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

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5lGN.6 7' 5 ,hgggg U 9 is -pu-47' :bd Q-A 011' xlxlsf , fy L LITEKHKY Af The soft morning sun peeked through the fluffy, blushing clouds, which blocked his view of the life below, perhaps of the old blue cab, that rattled and wheezed as it jogged along its familiar route. The hard, grey stone of the old English buildings was inellowed by the gently pink light and was soon to be steeped in the blithe beams of the sun, which would, in a few hours, wink brightly through the leaves. To the cab driver, it was an ordinary day for an ordinary man- His tired eyes scanned the sidewalks for any early cus- tomers. His face had become drawn and dejected over the last, lonely ten years and his eyes reflected the loneliness of his pre- sent life. The people that looked into his face, had the feeling that he had been de- prived of everything that he had ever loved. His recent grief permeated his whole face and was apparent to all those who came in contact with him. He had lost a son - his only child, and now he found that he had nothing in the world to cling to except the happy memories of tousled blonde hair and laughing lips. But these memories were not strong enough to sustain the kind of life that he was forced to take part in. The boy had met a violent death. Quarrelling with his friends, he had received a heavy blow which had sent him forcefully to the rough pavement. His' father could not discuss his grievances with anyone -- the world was too busy. S :s Q. -i :r cu F Q Q Q. -I Q sr cu 'I' :- 1, E Q -4' The driver was aroused from his deep cogitation by a well-dressed gentleman fran- tically waving his arms and shouting to 31'- tract his attention. He brought the old cab to a jerking halt, glancing quickly over his shoulder to be sure that the back scat had been dusted. The gentleman was half in the cab before he could even open thc door. G'mornin', sir, he said apologetically. but the gentleman had failed to notice his lack of movement. Three forty-nine Maplegrove East. the man replied gruffly and buried his nose in his paper. Pretty sunrise, don't y'think, sir? com- mented the driver lamely, attempting to start a conversation. l Uh-huh, grunted the man in the back. who probably did not even hear him. being deeply involved in the financial section. Anxious to pour out his grief to anyone. the driver began to relate tales about his boy and his death. M'boy used to get up on a mornin' like this 'n go fishin, 'e did. Used to love fishin y' know. You like fishin' much? No answer. 'AM'boy 'n me would both get up 'n go fishin' now 'n then, y'know. Used to love it, we did. Them was the days. Still no answer. boy died t' other day, he said quietly. Not receiving the sympathy that he had expected, he went on.

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8 2 Ialedictor Graduation 1965 - and time to say farewell. For a brief moment I put aside work and school responsibilities and think with en- thusiasm of graduation as the gateway to our future. Though the future is always uncertain we feel that we can pass through this gateway confidently, with the know- ledge, and training we have received at Balmoral Hall. We take with us many tangible benefits. Our interests have been numerous and have covered every facet of School life. Many of us have enjoyed at least two years in the School choir. Our book-lovers. have serv- ed as librarians and others on the Magazine Executive. During these years of learning and serving we have come to love and ap- preciate music, to value our library and its wealth of new books, and to enjoy the busi- ness experieoce of searching for advertise- ments. We know well that this part of our School Captain Head Girl school life will always be useful on the other KATHARINE Kii.oouR susAN Hu'rcHiNos Side Of the gateway. During our years at Balmoral Hall we have learned to be part of a group, each of us giving to the group something of ourself. Since Grade IV we have been in a House. Loyalty towards one's House is particularly evident in games when we compete with the other Houses in basketball and volleyball, in badminton andpeven ping-pong. We have vxlgorked hard in class and watched conduct and neatness points to keep our House on t e top. From this training in the House, as Class-Presidents, and on teams, we have become aware of responsibility, and in this our final year some of us were chosen to be Prefects, House Heads and School Officers. Sue and I have the honour of being your Head Girl and School Captain, an exf perience and an opportunity which we shall never forget. As I think of the total picture, I know that I take with me memories of the whole School worshipping together each morning and of other special services at Thanksgiv- ing, at Christmas, and of our Sunday afternoon Closing Service in Iune. Those of you who are still climbing the ladder to the Sixth Form, look for opportun- ities to serve - help to make your School what you want it to be -keep your eyes wide open in your search for Better Things. We know that much will be required of those to whom much is given. That we have been given much at Balmoral Hall we are aware - may it now be in our power to produce the much that will be required. KATHARINE KILGOUR, School Captain and Valedictorian.

