London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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720-ebay, THE NORMAL LIFE Why did I come to Normal School? My friends and neighbours askg And many times I'ye wondered why I tackled such a task. So many people do not know What goes to make a teacher, At Normal School they make no bout They'll make you a new creature. In Household Science, we did learn To scallop our tomatoes, And every girl did surely yearn lfor men, and peeling 'tatot-s. Science and Lit. were heaps of fun. The masters talked of beauty: Doc. I-Iolterd kept us on the spot, And Cupie did his duty. On Monday mornings, oh 'twas hard To keep our eyes propped wide, ll'hile Doctor Mark went on and on ll'e only groaned and sighed. Miss Emery had a hard, hard task To teach us how to draw, And even though she did her best Good art she never saw. In Manual Training we did learn just how to wield a hammer, Pop Hagerman was always swell, And didn't mind our grammar. Up in the gymn we stood up straight And still had lots of fun. llc wished to be agile as she. Our teacher-what a hon! The library was always full Uf laughing happy folk, Miss Gahan had her troubles, But she always saw the joke. I think the dream of all of us Is just to have a chance To teach a model lesson, And before the critics, prance, Some time we'll all be out of here, And what a joyous day, lVc-'ll teach the kids, and for a change We'll have the final say! B12'r'rv XVI-II'l'li. A Being on the Year Book Staff corrects dawdling habits. See them producing during the eleventh hour ! BEFORE AND AFTER That certain day on the twelfth of September Bring back memories dear, Because that was the day if I can remember That I arrived right here. There weren't the stately limousines Nor handsome guards bellowing calls, lfor all I saw, it apparently seems, lYere red bricks, shiny floors and empty halls. All has changed, and not by chances, Because we worked hardamid bloodand sweat . But to keep up morale we had some dances. Where the girl with a dragnet' was met. Many moons have Hoated by Since we were just ordinary creatures. But now the time is drawing nigh When we will be fullslledged Teachers. Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture Picture JACK Nl1AI.li, JUST PICTURE Ralph Lucas without those hlushes, Barry Moore without those crushes: jack Neale not teasing girls. Bruce Sitler with long blonde curls, Don Squire playing a church organ, Bill Speake without Mabel Morgan: Bob Reid speaking loud enough, the whole bunch, not thinking they're tough. Put them together and what have you got? 1945 teachers-the men of the lot. IRNA Ctfuxmt TO LYN I love the birds that sing at dawn, I love the soft cool breeze, I love all Nature's tiny folk That scamper o'er the leas. I love the sun high up above, I love the sky of blue: But best of all things I love It's you, my dear, just you. RALPH E. Lctpxs. A GIRL I think that I shall never see A girl refuse a meal that's free: A girl who doesn't turn an eye At every male that's passing by: A girl who doesn't like to wear An ox-eye-daisy in her hair, But girls are loved by fools like me, For who the heck would smooch a tree? BILL SPEAKIQ. Page Twenly-lliree

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I What of Our Canada? XYe are all breathlessly awaiting news of the collapse of Germany, the ultimate end of heart-ache, anxiety, suffering and toil for many people, Arising from this, there is much planning and many suggestions for our future Canada and future world. Many of us are dreaming of that world and picturing it, a world where in short justice and the four freedoms prevail. a world based on the wondrous Sermon on the Mount. Some argue that this world will never be. No dream or ideal is ever completely rea- lized. Or, if it is, that ideal is unworthy of us. XYe belittle ourselves in planning it for it has not been placed high enough. A man's reach must exceed his grasp. Our desire should be to strive unceasingly, to stretch forth our hands farther and farther so that our dream of a true Canada, where justice and truth are supreme, maybe realized. It will not be easy. VVorthwhile things are never easy to achieve. Thus, as the battle dies and the guns are stilled, when the work of some has Hnished, the duty, the privilege of service for others-for us will commence, and our day will dawn in the building of a new and better Canada, a new and better world. XVe should strive for better in- ternational relations. This is necessary and inevitable if wars are to be removed from the face of the earth. However, before we are enabled to understand others, we must first understand ourselves. Thus, let us think of Canada, of her past, of her future, so that our privileges and duties may be clarified. Canada-that vast, spacious and beauteous country-our country. Are not our hearts stilled and struck with awe when we think of her splendours of hill and vale, her blue sky, her quiet countrysides. the peace and contentment prevailing within her walls? In many respects the old axiom is true, that, as has been the past, so will the tendency be for the future. Many have failed, forgetting that the past has gone, the present is with us, and so to speak, has its innings for to-day. Yet the future alone is fraught with unlimited possibili- ties. Lessons learned from the lessons of the past should be constructive guiding posts for the future. This is true of Canada. Much of the past of Canada has been glorious, some has been failure. Vllhen America broke all ties with Great Britain and became a free country, Canada remained true as did many people in the United States. These people were forced to wind their way to Canada, among unbelievable hardships and difhculties. They did not falter. They have been a wonderful blessing to