Oakwood Collegiate Institute - Oracle Yearbook (Toronto Ontario, Canada)

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THE OAKWOOD ORACLE The Oratorical Contest On the morning of February the twenty-first, the Senior Oratorical Contest was held. The contestants were five in number, which was rather disappointing as we had hoped for more this year. The speakers were judged in a similar manner to those of last year, by a vote of the Upper School teachers. Leroy Toll t3A.l gaveaninspiring talk on the Youth Movement in its attitude toward war. No one can deny the fact that he justly de- serves the Rochester Gold Medal, which was his award. Morrison 13115 who spoke on Canada's Future. wins the Senior Literary society gold medal. Day HBA held our close attention by a very vivid description of the life of Louis XVI, thus winning the silver medal. The two other speakers were Miss Eddy HCl who spoke on the great work of David Livingstone, and James Fenelon 15.-XJ whose topic was Hlflconomic Problems of Canada. The speakers all deserve praise and we sincerely hope that next year greater enthusiasm will be shown, and that the Intercollegiate Cham- pionship may be brought back to Oakwood. A Midsummer Night's Dream The Hart House Players were coming to Oakwood! How eve1'y- body was anticipating the event! We had all heard about their ex- quisite interpretation of Shake- speare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and it didn't take any coaxing to make the pupils buy tickets. The Assembly Hall was filled to overflowing on the night of Jan. the tliirty-first. Nor were we dis- appointed. The play was delight- ful from start to finish, the cast being excellently chosen, and every little detail was splendidly worked out. The lighting was particularly fascinating as it was changed Page Forty-Tivo swiftly and deftly to suit the mood of the play. The costumes too were lovely, and added life and charm. When the play was over, the cast was invited upstairs to the House- hold Science room. There some of the members of the Senior Drama- tic Group had prepared light re- freshments. How changed they all were, but none the less attractive, as they appeared a few minutes later in their every day clothes! They were a jolly crowd, and ap- peared to enjoy themselves while the girls did their best to make them feel at home. We cannot express our gratitude to them for giving us such an en- joyable evening and we are all look- ing forward to next year when we hope to see them again. Fifth Fo1'm Frolic Is the fifth form of 1928-9 dead, dormant, or just hibernating? It was rumoured that several former pupils, and even members of the graduating class, believed that we were at least asleep. Actuated by these rumours, the fifths held a dance on Wednesday, February the thirteenth, which cer- tainly proved their capacity for a good time. Mrs. Edwards very graciously opened her home to us, and with her daughter Betty, play- ed a large part in making the eve- ning a success. It was really a VA-C party, but we condescended to include a few VB'ers. The boys provided ice-cream, while the re- maining refreshments were taken by the girls, and everybody con- tributed to the good time. After five hundred and ninety-seven of the expected four hundred elite had arrived, the fun began, and lasted until-Y? Then acting upon the ad- vice oi' one whose desires we always strive earnestly to carry out, we attempted to the best of our abili- ty, to find the longest way home.

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THE OAKWOOD ORACLE use -s I , JV' FV X is V 7 Y .L . 'Pro i F Assembly Hall Many pleasant mornings have been spent during the past term in the auditorium. Everybody is en- joying the music on the wood-be Orthophonic, the only draw back being that we no longer hear both sides of the record. The boys especially, seem to appreciate a good march, judging by their in- ability to restrain their feet. Sev- eral numbers have been rendered by the Glee Club, one of which was accompanied by a dancing doll, trained by Miss Maitland. Upon another occasion we had the pleasure of seeing some of our crack shotsmen awarded both cer- tificates and medals. Altogether, asembly has been very enjoyable this past term. Archibald Flower Everybody was delighted to have Mr. Archibald Flower speak to us on February eighteenth, his theme being, Will, Shapespeare, the School Boy. This talk brought Shakespeare a little nearer to the pupils to know that he was a red- haired, freckle-faced little lad who ran about with the girls and did not take life too seriously. We are all looking forward to the time when we will be able to visit the little old school house which is almost the same now as it was when Shake- speare went there. Mr. Flower. himself froin Stratford-on-Avon, gave us such a vivid description oi' the beautiful home where this world-renowned dramatist lived, that it will live in our memories for many years. This exponent oi' Shakespeare has taken a part in several of the plays which the Stratford-on-Avon Players pro- duced, so with his particular in- terest in his subject and a charm- ing personality he has made Shakespeare seem not merely a figure-head, but a great genius. lt is extremely hard to express our gratitude to Mr. Flower for giving us such a delightful account of Shakespeare. We hope he will not forget us when he visits Canada again. Page Forty-One

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Art Note The price of our picture this year has been a source of much com- ment. However, we believe no one will regret its choice. The artist, W. P. Reid, thinks that it is a good sample of his work. It certainly is far ahead of many other pictures. The scene comprises two gnarled, weather-beaten trees, in the Cat- skill Mountains, with a little village in the background. The technique is bold, the objects are clearly out- lined, and not lacking in detail. The subject removes one far from the worry of school life into the free, open country. The Oakwood Girls' Glee Club The meaning of Glee is a song in three or more parts, sixty girls of this club have been singing at- tractive music in three parts and, in their meetings have found the other meaning of their name glee for the co-operation in song, the relaxation at rehearsals after a day of study, the friendships made and the parties held. have all been a source of real happiness. Chiefly confined to the lower school, the girls have age, as well as interests, in common and, encouraged by their popular, efficient directress, Miss J. Maitland, they have de- veloped into an organization of which the school may well be proud. That is the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Educational Association, expressed in a letter of appreciation to Mr. Gray, along with a substantial che- que by which the girls are to be treated. On the evening of April 2, the Glee Club sang in Convocation Hall CQueen's Parkb, before an audience of about two thousand eminent per- sons attending the convention of the O. E. A. Before and after Premier Ferguson's address, the girls rendered two numbers. Their smart appearance in uniform THE OAKWOOD ORACLE dress, their whole-hearted atten- tion to Miss Maitland's directing and their excellent tone in singing were praised. Miss Maitland, Mr. Gray and the girls have been re- ceiving compliments on their suc- cess in this first years endeavours. In the Toronto Art Gallery at the Book Fair last February, a triple trio selected from the Glee Club provided some of the entertain- ment. They sang two songs, one of them in French C Cloche du Soir J and did great credit to them- selves, their leader and their school, as the daily papers reported. Eve- ning rehearsals each followed by a merry party, were held at Miss Maitland's home and that of Eleanor Christilaw. The last public appearance of the Glee Club this year will be at Jar- vis Collegiate on April 19, where they are expected to sing at inter- vals during the Boys' Final Orator- ical Contest. A few appearances in the Assembly Hall have provided practice for the girls and enjoy- ment for the other members of O. C. I. Huskeen and The Dancing Doll, with Rose Levy as the pretty doll in a stiff-pointed dance, were the favourite numbers. Verna Nel- son, as pianist, has been most faithful and efficient. In January, the executive of the Club planned a party to which all girls of the school were invited. Dancing for the hundred who at- tended, an entertainment of mus- ical solos and duets, a dancing chorus and solo dances, followed by refreshments, constituted a very happy afternoon. Other little part- ies have been enjoyed by the Club members only. If you wish to share this glee and the joy of worth-while success, to make new friends who have a real Club spirit, don't miss one of the best things in Oakwood, but join the Girls' Glee Club when it is reorganized next September. Page F arty-Tlrree