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alumni are missing in the photo, as well as two up-and-comers. Photo courtesy of Chinook's Edge School Division.
It’s an unbroken record, spanning 44 years and two generations… so far. A single family has had at least one student enrolled in Poplar Ridge School every year since it opened in 1981.
The Belich family has had almost 30 individuals who can claim they walked the hallways and ran through the school yard at Poplar Ridge School. When you add in second and third cousins, the number of Belich alumni grows even more.
Notably, the third generation of Belichs will begin attending the school in the next few years, as the family’s first great-grandchild becomes old enough. At that time, the end of the second generation will still be there too.
This fact came to light a few months ago, when Principal Kimberley Cocks, who is relatively new to the school, was getting to know the Belich family while they were at the school helping out.
Upon reflection, the family realized that between the 10 original Belich first cousins, and now their children, there hasn’t been a single year at the school without at least one Belich child or grandchild attending.
Dan Belich, father to four former Poplar Ridge students (and grandfather to seven former students, two current students, and at least two more to go), chuckles when asked about the family’s record.
“I definitely did my part,” he jokes, recalling the many Christmas concerts he has attended over the years, and the many still to come. “I just keep going!”
Dan’s son, Andy Belich says the family settled in the area in 1920 establishing a family farm, which they continue to maintain.
“We love it here and we love the school. It’s a phenomenal school. The teachers and staff are great.”
Andy Belich attended Poplar Ridge in the 1980s and currently has a son who is a student there.
“There are kids that I went to school with, and their children also attend the school. Poplar Ridge is just such a good school!”
Before Poplar Ridge School was built, members of the family attended what used to be River Glen School in Red Deer. By the time Andy Belich was old enough for school, he went to Poplar Ridge.
**with information provided by Chinook's Edge School Division.