Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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11 The Unexpected It had been a warm and bright summer day. A gentle breeze played over the lake sending ripples scurrying like a school of fish dispersed by the slightest hint of danger. The sun, the sea, the sky and the land all reflected the quiet beauty of the verdant months. As we slowly made our way over the still blue water, view after view of unparallelled beauty met our eyes. Tiny symmetrical islands surrounded by softlyflapping water, jagged weatherfbeaten boulf ders sharply outlined against the noon day sun, shimmering rainbowfcoloured fish gliding through the clear waters, and the bold contrast of brilliant white sails with the deep blue waters of the lake, all stirred us to the quick and were lastingly im' pressed upon our minds. Our day was spent in peace and contentment, fishing, swimming, and enjoying all nature. But as the sun slowly sank in the west, disaster fell. In our intent gazing, we had carelessly come too close to shore, and only when a rippling, splintering noise tore in our ears, did we see the water rushing into the stern of our craft. We frantically began to bail and row away from the danger zone. We were managing to maintain the water at ankle level, but we knew we could not keep this up for any great length of time. Then my quick' thinking companions suggested that they bail and I attempt to mend the hole, or at least temporarily plug it. Catching sight of a board and rag under one of the seats, I clapped them down over the hole, and pushed firmly, feeling like a poor counter' part of the brave little Dutch boy. The water at last ceased pouring in, and a steady but small stream of water took its place. With makeshift strappings, we fastened the plug into the hole so that it would not have to be constantly held. We were safe at last. We soon realized, however, that in our pref occupation we had drifted into unfamiliar waters. Anxiously we scanned the horizon for landmarks. Not a trace was to be seen. Oh, why had we not watched where we were going? What should we do now? It was getting dark, and before long we could barely see where land began and water ended. For over an hour we rowed in a direction we thought might lead us back, but without avail. Exhausted almost beyond caring, our food and clothes drenched, we decided to anchor and remain out for the night, and start again in daylight. It seemed best to pass the island immediately ahead and then pull in to shore. We all worked hard, and had just rounded the island and were about to look for a landing place, when lo, there stood our own boathouse and dock. Oh joy! Oh heaven' No wonder, though, that we had not recognized the surroundings, we had never before approached home from this particular direction. With choking breath we swiftly bridged the last distance to the dock, and climbing upon solid boards, could now laugh over what, moments before, we could hardly face. SIGNE SALZBERG Grade X Night Flight Airborne! The airplane took off from the runway, heading straight into the blazing inferno of an autumn sunset. As we gained altitude, pin' points of light began to appear below on the miniature landscape, and suddenly we were enveloped in darkness. The blackened landscape receded from view as we began climbing through a heavy cloud bank, higher and higher heavenwards. Like a flash we broke through the cloud, and there, stretched before us, lay a new, silent world, radiant with moonlight. A thin wisp of cloud drifted past the window-not an ordinary cloud, but gilded with moonbeams, as though it were a curious angel, peering questioningly at this noisy intruder. Soon, off in the distance, stars began twinkling, as the lights of heaven were illuminated by an invisible lamplighter. Soaring still higher, we seemed to ascend right into the midst of the starry host. It seemed there were stars all around us, and if one could extend a hand through the wellf sealed window, one could almost pluck a handful of glitter. The huge void without appeared to absorb the roaring of the plane, for it began to grow quiet, and most of the passengers dozed, lulled by the steady hum of the motors. In my seemingly drugged state, I began to wonder and to question. In our own world, far removed from this beauty, was war, hatred, poverty and unhappiness. Why, when through a few thousand feet of space this serenity could be attained, could not the same exist on earth? Was it because of man's mind? Yet if man's mind could produce such a wonderful machine as our silver bird, which enables us to leave our own marred planet, and to ascend into God's realm to glimpse how God must have meant our world to be, it could surely conceive a solution to these problems. Then light began to creep in through the window. Fists were rubbed in sleepy eyes, dreams and thoughts were forgotten. Even as we looked, the stars faded from our sight. The moon had disappeared but the last rays seemed to linger in the dark corners of the aircraft. Before

