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

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16 THE ANALECTA EDITORIAL “The forces of universal intelligence are manifested by physical laws; they are unswerving, unadopted, and have no solicitude for the structure in which they worl(.“ Time marches on! Again we approach the end of another school year, and as your Editor-in-Chief has requested, I shall endeavor to set forth the important activities of our different clubs. I trust that the report of our Progress year will show that the forces of Universal Intelligence have dealt with us not unkindly, and that when the day comes for us to leave the School of Learning, we may realize that the progress of Tomorrow depends on the ability To-day to grasp the significance of that old saying: “Get the idea and all else follows.’’ We must remember, at the same time that the future holds no failure, and ‘I made a mistake’ refers but to yesterday. In reviewing our activities for the year, there are many to be com¬ mended, but on the other hand, there are many, which could be improved and remedied to a great extent. I believe that the action of the Students’ Council in taking over the Weekly Weeper is a move for the better, a distinct and progressive step in the history of C.C.I. For years the Weeper has been privately owned by students in the school, and has enjoyed an immense popularity; but never before has it had, as it has now, the distinction of being the official organ of the Students’ Council; and thus of the students themselves. The Dramatic Club, too, is to be praised. Under the able leadership of Miss Kaulbach, many fine plays have been produced to the mutual enjoyment of both actors and scholars. The high esteem in which the first of these plays was held was manifested when it was requested that it be presented for the second time at the inaugaration ceremony of the new Assembly Hall at Western. This was quite a tribute to the oldest Dramatic Club in the city. The formation of a girl’s Hi-Y this year was another notable feature in the advances of the term. I feel certain that in the future it will do much to further clear thinking, sound reasoning, and good sportsmanship among the girls at Central, The Badminton Club is another club to be congratulated on its fine work this year. Owing to the efforts of its president, the club has now succeeded in establishing a series of games with Crescents, which should prove very interesting, and I hope, turn out to be the nucleus of a city-wide High School League. About other sports I do not think much need be said. Athletics have always been well supported .at C.C.I., and although sometimes we have met with adverse conditions, and once in a while a better squad from another school, Central has always kept its head up, and gone on fighting, with that sincere and indominatable determination to win. On the other hand a few clubs have not progressed, but have been allowed to fall by the wayside; chief among these is the Spokes Club. This is a most regrettable thing, brought about mainly by the lack of interest and support on the part of the students. There are very few larger Institutions, Colleges, or Universities in either Canada or the United States, which do not boast of, and are justly proud of their public-speaking clubs. They realize their importance; we did not. Most of us are not able to see it now, but when we graduate from this school, an inability to speak in public is going to be a great handicap to us. Had we sponsored the Spokes Club, as has been done in years gone by, we might have derived the benefit,—that feeling of ease in presenting a public address which our predecessors have obtained. The Current Events Club, too, is apparently another club of the

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THE ANALECTA 15 PROGRESS Progress—that inexorable passing from Darkness into Light. We have dedicated this issue of the Analecta to progress with a two¬ fold symbolistic interpretation. Firstly, to progress as an ideal. To progress in its most comprehensive sense: that force by which the waves in the vast, turbulent sea of humanity hurl themselves further and further into the black¬ ness of the sands beyond; penetrating into the land of darkness; piercing the murky veils of fear, of doubt, andi of perplexity. When we leave this school to go out into the world it will be upon our shoulders that this sacred duty will rest. For the very soul of life is bound up in the individualistic striving towards the evolution of the whole, be it materially or spiritually. Secondly, we have dedicated this issue to progress because of the very tangible, indispensable part which our school—any school—plays in the realization of this aim. All achievement, and hence all progress, has un¬ questionably its embryo in the awakening of the mentality, the intensification of our analytical powers, and the development of our intrinsic ability. Dur¬ ing our years of study at C.C.I., consciously or subconsciously we have been undergoing this process. The degree to which we have taken advantage of our opportunities will necessarily determine to a certain extent our subsequent achievements and usefulness in a world seething with unrest and burdened with mighty problems. And in these days of universal turmoil and perplexity, there is a multi¬ plicity of problems which we will have to face. Economically there is the puzzling enigma of over production, with the corresponding problem of distri¬ bution. Paradoxically enough, the people are in need because we have too much wealth! Scientifically and mechanically we have reached an undreamed of height of evolution, and yet our lack of social evolution has hurled us into a pit of chaos. It is as if we had created a collosal mechanical monster without the necessary subtlies of knowledge to control it. A monster created out of steel and out of steam; with heavy sounds clanking through the air, black with the smoke of industrialism. A symbol of wealth in superfluity; a symbol of misery unimaginable. Political problems loom large in the world of today, too. Already in Europe the foundations of democracy have crumbled and autocratic dictator¬ ship has superceded it. No one will question the statement that democracy was founded on, and will continue to be preserved through education. With¬ out education, democracy is a dim, Utopian ideal; through the powers of education it becomes a living realization. The problem of the preservation of our democratic institutions is the problem of our generation, and one of- the first magnitude. The more one dwells on the conditions and problems of the modern world the greater is the realization of the need of progress, of education. For when we realize how education lies at the root of all advance, we may say in all truthfulness that Education is Progress. A mighty task awaits us, a mighty responsibility rests upon us. It is a duty that will bring glory both to ourselves and to our country. The challenge is ours: let us seize it and rise to the zenith of our possibilities! RAY MARTYNE, Editor-in-Chief.

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THE ANALECTA 17 past. It does seem a shame that these two organizations, both so well adapted to aid and train us for our future! life, have been dropped. There is not much that we can do now, that is, this year; but I sincerely hope that next year the Spokes and Current Events Clubs may be started again, and retained through the years as two of the leading institutions of C.C.I. And so I will conclude. I have tried to point out the important moves this year, both good and bad, and I hope that the findings of this report will be taken to heart in the spirit in which they are given. Should they prove to be of assistance in improving our school, I will feel that they have achieved their purpose. True Centralites do not want to see their school, the oldest High School in Calgary, go backwards in a single activity; and in the years to follow should judge their activities accordingly. C.C.I. has the oldest and greatest traditions in the city; long ago our rivals have learned that the Purple and Gold was the squad to beat. And now I say to you: do not let these traditions die; keep them living; foster the School Spirit, and in years to come our successors will still be proud to say: ' We are Centralites.” BILL SPEERSTRA, Assistant Editor. SLANG IN A HUDDLE When Grandpop thawed the pesky pump He said, Consarn” and Shucks and “Humph,” And “I’ll be switched if the thing won ' t go, It ' s all-fired cold in this dad-burned snow.” When dad was young he said, “Rubberneck, Ich-ka-bibble,” Skidoo,” You bet,” and ‘ By heck;’’ Beat it,” ‘‘Lump it, and ‘ ' You’re not so hot.” A pretty girl was a ‘‘Peach,”—a ‘‘Lemon,” if not. The war brought us Blighty,” ‘‘Carry on,’’ ‘‘Fag,’’ Cheerio,” Swing the lead,’’ Blinkin ' ,’’ and ‘Rag.” Boldly the “Flapper her banner unfurled. Informing all “She’d tell the cock-eyed world.” In ’29 the wisecrack was ‘‘We re sunk;’’ The world went “Haywire’ -it sure was “The Bunk.” Stocks got the Wind up,” starting to Scram, Leaving us all in a horrible Jam.” Now its Oh Yeah,’’ Phooey,” “Baloney,” and Nerts;” “Sez you,” Can’t take it?” On the ' spot.” Little squirts;” Is my face red?” as you ask Why this rot?” And the poignant answer I give is: So what!” —M. R. McTavish, XII D