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

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Sarah's mind was in a daze and her frail shoulders shook as she sobbed. Her face was sore and the beautiful rose colour had been drained from her cheeks. The lights of a nearby town-house flicked on, and in a matter of a few minutes, the door creaked open. A short, plump figure stood silhouetted in the door- way. Sarah tried to force herself to her blistered feet and then to run, when a woman's gentle voice called out. Sarah's feeble limbs felt almost useless, although the gentle voice gave her more strength and helped to reassure her. She remembered little after that, for her mind seemed far away. However, this did not prevent her from knowing that these people were kind and would help her. During the next half hour she was reclothed given a hot drink and put into a warm, comfortable bed. Although she was not yet home, she felt less worried and her mind was clearer. The door was shut, excited children were hushed, and the room was left dark and silent. Her eyelids felt heavy and her lashes closed together as she drifted asleep. Iane Lawson, Form l First Prize Junior Short Story c.oui.o ae Q-lawn It mama B I . Z. --FT: ? I It 1 'I A PEBBLE There l lay on that pebbled shore With millions of others just like me. Mixed and mingled as common pebbles So no one was better than his fellow. This was my simple life Until Fate saw me, and picked me up To throw me upwards as hard as he could. l rose like a soaring eagle Up to the top of the clouds, To the peak of my life. The road upwards was fast and straight Following the path of my ambitions and hopes. l reached the clouds but could not stay for long Because they could not hold my weight. Slowly l fell through, leaving about me, Scattered remnants of floating clouds. My memories of the peak of my ambition. I fell gently as a feather down to Earth into a mirrored pool. l made a splash as I sunk, My mark of glistening ripples Ever fading until at last they died. As my memories died a lingering Death after I was gone. Now nothing is left to show That I was there. Donna Rogers, Form lll Honourable Mention Intermediate Poetry TR, 'rue BELLOQ 2. Loveel? YOLL

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ESKIMOS They come and go Through perpetual winter's cloak, Trudging, dreary, weary through the blinding snow Never yielding--no, never a word. Their faces rimmed with native furs, Their shining black eyes, deep wells of emptiness Their teeth--upspringing white flowers in the soft warm earth. Trapping, hunting, fishing--year in, year out They come and go Lorraine Murray, Form IV First Prize Intermediate Poetry NIGHT IN THE FCREST The silence of the woods is broker. By the call of the wild geese flying Across the moonlit sky. A hunter's Shot echoes through the lonely night. The Peaceful lake is still, except for small Ripples washing up onto the shore. Deer bashfully walk out of the edge Of the forest for a moonlight drink. Occasionally a fish may be Heard splashing in the water. A loud cry Warning the animals danger is Approaching. Finally all the creatures Have settled down and gone off to sleep, And now the forest is silent except For an occasional rustle, splash, Or perhaps a cry from soome sleepless Animal. Nancy Lemon, Form ll First Prize Junior Poetry BONJOUR MONSIEUR PUSSYCAT Bonjour Monsieur Pussycat, Que s'assit upon my mat. Comment tu est beau today, Peut-etre you should s'enaller. Le grand chien is over there So lave vos pattes tout de suite mon cher. ll n'aime pas cats near chez lui. ll est mechant. lsn't he? So au revoir mon pussycat Cherchez-vous une autre mat. Louise Nebbs, Form Il Third Prize Junior Poetry LOST The dark street glowed with the last hours of dusk. It then began to grow darker and the cobble- stone grew colder. The narrow street was lined with tall, town-houses, whose overhanging second stories caused the street to be dark and gloomy. The bustle of the day was settling down to quiet and rest. The darkness seemed thick, like a heavy fog, as it settled slowly over the village. She fell once, then twice and drooped her weary head from utter exhaustion. Her name was Sarah. She was a tall, slight girl with a small, curved mouth, and large, brown eyes which were framed with thick, black lashes. Her delicate and fine-boned face added much to her rare attractive- ness. Her main feature was her long, glossy brown hair which hung, tangled, to her waist. Sarah wore a thin and faded blue cotton dress that hung loosely on her small shoulders. It was almost completely soaked through, and was badly in need of some mending. She had no shoes and her bare feet, which she tried to keep warm by tucking under herself, werevcold and wet. Earlier, she had wandered out from the warmth and shelter of her poor home, to escape from the noise and fuss of her ten brothers and sisters and, in a short time, had found herself lost.

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THE CHOIR Though music has always played an important part in our school life, its role expanded this year. Four hymn numbers had to be found amid the usual noise every Wednesday morning. Friday Prayers were filled with music, and usually an anthem was sung for our frequent guest speakers. Music, as one of the universal means of communication, added its mean- ing to our morning worship. Mrs. Birse and Mrs. Belyea led the Choir through the Thanksgiving and Memorial Services. The Christmas Carol Service with the play directed by Mrs. Curnow, and the beautiful music, was a highlight of the Choir's year. We struggled hard with some rather difficult songs, but as usual, Mrs. Birse created something very beautiful. A second highlight came at the June Vesper Service when Handel's Hallelujah Chorus was a magnificent performance. l would like to thank the organists for their hard work throughout the year, but a special thanks to Mrs. Belyea and Mrs. Birse from the whole Choir for this wonderful experience they have given us. Catherine Campbell Choir Head BACK ROW, Left to Right: I. Cox, C. Rowed, B. Craig, N. Flintoft, S. McMurray, E. Roeder, P. Dangerfield, J. Rankin, C. Campbell, C. Cartledge, I. Lee, S. Hogman, N. Riley, I. Gattey, S. Kennedy, T. Stovel, S. MacDonald, J. Denmark. MIDDLE ROW: P. Sparrow, S, Beaton, L. Sirett, M. Johnson, G. Alexander, J. Villeneuve, D. Riley, L. Myers. J. McKinnon, B. Matthews, C. Templeton, H. McNichol, J. Campbell, J. Harrison, M. MacKay, E. Wilton, C. Lee, P. Smerchanski, M. Kendall. FRONT ROW: Mrs. W. Belyea, Organistg L. Willis, S. Everett, S. Litch, L. Johnston, L.F.g S. Wing, L. Owen, L. Murray, C. Baron, L. MacQuade, L. MacKenzie, J. Briggs, Mrs. D. Birse, Choir Director. 1