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

Page 14 text:

' “THIS, our 38th Year Book, marks the end of an era in the history of Central High School. Our principal, Fred D. Weir, retires at the end of June and to him we have the honor of dedicating the 1953 Analecta. Fred D. Weir was born at Guelph, Ontario, the son of a Baptist minister, the Rev. Wm. Cornett Weir, B.A., B.Th. He started public school in Everett, Washing¬ ton, moved with his parents to Toronto. Ontario and passed his High School Entrance Examination while attending school at Carle- ton Place, Ontario. His high school work was likewise taken at several places. In 1901 he entered the Carleton Place High School, moved two years later to Georgeton Ontario, and finally to Waterford, Ontario, where he obtained his Senior Matriculation. Mr. Weir then entered the Simcoe Model School where he earned his Ontario Teacher ' s Certificate; later he gained his Alberta Certificate at the Calgary Normal School. This was followed by a period of teaching at Clear Creek, Bailieboro, and Riverside in Ontario. In 1909 F. D. Weir entered McMaster University then located in Toronto. While at McMaster, where he obtained his B.A. degree, he won five university scholarships and still found time to play on the rugby team and to be a member of the track team. Our principal’s connection with Central goes back to January 1914 when he joined the staff as an instructor in Latin. A year later he moved to Camrose to become principal of the Practice School of the Camrose Normal. From September 1919 to June 1922 he taught Latin at Central. When East Calgary High School was opened in 1922, F. D. Weir became its first principal, a post he filled until September 1935 when he returned to Central, this time as principal. Under his leadership Central has become the outstanding academic school in the province. Fred D. Weir’s educational philosophy might be summed up in the statement that the function of an academic high school is to give her students a sound basic preparation for further work at a university and that other activities are secondary to this objective. That this was done at Central has been proved by the long list of matriculaion scholarships won each year by Cenral students and by the frequency of the names of Central graduates in the honor lists of the University of Alberta and other universities across the country. The other activities also have had their place at Central during F. D. Weir’s principalship, such as the athletic “Grand Slam’’ of the school year 1950-1951 and the winning of the Ferguson Memorial Trophy this year. To Principal Fred D. Weir we say good-bye. Central will long re mem¬ ber you. May you and Mrs. Weir have good health and long years in which to enjoy well-earned leisure. 12

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| ' HRKh or lour years ago, the members of |p§fof|!V the 195 3 graduating class ventured i|P, - M M irresolutely into this ancient edifice of learn- | ing. Tonight, upon taking our leave, we have somewhat the same feeling as we had % during those first days here — a feeling of bewilderment and desolation, for we are entering a new phase of our lives. We are happy, and yet we are sad. What student would have thought, those few short years H | ago, that he’d ever be sorry at the prospect of bidding farewell to this old, and then seemingly unimpressive school. Confused, and slightly apprehensive, we were first introduced to Central High. To our joy, the fears and doubts, existing ■ entirely in our minds, proved groundless, and as time flew by we grew to be part of this small, yet virtually ever active school. The atmosphere was friendly, and a helping hand was ready should one falter. Together we cheered our teams in victory, and swallowed our sorrow in defeat. Together we watched, with overflowing admiration, our scholars and athletes on Awards Day. We struggled with our maths., languages, and sciences. Through our clubs and interschool activities we gained practical knowledge. Because we learned that there is no short and easy road to success, our most important achievement was the acquisition of perseverence and determination; further¬ more we grasped the true significance of co-operation through our realization that humanity will never successfully survive unless it adopts some form of universal compatibility. Yes, our sojourn here has truly been rewarding. At this time our thoughts naturally turn to those who have made tonight an actuality—our principal, and our teachers. Mr. Weir, who has always been a friend and a guide, is also saying good-bye this year. A more sincere and conscientious principal we could never hope to have. May we extend to you, sir, our most heartfelt thanks. We can never adequately express our appreciation to our teachers, so greatly are we indebted to them. They have coaxed, prodded, pleaded, and reprimanded us, and in return they have suffered, I’m sure, a thousand and one mental anguishes. Their nerves have been strained to the point of breaking, indeed often beyond. They are the bulwark of humanity. With their thoughts and inspirations as a perpetual beacon, we shall go forth through the fog of the future. And so, dear old Central, through whose; corridors we have walked, in whose classrooms we have studied (more often not), and whose walls have so nobly borne the brunt of our bruises, we are sorry to leave. No matter how eventful the future may be, our high school years will remain forever treasured among our memories. We shall never forget you. —RAPHAEL ENGLE. 11

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On A ' fXfi ' ieciatian NCE again we reach the conclusion of another school year and with it the 1953 publication of the Analecta. Through the years to come, may this edition bring back to us memories of the happiest days of teen-age years. In several ways, this vol¬ ume with its record of achievements, both academic and athletic, is a milestone in our lives. In editing this year book, I have had ample co-operation and help from my co-editors, to whom I am more than grateful. I would especially like to voice my appreciation for the willing assistance extended to me by our principal, Mr. Weir, and by our literary advisor, Miss Calder. Also, I would like to thank our secretary. Miss Johnson, for the small, yet important jobs she has done throughout the year. Hearty thanks are also due to the many advertising firms whose contributions have made this book possible. My gratitude is extended to my fellow students whose write-ups have added much interesting reading to this year book. I consider it a great honour to dedicate this year ' s Analecta to our retiring principal, Mr. Weir. —JIM BROWNE, Editor. 13