WREA Celebrates 25 Years as an RTAM Chapter

WREA Celebrates 25 Years as an

RTAM Chapter Article and photos by Judy Olmstead

Westman Retired Educators’ Association celebrated its 25th anniversary as a chapter of RTAM with an anniversary cake at their AGM luncheon on April 11, 2017. There was a very active Westman Retired Educators group as early as 1975, which was involved in publishing books and developing slide programs related to the teaching of children, furnishing a club room with shuffleboard, pool and card tables, and enjoying bridge together. In September 1991, this group formulated their constitution and became the 5th chapter of the newly organized RTAM.

To mark the 25th anniversary, WREA also decided to grant an award to a student or group of students. The Brandon School Division Youth Revolution group, comprised of 600 students from grades 5 through 12 in Brandon schools, was chosen as the recipient of the $500 award. The YR group is now rooted in volunteerism and philanthropy, with the students bringing forward ideas and deciding where they want to go. The YR group will decide on a project or projects for using the award in the 2017-2018 school year and report back to WREA.

The J.R. Reid YR group just completed work on a joint project with the Vincent Massey YR group, and the award was presented at their celebration lunch on May 2, 2017.

Shown are students from J.R.Reid accepting the award on behalf of Youth Revolution from Judy Olmstead (Past President) and Darlene Wilkinson (President) of WREA. n