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

Page 9 text:

7 Balmoral Hall, June 1962 Dear Girls, Once again it is June. Once again Optima Anni recalls for you the events of the year, and presents for some of you, your literary efforts in print. To these I add some glimpses of this School year, each of which is NEW and so makes this year different from other years. DALTON HoUsE - a NEW residence and a joy to all. AIKINS HOUSE - a NEW name at last for the White House and names on all the School buildings. JUNIOR LEADERS f a NEW group. I shall watch you with interest as you take your experiences with responsibility into the Senior School. GERNIAN - a NEW language choice-pursued with interest by a group of Grade IX's. Keep it up girls! LATIN - a NEW language for Grade VII. Latin used to begin in VIII but Grade VII's have proved themselves quite capable-Have a good holiday Grade VI-Latin in September! FRENCH CoNvERsAT1oN -renewed efforts in the Junior School and NEW emphasis in Senior School with final oral tests for XI and XII. We're not bilingual yet but we're going to be. TAPE RECORDER - NEW equipment to help with French conversation, music and speech improvement. And so we continue in our Search for Better Things . Who knows what opportunities will await you in September. Till then to the seniors who must still write examinations good luck, to everyone a happy holiday, and to those of you who are leaving, God's blessing on your new endeavours! Yours affectionately, We Thank You This year's magazine would not be complete without a special word of thanks to the many who are supporting our BUILDING CAMPAIGN, begun in 1960 and continuing until 1965. We are always happy to be remembered in a practical way. From the list of gifts which follows you will see that many have remembered us in many different ways. Every gift has added something to education or to the comfort and improved appearance of Balmoral Hall. Two chairs and a chesterfield for the drawingroom, an electric stove for the recreation room: a large picture by Robert Bruce for Dalton House hall, new rugs for Aikins House, wood for our new fireplace, names for all the School buildings, a special globe for our Senior Library, and a complete renovation Of the pillars and verandahs of Aikins House.

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THE PREFECTS Elsie Shzmdru, Hfrhvrtu Gvnsvr, Jwzmm- Sutlwrlzmnd, Durutheu Dvxupstvffr QSprmrt,s Cuptxuiul, Clare McCulloch, Carol Alhortm-rx, Julia Bm-rry, Dizuuf Mr'Nz1ug11t,rmn, Mildrn-d Shandro QS:-hool Captalirlh, Bcftty Nichul QHQad Girll. JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERS S'l'.XNDING-.Ianv Fr-rguson, Linda Gail Arnett, Murtvhu Grmxtrex. KNEELING-P:1trir'i:1 Spnrrmv, Dm-lmrnh Divksnu, Carol Armytage.

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8 lv SIGN5 TS The Power of the Alps Kathy Stevens stepped off the funicular and looked around her. She shouldered her skis and started trudging up the long steep hill to the ski- slopes. I'll make people notice me, she thought bitterly. I'll show them how well I can learn to ski. The young girl was so en- veloped in her wrath that she failed to notice the lofty Alps towering above her. Once she gained the top of the hill, Kathy put on her skis and set off across the snow, the awkwardness of a beginner was written all over her. It doesn't matter what I look like now- just give me three weeks. The girl's bitterness was deep-rooted. She was sixteen and very attractive, but her per- sonality did not match her delightful exterior. All her life she had been receiving poor marks. In no sport did she excel, no matter how hard she worked at it. You could say that she was a jack of all trades but a master of none. Kathy had come to Switzerland with her parents for three weeks. She was determined to become an excellent skier and win a place on the school team. After struggling up a small hill, Kathy shot down it-skis apart, knees straight, arms flying. At the bottom she sat down in the deep powdered snow. Finally after one or two more or less successful runs, she joined a class. Tired but happy, Kathy returned to the hotel that evening. In spite of her weariness she was pleased with herself and the feeling of bitterness had disappeared. The feeling returned, however, when she walked in to dinner and found a long white envelope at each place. When she found is -- po-Q7-1 :Ui I 7 -4lb N 4, Eg Q we-eeees m 1 ,CQ Sf Sf 5 R is U12 c+4-v-Qc'-er sofas gg-gan mags! c-EEUQ2 cms-1 2: ssgeg magna, 3'QL35.r4 ' F' 232-as El. 4-pin'-s 32505 wr-1502.5 : c'+Q -xl mr, ... 03205525 .m, .... 55505. gears Q,E:Q-E'-vu flmomg 22 1 QDFFC tlzgnfg-tg rn... - :og 'ODUQIS' 'CU'-imfb 3:-Hg 0972.5 Q1-Tom Each day on the slopes of Chantarella above the town of St. Moritz, Kathy's bitterness melted. Standing for twenty minutes in line at the rope tow did not bother her, it was worth it for one run. As her skiing improved, she was much happier. A smile crossed her face more often, her eyes sparkled with excitement and glistened with joy. She could even laugh at her falls. Now, for the first time in her life, she was genuinely happy. The three weeks flew by. Kathy's skiing improved rapidly as did her disposition. She made friends with most of the people at the hotel with no difficulty. She even learned some French, a subject that she usually failed. It was with a heavy heart that she turned and looked at the hotel for the last time. Two weeks later, Kathy car1'ied her skis to the slope where the try-outs for the school team were being held. Her cheeks were burning with excitement as she adjusted her harnesses. She turned her eyes towards the difficult slalom course below her. She had watched the three girls who had skied before her as they moved swiftly and athletically between the poles. At the top Kathy froze, poised for flight. Then she started whipping like lightning between the poles, know- ing she was making good time . As she rounded the last pole, one edge caught in the hard-packed snow. She rolled the rest of the way down the hill. When she stopped, a sharp pain darted through her right ankle, causing her to wince.