Mural preserves memory of General Panet High School

By Patricia Leboeuf | May 30, 2019 | Local
Group of people standing in front of mural of building hung on side of building
A large mural of General Panet High School on a wall of the CANEX SuperMart was unveiled on May 13. A group of alumni has been dedicated to paying tribute after the original school was demolished, and after two years, the mural became a reality. At the unveiling were, from left, Major Josh Bye, Officer Commanding of Canadian Forces Real Property Operations Detachment Petawawa and his Regimental Sergeant Major Master Warrant Officer Andrew O’Connell; Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Louis Lapointe; Alumnus Dan Shannon; artist John Ellenberger; 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa Operations Services Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Joe Hartson; Alumnus Bob King, CANEX General Manager Gerald Doner, Town of Petawawa Councillor James Carmody, Michelle Gouthro; and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Tom Verner, Garrison Petawawa CWO. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

General Panet High School (GPHS) Alumni honoured their alma mater by erecting a mural on the outside wall of the CANEX Supermart.

The mural, created by airbrush artist John Ellenberger, represents the high school in its prime before it was demolished in 2015 to make room for the new CANEX. Spurred on by fond school memories, a movement emerged soon after to pay tribute to this former Garrison Petawawa high school.

Now, despite the lack of bricks and motar, former students will have something physical to remember it by.

“The school building is gone, but those who attended will now be able to look at this mural and enter into nostalgia,” said Alumnus Dan Shannon. “Our precious memories and good times at this school will now be regenerated.”

From 1960 to 2015, the site was home to General Panet, which was attended by thousands of students over the decades. Most were military children who forged tight bonds and friendships that have remained a cherished part of their lives. School reunions are held regularly and alumni still keep in contact despite living across the country.

Many of them were saddened to see the building go.

Alumni Shannon and Bob King started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a mural, a project that took about two years and $18,000 to achieve.

On May 13, the 8x32 foot mural was officially unveiled to the public.

It is a fitting tribute, said Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel (Col) Louis Lapointe.

“Schools are very important to our communities,” he said. “They are formative. This is where you develop your roots, your sense of belonging... This is also where you make friends that will be your lifetime friends as you grow up.”

Valour JK-12 School may have replaced GPHS, but the spirit of Panet lives on.

“It is still the same people that are there and the same great kids that are part of our community,” said Col Lapointe, “so I think the spirit will never die. I think it will remain in the community.”

The mural can be seen on the exterior of the CANEX SuperMart. Other pieces of GPHS memorabilia can be found inside.