Altona Collegiate - Green and Gold Yearbook (Altona, Manitoba Canada)

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CHRISTMAS BANQUET On December 23, after a gruelling week of exams, the students attended their annual Christmas banquet. The banquet committee was bustling and scurrying around, desperately trying to keep scalloped potatoes hot and jellied salads cold. The tables which stretched in a long T down the hallway, were beautifully set and decorated—thanks to the Decoration Committee. A gaily decorated Christmas tree stood near the tables with a large assortment of gifts beneath it. By 7.15, everyone had gathered at the tables, grace had been said, and a jolly jumble of laughter, talk and clatter of dishes ensued. After the last slice of chiffon cake had been consumed, Rev. Freer, guest speaker for the evening, gave us a very interesting address. Carols were sung while preparations were made for the raffle draw of a Panda bear and a mantel radio. Audrey Friesen, presi¬ dent of the Student Council, gave us an outline of the activities of the council during the first half of the term. Following this, the Octette sang several selections. The evening was concluded by the dis¬ tribution of gifts. Table lamps were pre¬ sented to Mr. Thiessen and Mr. Goertzen. Mr. Warkentin received a set of books and Mr. Kroeker a pair of cuff links. Each student received a gift through our annual Christmas Box. The evening was successful and following it, the students left the halls of learning for a ten-day Christmas holiday. THE SKATING PARTY In midwinter, the students of Altona Collegiate assembled at the local arena for a skating party. All the old “pros” were there, and even a few newcomers awkwardly wobbled around. It was observed that the latter, for obvious reasons, had a frantic, glazed look in their eyes. The star attractions were the four collegiate instructors, who managed to stay “sunny side up” through¬ out the evening. At ten o’clock there was a mass exodus toward the school auditorium, where a lunch consisting of piping hot tomato soup, doughnuts and Cokes were served. Entertainment was offered by a group of boys who sang “16 Tons” and “Chain Gang” with effortless “har¬ mony.” Exhausted but happy, the students tramped home through the snow, with sounds of shouting and gay laughter following them. 38

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HALLOWEEN and INITIATION SOCIAL On a dark night in late October, mysterious and rather weird forms were seen making their way in the general direction of Altona Collegiate. These curious looking creatures assembled in the auditorium, the judges appeared, and goblins, ghosts, Indians, Colonial ladies and gentlemen, cavemen, cowboys, and various animals began a parade around the hall. Three prizes were awarded: The prize for the funniest costume went to Mr. Warkentin and Mr. Goertzen, who posed as a gendarme and his lady; the prize for the most original costume was captured by a group from the wild west-—Irmgard Wieler and Jud Friesen as two cowgirls, with Adelaide Giesbrecht and Audrey Friesen as their rather angular nag. Irene Wiebe and Rosemary Howe captured the prize for the best costumes, posing as an Indian brave and squaw. The Halloween social continued with an original and spine-chilling story, written and recorded by Mr. Kroeker. The next item on the program caused the Grade X, XI and XII students to grin in happy anticipation while the grade niners began to shiver and shake. Mild forms of torture were employed to initiate the newcomers to high school life. Mr. Thiessen, a new teacher, was given a roller-skating lesson—with a downy pillow strap¬ ped to his midriff. The next morning all were made to scrub the school sidewalks with tooth¬ brushes. Mr. Thiessen, disguised as chief engineer of a locomotive, officiated. Another highlight of the evening was ducking for apples, followed by games. A skit, describing the antics of a caveman dentist and his helpless patient, was enacted by Les Friesen and Don Braun. These enjoyable activities were climaxed with a lunch, which even the ghostly visitors and ‘fazzled” grade nines were able to enjoy.

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SILVER TEA Mrs. Butcher and Irene Wiebe, Judy Friesen and Rosemary Howe who acted as waitresses. Following the official open ' ng of the new collegiate by Honourable W. C. Miller, Minister of Education, a silver tea, sponsored by the Student Council of Altona Collegiate, was held in the spacious auditorium. Wives of the faculty members, trustees, and inspector presided at the tea services, and High School girls acted as waitresses. Floral decorations and soft music from the recently purchased Hi-Fi set added an air of distinction to the proceedings. Approximately three hundred guests were guided through various classrooms, library, com¬ mercial room and laboratory by the High School boys. On returning to the auditorium, they were served a dainty lunch of sandwiches, cake and tea. Sixty dollars was added to the school treasury as a result of the tea. BAND CONCERT In early spring, the collegians were entertained by the Middle River School Band. Forty smartly uniformed young students took their places on the stage in our new collegiate. Their opening number was a rousing Mexican tango. This was followed by the very modem “Waltz in Blue,” the overture from the operetta “The Student Prince” and a variety of marches and popular songs. A musical skit, featuring Hot-lips Harry and Bop-Riding Hood, caused the students to break out into gales of laughter. The final number, “Rock Around the Clock,” received such an ovation that the performance was repeated. After the concert the band members were served a delicious lunch by the members of the Student Council. The band then continued their tour of schools in Manitoba before returning to the United States. 39