Canadian life and a source from which many of our best statesmen have come. Confederation in 1867 was in itself a great movement, so much so that politicians are loath to tamper with it and improve it. Yet we must remember that Canada is still young, not yet one hundred years of age. How can we expect her to be perfect with all obstacles removed? Vilhat nation has not undergone conflict in its birth and growth? It is quite evident, however, that Canada has leaped into recognition in the world during the last few years. Canada is a nation composed of all races. having an important geographical position and marvellous productive abilities. She is blessed with raw materials and mineral wealth of unbelievable magnitude. Above all, she is blessed with preponderance of blood that recognizes the merits of Christianity and what it has done for other peoples, as well as how the lack of it has darkened the lives of other peoples. Thus, I believe Canada's future is rich and endowed with great justified hope for even greater progress in the future than in the past. In this great progress of Canada's future we, as teachers of the men and women of to- morrow, are honoured in our task of htting and preparing young Canadians that they might live in close relationship with other nations and peoples as close friends and neighbours. In so doing, let us make evident the glory of our Canada and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it. Let us be thankful for these blessings and share them with the less fortunate in all countries, as well as those found in Canada. May we realize that of this heritage and these wonders of wealth, beauty and opportunity that have been granted us are ignored, if they are not given a chance to grow, if they are not appreciated, but buried in the sand, we may find them taken away as the talents were of old. The decision rests on us and future generations. VVe know what this decision will be Our Canada will grow true, strong and just, our world will live in peace and happiness, thriving in the joy of work and love-the joy of living. Vile shall always remember Churchill's voice, deep and determined, while ahead a dark and unknown path loomed as he uttered the words that shall live forever- VVe shall not fail. Now, as victory is nearing, as our future path is again unknown, let us, believing in our task, withfconfidence, hope and above all faith, keep whispering those never dying words, We shall not ail. JUNE F. LEE. Pu ge Twenty-two

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MARCH March, can you bring no warmth for me? I've revelled long in gleaming fretted snowy I was akin to frosty earth and sky- Vl'inged, raptured, flying with the snow. March, can you lind no peace for me? I've been a creature long of thund'ring sound I've been a brother of the blust'ry wind- Breathing, throbbing, singing with the sound March, I need the tender breath of spring. Give me again the painted skies: Show me how streams can surge and tlow, Let me see solace in the skies! GRACE Backus. DREAM ISLAND I saw the peaks of mountains Against the purple sky, l saw the tips of tree-tops Rise up into the sky. There were no birds of thunder Plundering sights like these, For war had passed this island And left it to the seas. I hope the mews and peewits Find shelter in those boughs, For the winds that whip the island, Themselves are birds of war. The snow will cover this island As it comes drifting by: The tips of the changing tree-tops VVill blend with the indigo sky. Then spring will come in April, And summer will come in june, But always the island's a picture, At dawn, at dusk, at noon. I spent a year on the island, I saw seasons come and go, And I captured one lasting picture, Silhouettes of the peaks in the snow. lX'lARG,XRp.'l' litem.. THE AFTERMATH I-Ie woke, and the bright sun shining Cast a gleam over all the earth: He sat with his head reclining And thought of the funeral dirgeg His comrade had just been buried 'Neath the cold, black, muddy ground: He had fought, he had killed: he had fallen He had won a name renowned. Oh, when will this strife be ended, This struggle of earthly fate, The broken world be mended, And men will no longer hate? Oh, when will this world of turmoil Be a free world once again, VVith freedom of speech and religion, And good-will towards all men? IVIABEL IXTORGAN. Page Twenty-four FAITH The earth is but a dreary place, A place of woe and war, It stands upon a precipice Hemmed in by space's door. Some people laugh and others cry, Some people sing and dance, While others live in death's dark vale, These never had a chance. That's what the pious man might say When offering a speech! But me? I think this earth is good If you but work and reach. Our Fathers slaved to make this land A place of love and peace, Our attitude blots out their aim Till this returns-wars shall not cease. So gentry of this rich, clean earth Break down the fence of hates, Instead, build up a bridge of love That faith alone creates. IXIARUARET BELL APRIL April in the starlight night Danced across the grass And left a silver thread of hair Shining as she passed. April danced across the night, And kissed the birds that slept, And left amid the growing grass The teardrops that she wept. COLLEEN BYRN15 CHARGE OF THE BRIGHT BRIGADE Half a step, half a step, Half a step onward, In between classes Dawdled the half hundred. Faster in the halls! he said, So at breakneck UQ speed Moved the half hundred. Masters to right of them, Masters to left of them, Blasters in front of them Volleyed and thundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do or die, Stormed the half hundred. lVhen did their glory fade? VVhen the reports were made All the staff wondered, Honor the try they made! Honor the half hundred- A relieved half hundred! RALPH E. LUCAS