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IO me was killed in a brawl pn Westcott. Quite a fuss that was, sir, the kids were bleedin' . . 'iDisgraceful! exclaimed the gentleman reading the paper with disgust. The picture beside the article he was reading was that of policemen attempting to subdue a mob of bleeding and fighting creatures. Thinking that he had finally aroused the man's attention, the driver went on. That it was, sir. lt's disgraceful that those people's kids should be allowed to bully other people's kids. lt ain't right, y' know. 'Alf the time, people like that dont know what their kids is doin' when they're out beatin' some poor devil up. M' boy was tryin' to defend himself, 'e was, an' then they started - . Turn right, here, interrupted the pas- senger without interest. The driver did not even finish his sen- tence since he knew that it was futile to interest anyone in his sorrows. He felt the familiar lump rise slowly and chokingly into his throat and his tired eyes began to sting. What's the use? he said to himself: who cares? Three forty-nine, sir? Here y'are, sir. 'AHow much? Eight and six, sir. G' bye, sir, 'n thank ya kindly. He stared longingly after the well- dressed figure that was taking long. quick strides - A new suit, with a fresh carnation was so appealing. It was an ordinary day. A lady com' plained about her arthritis, another chatted incessantly about her daughter's accomplish, ments, and an old man even talked about his butterfly collection. He could talk to none of them. His whole day consisted of driving and agreeing with Mrs. Chatham that her neighbour was completely in the wrong. At the end of the day, the old cab turned toward home almost without the guidance of its driver. The sun, like a busybody un- willing to keep her nose out of others' af- fairs, reluctantly sank behind the clouds which again blocked his hazy view. The sky above had become overcast with smoke and grime, giving evidence of the toil of those who struggle for their survival in a busy world. Having parked his source of revenue in the street, he approached the flat that he could truly call his own,- that is if he did not object to a dozen or more identical struc- tures surrounding his. As the rusty key turned in the rusty lock, an excited bark welcomed him home. A thin mongrel leapt at him in ecstasy, his scrawny tail wagging incessantly- A slow pleased smile on the man's face replaced the previous expression of concern and exhaustion. Guess y' miss Georgie, eh fella! slap- ping the bony sides. Go on out 'n l'll fix y' some scraps. The dog obediently obliged, and the man drew back the curtains, browned at the edges with age and dampness, to catch a few of the receding beams and lighten the shabby room before he had to light the gas. He stared out on to the dirty street, com- pletely enveloped in a reverie of happy me- mories. His momentary happiness was dis'- turbed by an almost apologetic scratch at the door. He allowed the dog to enter and headed toward the cupboard to get the rest of his breakfast soup. The dog's bright. spirited eyes followed the man's tired shuffle and watched him light the fire and heat his soup. While waiting for the soup to warm, he cat invitingly in one of the few chairs in the room and the dog bounded into his lap. He often sat and listened to the man. but could only tell by his tone of voice what his feelings were. The man scratched his cars and gently stroked his head. HY' know, 'enry, I often wonder what's the point of goin' on in this world when you're so unimportant that nobody gives a damn about your losses or needs. With that he shuffled away to rescue the precious contents of the heavy steel pot, lest it escape and be destroyed if not treated and watched with care PAME-LLA KAYSER-FOTIH VI The Price Une there were grain fields, gold in the sun. Once, through rain, barefoot children did run. Once the gentle winds kissed the good ri-ch earth. Gnce the eyes of men held laughter and mirth. Then came the war, destructive and bad. Then came soldiers and took all we had. Then our men left to fight and to die. Then we women, tearfully, stood by. Now this land lies deserted and bare. Now it is barren because of no care. Now l'm a widow with children three, But, now our country is finally free. JUDITH DOWLER-Form V