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10 darling all the timeg doesn't mean a word of it. She's determined to get even with me, and she thinks this is the way to do it. I'll fix her. I'll accuse her right now. The maid came in and spoke quietly to Flora. Glena,j' Flora said, telephone for you. Glena was irritated by the interruption, but she had no choice but to go. Hello, she said sharply. Mrs. Drummond, this is Mary. You left in such a hurry that you forgot one of your ear' rings . . MARGARET GILLBSPIB Grade XII b... . . A Royal Occasion Having planned an exciting Thanskgiving weekfend at Virden with a friend, I was not al' together pleased to learn that I was going to Ottawa instead. It seems odd now to remember my gloom at the thought of the tedious hours in the train, and even stranger, my regrets for the algebra and geography tests I should miss. However, as soon as I arrived in Ottawa and felt the excitement everywhere, I was glad, for once, that the decision had not rested with me. Countless impressions crowd my mind as I recall that weekfend, but, above them all, stands the Monday morning when we waited near the Parliament Buildings to watch the Queen drive past on her way to open the Canadian Parliament. There was so much to see that the hours passed quickly until the moment when the Army, Navy, and Air Force guards of honour came smartly to attention, and we knew that the Royal coach was near. It was a warm, sunny day, so the Queen rode in an open coach, with scarletfcoated mounties trotting gaily before her on bluefblack horses. She wore her Coronation gown and a diamond tiara, and on the blue ribbon of the Order of the Garter were the diamond maple leaf brooch, and the fleur de lis pin given her by the people of Quebec. As the sun glinted on the diamonds, and her Majesty waved regally, a hush fell on the crowd, but in a moment the warmth and friendliness of her smile brought forth wild cheers. Children jumped up and down with delight, and a Frenchman called, Hello, Elizabeth! Comment ca va? I saw the Queen four times during that hectic weekend, at the Cenotaph, at Government House, and on the lovely Driveway, and each time at very close range, but this was the most thrilling moment of all, and I shall never forget it. PAMELA MACCHARLES, Grade X Le Printemps C'est le printemps! Le ciel est bleu, l'herbe est verte, et les fleurs s'epanouissent. Dans le parc les oiseaux chantent, et les amoureux se promettent d'etre toujours fideles. Tout est tranquille. Mais, qu'estfce qui arrive? fentends le tonnerre. je vois le foudre. La pluie com' mence a tomber. C'est un orage! Les amoureux quittent rapidement le parc. Les oiseaux cherchent l'abri. Les enfants courent a la maison. Le parc est desert. Maintenant l'orage est termine. Le soleil brille encore. Les oiseaux recommencent a chanter. Les enfants jouent joyeusement et les amoureux se baisent. Oui, le printemps est la plus belle seaison de l'annee. BRENDA HOWAT, Grade IX The Deer Over the hill and through the trees, I saw them run with graceful ease 'Til all but one of them disappeared. He raised his head and at me peered With soft brown eyes. He lingered there, And then for a moment he sniffed the air. He nipped the flowers around his feet, And then with joy, relinquished his treat. He stood very still, but then with a bound Crossed the hill, after glancing around, He came my way and stopped at my side. I raised my hand and smoothed his hideg I felt his ears and his cold damp nose, He nuzzled my hand and nuzzled my toes. I heard a rustling in the trees, I looked at him and saw him freeze, I saw his muscles tense and harden, And with a leap he left our garden. But before he reached the top of the hill, A shot rang out. He leaped and lay still. My heart felt sick, before I knew It, I was beside him. I knelt in the dew Of the flowers, he did not stir. I buried my face in the soft, white fur Of his neck, now stained with blood. In a minute or so beside me stood Two men whose rifles were fresh with smoke, Together they stood, but neither spoke. I stood and faced them, my eyes were grim, And my face questioned, Why killed you him? But without an answer, I left the scene, Where, a short while before, we two had been Happy together under the trees, Now crying sadly in the breeze. DONNA DAY WASHINGTON, Grade X Senior Literary Competition Prize Poem

