Central Collegiate Institute - Analecta Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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8 The Analecta OUR EDITOR Ralph Rogers, alias “Crowfoot,” like many other men of fame, was born beneath the blue skies of sunny Italy. The exact date is not pro¬ curable but for the benefit of the inquisitive, we refer you to Ralph, who will be only too pleased to enlighten you on the subject—maybe. Refore he sprouted his first tusk, his youthful aspirations had lured him across the briny deep, to Canada. His movements from there, may be traced to Alberta where he put Edmonton on its feet. It is said, by the way that lie was four of the reasons why Edmonton was made the capital. Soon he migrated to Calgary and enrolled in C.C.I. where he has spent few dormant hours. During the first part of the term he showed his ability as an elocutionist and in fact so superb an orator did he become that he soon graduated into a yell leader of the first water. His sterling qualities of salesmanship were revealed in the brilliant success he made of distributing the school rings and pins. It was rather amusing, to say the least, when a timid youth, on asking for Mr. Rogers, was shown to a mob of girls and told that Ralph was in the centre fitting the girls with rings. Although well up in his academic studies, Ralph still may be included in the class that take home books. And someone has even had the audacity to say that he actually studies from those books he takes home.

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The Analecta 7 CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL The first High School work done in the North-West Territories was begun in Calgary in 1889 with Mr. James Short, now Crown Prosecutor, as teacher. High school work was carried on in conjunction with public school work as is done in many rural districts today. The first high school proper was built on Seventh Ave. East, behind the City Hall and classes began there in September, 1903, with Mr. H. A. Sinnott as principal and Miss E. J. McPhail as assistant. The best known student of those days is Mr. Jos. Shaw, leader of the Liberal party in Alberta. Many of the men and women in Calgary today received their high school education in that old building which was known as “Sleepy Hollow.” In 1904 Mr. J. A. Smith was added to the staff and he became principal in 1907 when Mr. Sinnott resigned. In 1908 Mr. Smith entered the service of the Department of Education as Inspector of Schools and Mr. H. C. Newcombe became principal. The present building was built in 1908 and the opening was marked by much enthusiasm. It was declared by many that Calgary would never have enough boys and girls of high school age to fill the eight rooms, it then contained. At that time there were four teachers but a fifth was added to take charge of the commercial department j ust organized. From the retirement of Mr. Newcombe in 1911 till the appointment of the present principal in 1916 the school had four principals. The building was enlarged in 1913 and in 1915 a new centre was formed. The rapid development from that time on is familiar to all. In closing this brief account of the growth of the Central High School I would like to point out that in the early days the high school was a much more important factor in the lives of the young people. Much of the social activities that now centre around the church and the Y.M.C.A. were organized from the school. Boys and girls made and looked after their own rinks and tennis courts. Money was not so plentiful and it was usually a case of the boys making their own provision for recreation or going without. I do not think the students of twelve years ago worked any harder than those of today. The course of studies was simpler and examination requirements were not so rigorous. But they were more independent and possessed an initiative that is not so apparent today when boys and girls have money to pay for amusements that formerly they had to provide themselves. PRINCIPAL.

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The Analecta “WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER” The maiden sat in the tower Weeping and tearing her hair; Outside were the bold, bad robbers, Who were keeping the maiden there. The maiden she was a student, A student of C.C.I. And the names of the bold, bad robbers, On their shields were displayed to the eye. There was “French Book” in dark green armour, With his shield right down to his knee. But the boldest and fattest and fiercest. Was the “Mowatt’s History.” There were “Physics” and “Latin” and “Comp” hooks. Oh, text books of all kinds were there. When suddenly a jangling of armour. And one hearty shout rang through the air. A knight-errant in bright silver armour Charged full at the whole robber band. They scattered and fled in a panic. Then he rushed up and grasped one soft hand. “Oh, fair one, my charger strays yonder. Come, he will carry us well. We will go far away from this prison. My name? It is ‘Four o’Clock Bell’.” She followed. He led to his charger, Over boulders of bright scarlet hue. He protected the girl from detentions, For he was a knight, brave and true. They came to his charger, “the Street Car,” To the saddle he lifted the maid. Then he mounted behind his dear maiden. And he whispered, “Dear, be not afraid.” They travelled along o’er the prairie. They passed through a long, deep ravine. Then looming up, towering before them A high dismal mountain was seen. They dismounted and started to clamber High up on that “Long Homework Mount;” The y scrambled and toiled bravely upward. Past caverns too numerous to count. Then at last they arrived at the summit, And before them on either hand Was, “Reward for the valiant conquerors Of Homework Mount—Happy Dreamland.” —PATRICIA PARKER, XA.