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

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EDITORIAL Shirley Zucker Editor It happened again last November. Months prior to the federal elections, statements, promises, oaths and accusations flew back and forth. For the candidates it was a battle of wits. They were fighting each other in order to win votes. Yet all candidates were united in a struggle against a common enemy — public apathy. The people just are not interested any more. They are fed up with elections and Canadian poli- tics. This disinterest was blatantly obvious when election day came, and so few voters turned up at the polls. Enthusiasm and concern for Canadian politics comes only from a group of people who have not been given the franchise — today ' s youth. These are the people who have, on the whole, been most completely educated. These are the people who flock to political rallies because of a serious desire to understand and evaluate the issues. Yet society has not recognized their capabilities by giving them the right to vote. The right is withheld on the pretense that young people be- tween the ages of 18 and 21, and I am speaking specifically about this age group, are not respon- sible enough. This is a ridiculous assumption. Most eighteen-year-olds are either still in school or out in the employment world (there are very few alternatives). The average eighteen-year-old stu- dent is approaching or has reached university level. He has studied the history of most of the democratic nations of the world. He has an under- standing of democracy — its weaknesses and its strengths. He has studied literature and is able to detect flaws in argument, thus making him less susceptible to propaganda than the average citi- zen. He is idealistic, yet he can be objective in his political taste because his thinking is not coloured by monetary motives. He is, therefore, as quali- fied or even more so than the average older citizen to make a wise political decision. Why deny such a person a privilege in which he is interested and which he is capable of handling? The working teenager is no less qualified to vote than the average citizen. He, furthermore, is directly affected by almost all legislation. In a democractic society, he should have a say in how his taxes are spent. In all other ways, he has the responsibilities of an adult citizen, but he is denied the most basic privilege of an adult. This is not democracy. Society, in extending the right to vote to those 18 years of age or older, would be taking a step towards democratic ideals, and would be acknowl- edging the fact that today ' s young people are capable and interested. Canada would then truly possess a youthful drive and spirit.

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Odkwood Mdcoma.. MR. BELL Mr. Bell taught in the Mechanical Engineering Department of U. of T. before finding himself in Oakwood ' s hallowed halls. He is now teaching science, mathematics and physics to Oakwoodites who, in his opinion, live up to the motto: Every girl a lady; every boy a gentleman . MR. CHANG Mr. Chang has come to Oakwood all the way from Hong Kong. He received his B.Sc. at St. John ' s University in Shanghai. Presently teaching mathematics and physics, Mr. Chang is interested in classical music. We hope that he enjoys teaching in Canada. MR. DUNLEVIE Mr. Dunlevie has returned to the sanctity of Oakwood to teach Latin after four years at River- dale. His hobbies include reading, music, squash and skiing. We are hoping he will enjoy his present stay at Oakwood as much as he has in the past. MISS GOUCH Miss Gough, one of the team of gym teachers, is a graduate of U. of T. in Physical and Health Education. In her spare time, she likes to play bridge, read and sew (not all at once)! MR. GREEN Mr. Green received his B.A.Sc. at U. of T. and went on to take a course in Business Administra- tion. His hobbies range through sports to business analysis. Mr. Green is now teaching mathematics and physics and is serving as the Oracle ' s business manager. He says he is pleased to be associated with the fine staff and student body of O.C.I, and we are just as pleased to have him with us. MR. WARNER Mr. Warner taught in Gait after receiving his B.A. at U. of T. He now teaches English to Oak- woodites whom he finds very earnest. We are hop- ing that he will continue to see us in this favour- able light. MISS JOHNSTON A new face in the Home Economics room is Miss Johnston, who comes to us from Listowel District Secondary School. Although she enjoys horseback riding, painting and travelling, she does not seem to enjoy the task of carrying groceries. Come on, Oakwoodites! Let ' s give Miss Johnston a hand. MRS. MACBETH Oakwood welcomes Mrs. MacBeth from New Brunswick where she taught at Saint John High School. Her many hobbies include skiing, skating and travel. Mrs. MacBeth finds Oakwoodites very outspoken and self-assured. She seems to be catch- ing some of our contagious school spirit. MR. MARTIN Mr. Martin hails from London town (England that is). Besides teaching physics and chemistry, his interests include music and bridge. We Oakwood- ites find Mr. Martin really first class. MR. MAYHEW The new member of Oakwood ' s Sports World is Mr. Mayhew. He comes from Queen ' s University. He enjoys spending his leisure time in skiing, swim- ming and the theatre. Mr. Mayhew finds it a pleasure working with Oakwoodites as we are sure they enjoy working with him. MISS MILLS Miss Mills has come to us from Oakville. Majoring in Mathematics and Physics, she received her B.Sc. at U. of T. We hope that she will enjoy her stay at Oakwood. MR. RAYMER Mr. Raymer, the new head of our Physics Department, spent eight years in industry as an electronics engineer. He is another skiing and music enthusiast as well as working in amateur radio. MR. TAYLOR Being new to Toronto, Mr. Taylor heard rumours about Oakwood and he decided to teach here to see if they were true. Evidently he has not been disappointed.

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