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12 long there were no traces left of the paradise which had enthralled us such a short time before. Descending through the clouds, washed clean and billowy white by the night rain, we entered once more into our own world, resolved to do our part in its badlyfneeded improvement. We taxied along the runway, heading straight into the glazing glory of an autumn sunrise. JENNIFER YouNG, Grade XII . Two 0'C1ock The moon again! Why can't we remember to pull down the blinds? Sandy muttered sleepily, seething with anger. She sat up to look at her watch. Two o'clock. Where in the world does it find the pep to shine so brightly at this hour? There was a movement from the shapeless blob in the bed opposite. Val? she whispered tentatively. Another moment and a sleepy reply came, What? Are you awake? No Sandy was contemplating reading in the closet until she got sleepy again, when her ears caught the low sounds of conversation from the room next door. She threw off her covers and padded quietly, with bare feet, to the door. Turn the handle to the left, she reminded herself, it squeaks to the right. Hey ' she called in a stage whisper, You awake in there? Hi, Sandy, did the moon wake you too? Come on in! We're going to have a party. Karen got her food parcel today. The three notfsof hushed voices of Karen, Sue, and Ginny welcomed her. They sat in a circle around the array of cookies, fruit, and candy, and chatted and munched conf tentedly until someone casually said, There's nothing better than cheeze Ritz biscuits and tomato soup. Karen added that chicken noodle was her favourite. An inspired look appeared on Sue's face and she burst into smothered gales of laughter. Anybody want a bowl of chicken noodle soup? she gasped. What's so funny about that? asked Sandy. I have a package ofit in my drawer, that's all. Sandy still failed to see the humour, but Karen and Ginny both exclaimed, Sure! Why not? Then they explained the secret. Karen was the proud possessor of a popcorn popper which could be used with equal success for soup. Karen dived into the closet and, after a frantic minute of muffled searching, she emerged triumf phant, clutching the popper in her hand. The moon shone with all its radiance through the bars of the fire escape on the four conspirators as they sat in a huddle planning their escapade. Karen was delegated to get water from the bath' room, Sue was to crawl under the bunk to plug in the popper, and Sandy and Ginny drew the task of creeping down to the pantry for spoons. The two girls crept soundlessly down the hall and negotiated the stairs past the housemother's door safely. The next flight was more hazardous since several steps creaked. Approaching foot- steps sent the girls scurrying into the iniirmary as the night watchman went past on his hourly round. They heard a metallic click when he clocked his station on the third floor. The first floor finally attained, Sandy stood guard while Ginny swung open the pantry door and slid like an eel through the narrow space. Thankful now for the light of the muchfmaligned moon, she peered inquiringly into several drawers before striking the right one. Seconds later, she reappeared, four spoons held triumphantly aloft. As the two climbed the stairs, their expectant nostrils caught the faint aroma of chicken noodle soup. It seemed incongruous to be creeping up' stairs in pyjamas with hair in pins, and to be smelling soup in a girls' residence at two o'clock in the morning. Sue and Karen were already testing the tempera' ture of the soup and the tenderness of the noodles with eager fingers. The brew was pronounced ready, spoons were doled out, and the feast began. The striking of the big grandfather clock ref minded the girls that only four short hours away lay a new, full day. Sandy hurriedly said, Good morning! and crept back to bed. SHIRLEY DONALDSON, Grade X The Voyage That Made A Nation Her name was Elizabeth Anne Brownell. She had never left home in all her seventeen years, and she was frightened. She stood at the ship's rail and watched the bustle of sailors and travellers, a million thoughts whirling through her mind. Is sailing dangerous? What will it be like to live in a new land? Would she ever again see the little bake shop on the corner, the misty after' noons, or lazy London on a Sunday morn? As the ship drew away from the shore of her homeland, the tears swelled in her eyes. She looked back and thought, I have left dear England for a cause, and if the good Lord wishes it, I shall arrive safely in the New Land. Turning her back to the land, and squaring her shoulders, she bravely faced her new life. His name was Daniel Kummer, and standing just inside the borders of Holland, he looked back towards his homeland. For all the trouble and sorrow she had caused him in his short twenty