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

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9 ifaf OUR PREFECTS LEFT-Nora Anne Richards, Glen Murray, Joan Malaher, Ann Jennings lseatedb. RIGHT-Louise Albertsen, Ann Carroll, Joan Davidson lseatedl. The Thanksgiving Service Our annual service of Thanksgiving was held on Friday morning, October 10th, in the Assembly Hall. In addition to staff and girls, several mothers of prefects were present, as these girls were to receive their cords of office during the service. As each girl entered, she presented a toy or gift to be sent as Christmas presents to European children through the Canada Save the Children Fund. After the service had begun with the singing of Prayer of Thanksgivingf' Miss Murrell-Wright addressed us on the subject of thankfulness, say- ing how very much we at Balmoral Hall have to be thankful for, and adding that we can best show our appreciation of this by giving to others, our toys for the underprivileged children that morning were a good example of this appreciation. After a Thanksgiving prayer in which the School joined in the responses, there was a brief ceremony in which the prefects received their cords of office. Witli a closing prayer and the singing of A Thanksgiving Hymn, this service ended. Ann Jennings, Grade XII. Presentation of Cords Until October 10 our prefects, who had earlier been named, wore no symbol of oliice. In pre- vious years the Head Girl, Games Captain, House Heads and Prefects of Balmoral Hall received during the first school term, their gold and green prefects' cords. And so this year, as a part of our Thanksgiving Service, cords were given to Nora Anne Richards, Glen Murray, joan Malaher, Joan Davidson, Ann Jennings, Louise Albertsen and Ann Carroll. Miss Murrell - Wright spoke to us about our responsibilities and asked each girl to think of our prefects who had been especially chosen to carry much of that responsibility. After the prefects had received their cords the special hymn, O jesus I have promised, was sung. Dawna Duncan, Grade X.

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Our Head Girl Nora Anne Richards Head gala VALEDICTORY Dear Girls, Another school year has drawn to a close, a year that seems to have slipped by in no time at all! It is difficult to realize that it is time for us to leave the school, and though we are looking forward eagerly to the new world we shall enter and all it has in store for us, it is very hard to say good-bye. A great many of my memories are connected with this school, since I have been in these buildings for eleven years, climbing the ladder from grade one to eleven. The buildings and grounds are as familiar and as dear to me as my own home. I will always remember the happy time we have had together. This year has been a very satisfying one, and I feel that all our projects have been successful. I think of how we worked to- gether for the coffee-party and the Red Cross drive, and it seems that one of the main reasons for their success was the spirit of co-operation with which they were under- taken. We are extremely fortunate in that we have the opportunity at Balmoral Hall to learn to co-operate, for this is one of life's most valuable lessons. Free men the world over are fighting for democracy, striving together for world peace and freedom, They are lighting for their principles and their ideals. If we are to goin their ranks, and light for what we believe in, if we wish to succeed in this world, we must first learn to work together, In union, there is strength. In our school life, we have moments of frustration and struggle, but we learn to deal with our problems wisely, and so to emerge triumphant, discovering that the world really isn't as black as we supposed it to be. Only those who have had to overcome obstacles are really prepared for life. I would like to thank Miss Murrell-Wright for her understanding and patience. She has taught us many things-things that we will remember long after we leave, for education is not only in text-books. To the staff go our sincere thanks for the interest they have shown in us, and the time and trouble they have taken to help us. To the girls, the prefects and I say thank you for your great loyalty and support, which have made our job so much easier. I have enjoyed this, my last year at Balmoral Hall, and appreciate more than I can say the honour of being your Head Girl. To you who will follow me as Head Girl for 1955-1954, go my sincere good wishes. Though you may enter your new position with much hesitancy and anxiety as I certainly did, I am sure that you will, as I did, find that the experience of being Head Girl is one that you would never have missed for anything in the world. May your last year be as happy and as gratifying as mine has been. Good luck to you all, in whatever you do. Love, NORA ANNE

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lO fi g ' ' A ff ll .: 6 L I TE R RY fa ,Q-ilk FR MSA-I -I, . -1- Mary Ross Hallowe'en Apples The door opened, and a gaily- dressed horde poured out into the street. Cowboys, princes, gypsies, tramps, witches and ghosts, all carrying large paper bags or pillow casesga party of chil- dren bound on the traditional Halloween canvass for apples. They filed along the street, chattering noisily. They came to a stop beneath the first street-light, where their leader, a black-haired, blue-jeaned cow- boy suggested to them: Lets divide up and each group do one side of the street. tMurmurs of approvalj O.K. then, half of you go with Janie, and half with me. We've got until nine-thirty. VUhere'll we meet? asked Janie, a gaily- dressed gypsy. Oh-uh- at the apartment block on the Drive. Get there about quarter after nine, so we'll have time to get home. O.K. The gang straggled off, dividing roughly in half. The group headed by the cowboy started down the left-hand side of the street. Stopping at each house, they grouped around the door and ltollered lustily: I-lallowe'en Appuules! They clutched in their hands pieces of chalk or soap, to make good their threats of Trick or Treat! Their chalk and soap remained for the most part unused. Besides apples, they were given suckers, fudge by a little old lady, oranges by a young couple with a squalling baby, and one man, apolo- gizing for having nothing else to give them, poured pennies into their bags, saving his property from chalky or soapy defacement. They were not al- ways so fortunate, for at some houses their calls went unanswered. Hey, Paul, yelled a black-faced, red-haired, young negro to the leader, Let's go over a few streets to Crescent Boulevard. We oughta get something there - the people are so rich. Yeah! Lets go! Well, O.K. We've got just enough time, if we hurry. With a shout, they raced off, their panting breaths making little steamy clouds in front of them. Heres a huge place! Wow! We ought to really get something here. Brring. Brring. Mrs. Burns put her book down, sighed, and start- ed apprehensively to the door with Bobo, the cocker spaniel, padding silently along behind. She could hear the shouts of Halloween Apples as she put her hand to the door. The cowboy, Paul, stood on the door-step, grin- ning up at her expectantly. His confederates moved a little closer. Trick or treat, lady. I - I'm so sorry, she stammered softly. The outraged shouts of the children made her pause, before closing the door. Aw, gee whiz! Aw, lady, be a sport!