Looking back, and moving forward
Born and bred in Cloverdale, educator Rick Hugh returns to his Alma Mater as a Vice Principal in September. The pending move inspired Hugh to reflect on his community roots and his desire to instil the same sense of ‘place’ in local students.
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Updated: June 05, 2009 8:07 AM
When September rolls around Rick Hugh will be forgiven for experiencing a hint of Déjà Vu, nostalgia, homecoming, or simply an overwhelming sense of place and peace.
The Clayton Heights Secondary vice-principal has been transferred to Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, the school from which he graduated in 1972, and could possibly retire from within the next few years.
Hugh confesses to a deep sense of ‘roots’. “Some teachers prefer not to live and work in the same area, but I don’t feel that way,” he says.
“This is really where my heart is. We have a unique town centre, traditions, a proud history...that’s a good thing.”
Both Hugh and his wife, Cindy O’Brien-Hugh, were born in Cloverdale.
He graduated from LTS in 1972, Cindy in 1976, and their five children, Chad, 30, Jennifer, 28, Jordan 26, Kevin, 23 and 20-year-old Caitlyn, who is considering a career in education, also attended the school.
In the previous generation Rees Hugh, Ricks’ dad, was a class of 1949 graduate, while Larry O’Brien, Cindy’s dad who was a former Hall 8 (Cloverdale) Fire Chief killed on duty in 1974, graduated from LTS in 1948.
“When I walk through Cloverdale I remind my kids that my dad is commemorated on a plaque in Hawthorn Square and Cindy’s dad only a block away at the Fire Hall. I think that’s great,” he says with pride.
When Hugh moves to LTS as the third vice-prinicpal (Cindy is on the office administrative staff there), he’ll reflect too on the contrast between the years he spent there as a counsellor and the student body of over 1600 greeting teachers in September.
He knows too, that what began as the Surrey High School built in 1912 on Highway 10 (before it became Lord Tweedsmuir and relocated to 184 Street north of 60 Avenue) still proudly serves education as Cloverdale Traditional School, and that his grandmother was the first teacher at Grandview Heights in 1922.
Both Hugh and his wife are founding members of the Lord Tweedsmuir Alumni Association formed in 1992 with historians such as Alan Clegg and Jack Brown.
Formerly a teacher and counsellor in other north and south Surrey schools, Hugh enjoyed being on staff for the historic Clayton Secondary opening in 2000.
“I like the idea of fostering friendly rivalry between the two schools,” he smiles revealing a competitive side.
“We already have the inter-school Rugby Bowl and the Stetson Bowl (basketball), students enthusiastically participate in the Cloverdale Bed Races, chili contest and volunteer at community events.”
“I’d like to see more involved in the Relay for Life (for example), Partners in Parks and Adopt a Street programs. With the LTS award-winning cheerleading, chef training, and automotive programs ( and more) Hugh sees the LTS future as bright, challenging, and rewarding for everyone.
Noting many founding families remain in Cloverdale, and most newcomers have inherited the abiding feeling of community that Cloverdale exudes, Hugh reflects, “With all the aggression and negative emotions in today’s world the anchors aren’t there.”
“In this rapidly changing world it’s nice to talk about these roots, tell our youngsters they are part of that, and take pride in all we have here that makes us, and Cloverdale, unique,” he concludes.
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