life of the tenth Prime Minister of Canada. Attendance required as the teacher won't be skipping this class.

All aboard the cruise during COVID, and surprisingly it wasn't as bad as it sounds. The group of nine is a third covered as a tickle trunk of notes are opened and read. From attempted monthly dinners to Coconut Joe's turning into a daycare, we climb this conversational palm tree that will make you proclaim, "I want to talk to other people." Chief Cameo: Lisa Smith (Leavitt).

22-24-26-28, who do we appreciate? The planned ages of having kids turned into twins as the 'Roo Two' make an appearance. Learn how to fly, not run, by using drama class to contend with bullying, working endless hours of volunteering, and focusing on the family.

A Grey Cup champion, two times over; she has the ring to prove it. This director of therapists and her clinic has treated more CFL players than any other in the country.  Two truths and a lie: she saw Nirvana before Nevermind,  she stole Dr. Sears' car to get ice cream in Cochrane, and she was involved in an Asian machete mall fight. The unbreakable one offers this truth to live by: it's really hard to have a future with one foot in the past.

It's all about Bob. Finding one's purpose in life and meeting your soul mate truly does exist, even as it transcends tragedy. The pages written in this compassionate book is a touching one.

This '$1.49 Day' blue blazer book is wide open. If you try walking in these ketogenic shoes, you'd be travelling the distance of Diefenbaker to Sandstone; who knows if private investigators would be following closely on your trail. From high school crushes (the feelings were mutual) to home schooling after a sex ed standoff, this is the deepest dive to date. Praise the One that turned water into wine, and Petra. 

August and everything after. One of the first homeowners of the class has his own island bubble, eleven acres and all. This former SAIT instructor proudly wore his orange Wallabies jersey that didn't make it on the third page of the Calgary Sun. 

To drive 971 kilometres to get a grad featured is a feat in itself. Drinks were in the house as the 'birthday pylon' of conversation was passed along, Asian flush notwithstanding. Chief Cameo: Rocky Chow and Julie Fong (or Fung according to the yearbook).

This stage adaptation consists of Calaway Park situated in the Rocky Mountains Picture Show, and a Death Cruise lit by filters and gels. 

If this was a book, its author would journal about 4th Street N.W., retirement destinations, drinking by the Big Rock, an appendectomy, sex talk, and in the end it would all be burned. Chief Cameo: Cindy Gillespie with an elite intro. 

Frisco, Focus, and Faith. Hark the Calgary Herald as this DC (doctor in Chiropractic) sings the St. Louis blues in the style of Boyz II Men.  

Growing up fast is an understatement when you're living on your own during high school. This chairman of the board continues to surround himself with sports, and the utmost knowledge that Paperboy the video game is not real life.

Their high school average: 101%. Four time zones converge for conversations on consequences of stress, calculus, and a cabin in the woods. 

High school sweethearts, a vehicular jukebox, and lots of lemon water with 5% alcohol. Mask fashion and news directing completes this trio of Chiefs.

What rhymes with fun? How about getting handed the keys to a teacher's car. It's the ultra in inertia as the land of the living skies is well-represented.

On this Dief, a child is born that's older than the class itself. Grandmother van der Westen talks temptation talent show and Consumers Distributing, among other things. 

Band practice and swim meets, all to death and back in a careless whisper (not necessarily in that order). 

It would be Hussain in the membrane if you owned a restaurant, a boat, a pottery studio, and a pilot's license in the span of a quarter century. 

The super friends of the Super Drug Mart/Saddledome predicts the pandemic as gravity pulls together high school kindred spirits. Chief Cameo: Cindy Gillespie. 

A hockey mom works the overnight shift checking out big cheques, and we visit the windy city with our second Canadian classmate living in America. Chief Cameo: Rocky Chow.

It's the grand slam of bromances. Best friends unite to commemorate about cross-country road trips and how the simplicity of sports can bind that bond. 

The parade of the lovely ladies continues for the Chief chicks. This was YouTube before YouTube. Count your crushes with fries, yes - no - maybe notes, and overnight bedroom window visits. 

The lovely ladies of Diefenbaker talk about stealing cars, fake IDs, and raising kids (not in that order). We raise a glass of Baby Duck to this fashionable group out in the field.

The earliest in our class to own a car and his school reports had the Midas touch. If only the golden arches of hair had the inclination of investing in Club Monaco and Apple stock during high school.  An apple is also placed on the desk of a teacher down under, with a hint of an Aussie accent, during a Tim Tam lunch break.

What would you tell your 1995 self? What would you tell your 2015 self? The first five of the Class of '95 ponders the aforementioned along with the conspiracy of COVID.