Author's Note

In writing this book, I hoped to create a ’biography’ of the Collegiate, rather than simply a historical account. Although the term biography is generally reserved for tales of people, I believe that it is appropriate in describing the life of Portage Collegiate Institute. There is no doubt in my mind that, after over a century of existence, PCI has taken on a life of its own. After all, it is not the building or any of its books, desks, or chairs, but rather the people that are proud to call themselves Collegians, who comprise what we know as our PCI.

My goal in using alumni interviews to recount each decade was to create as a personal a story as possible. If even one reader, upon picking up this book, can laugh or reminisce with an old friend over a long-forgotten memory of their high school years, then I consider my goal accomplished.

That being said, there are a number of people without whose hard work and dedication this project would not have been possible. I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to several people — to PCI teacher James Kostuchuk for helping get this project off the ground and for his contin- ued guidance, to Jim Pehura, Cathy Hoover, and Barry Bills for their invaluable contributions, and to fellow PCI grad Kimmie Halwas for her tireless and thorough work in interviewing Collegiate alumni for this book. Also, I’d like to thank the PCI Reunion Committee 2005, the PCI Archive, and all the interviewers and interviewees.

— Lisa Pao, 2005