Eastern High School of Commerce - Eastern Echo Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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VALEDICTORY EDNA OW, as we say farewell to our student days at the Eastern High School of Commerce, the past, like a dream, is vividly recalled.. A dream which, although in first form started like a nightmare, ended so delightfully we were sorry to awaken. Yet, in reality, this is only a formal farewell, for in the years to come Eastern Commerce will linger in our memories, and control many of our actions. EDNA DAMON Why are we sorry that we may no longer call ourselves students but grad' uates? The answer is the story of our four years here. Cur first year was the worst as we felt ourselves a little un' necessary and inferior. This all passed, however, and by the time we had reached second form, we felt that the school could not succeed without our presence. Third, although a graduating year to many, seemed but ia steppingfstone to the topmost pinnacle of our ambitions- fourth form. This height, apparently so far beyond the attainment of the juniors, seemed to lose some of its glam' our when we realized that it meant our Twenty ADDRESS, 1933 DAMON last year here, and a certain regret ac' companied this thought. Certain events of our four years are outstanding. Shall we ever forget our first glimpse of an open locker? Of course, we did not expect it would conf tain only books, but were rather surf prised to see how few books it could hold and yet seem quite full. Do we not ref call the expression on certain teachers, faces as they entered a room which was preparing for that allfimportant gymf nasium period? Nor were we at all pleased when called upon for blackboard work with but one shoe on. We rememf ber how some teachers would arise in righteous wrath at our abuse of the King's English. But to see us as we really were, the person with the greatest op' portunity was the teacher who came in after our period in the swimming pool Shall we ever forget the amazing popuf larity of the outer office just before 9 A.M.? The close associations of the detention room will be also long rememf bered. During our four years here many changes took place in our attitude to' wards school. We realized that, if the best results were to be obtained, study must be mixed with pleasure, and that the best possible'pleasure could be found in our subfsocieties. Our mental needs were satisfied with study, but to stimu' late our physical, social and mental def sires we looked to the Athletic Associa' tion, Girls' Club, the Orchestra, Cflee Club, and the Literary and Dramatic Society. These organizations gave us an opportunity to discover our executive ability, and also helped us form towards life an attitude, more broadfminded. We were proud of the way our Crchestra has retained its early members, and for this a great deal of gratitude is due to the influen-tial leadership of its founder. We came to see the great value of the Students' Council, and express our thanks to those members of the staff who organized and fostered its development. EASTERN ECHO

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THE ANNUAL BALL Alfred Harrison HIS great and glorious event celef brated the sixth birthday of the As' sociation. It was magnificent. Lovely ladies exquisitely gowned, with their escorts, graced the beautiful Roof Garden of the Royal York Hotel on Thursday evening, February lst. The three hundred guests, amid the luxurious surroundings, were received hy: Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Spence, Mr. and Mrs. George Frisby, Mr. Alfred Harrison, Mr. John Duncan, Miss Pearl Howe and Miss Olive Gordon. An adequate description of this won' derful affair can hardly be given. The Rhythmic Dance strains of Lorne Wilf liamson and his orchestra floated across to the happy throng of graduates and their friends. The softlyflighted ballroom afforded excellent lounge facilities for those wishing to rest and view with ease the gay dancers. However, the most interesting event took place shortly after intermission, The announcement that Mr. Cecil Da Costa would present the floor show was enthusiastically received by every one, Mr. da Costa and his partner, Miss Dorothy Noyce, then proceeded to pre' sent their interpretation of the beautiful Blue Dtmuhe XX'iili:.. A fine tap danc ing act by two of his pupils followed. Once again an announcement was made. This was to the effect that the new dance sensation, the Curioca, would be demonf strated. The orchestra struck up the music and Mr. Da Costa led his partner through a maze of intricate and com, pletely mystifying dance steps. It is unnecessary to state that a great ovation greeted the conclusion of this colorful floor show. As the time approached for the com' pletion of the Sixth Annual Dance of the Alumni, one could not help having a feeling of regret that such an ev-:ning should end so soon. EASTERN COMMERCE ALUMNI EXECUTIVE. 1933-34 Back Roxy: Xyiilium XX'il5im, 'lullll llunean. t'l'i't-:isiii'vi'i lloiiglas flofllwlfl. fYiCL'-l'rt's.J Alfrefl llirrisoii. ll'I't'si1lt'iiti Milt-in llgiiiiiltoii. ll'ast-I'res.i Leonarrl Smith, Marvin Nlasales. A N nl i ii Front Row: ,lean Patterson..lSeffet:i1'5'P Helen lfiillerioii. Ruth .a 1i sf' . I llout Hhxt ffiffllll Pear ' '. ' ' 1 EASTERN ECHO P . Nineteen

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We began to take more advantage of the time spent in the gymnasium, and, of course, did not overlook the cafeteria. We learned to apprecate the kindly guidance of our Principal, Mr. Keast, and of Mr. Spence, and how fortunate we were in having such men for pilots to chart our course, and direct our frail craft away from hidden rocks to the open sea. We realize now that our teachers were our friends and not merely taskmasters. They had much faith in our ambitions, and pride in our achievements. They helped us to untangle many knots, and were the source of ideas of both how to improve our work and how to enjoy ourselves. We think of the words of Mark Twain, Let us endeavour so to live that when we come to die, even the un' dertaker will be sorry, and as we think of these words, we apply them to our' selves and say, Let us endeavour so to strive that when we come to leave, even our teachers will be sorry. We were fortunate in having the staff but little changed, but this year the school suffer' ed a loss in the departure of two mem' bers of the staff, one who was deeply interested in our gymnasium work and the other in French. However, our loss has been another's gain and we wish them the best of future happiness. Eastern Commerce has grown steadily. Nine years ago it started with 800 pupils and 20 teachers, now there are nearly 1,700 pupils and 50 teachers. We owe Eastern Commerce a great debt not only for teaching us to type, write shorthand, if lk if Gym Teacher: I want every girl to lie on her back, put her legs in the air and move them as if she were riding a bicycle. Commence! After a short effort a girl stopped. Gym Teacher: Why have you stop' ped, Gertrude? Gertrude: If you please, I was coast' ing. EASTERN ECHO read French, post journals, and to ap- preciate other subjects no less important but we owe her a further debt for teach' ing us the spirit of fair play and loyalty She inspired in us an attitude, fair to' wards both our work and fellowfpupils, and to give a word of encouragement to our opponents. Cooperation was instilled in us through our debating and games. May we then say a word of thanks to Eastern Commerce, to the Board of Edu' cation which has made possible our schools, to our principal and teachers, and to our parents who have forfeited so much that we might enjoy to the full the educational advantages which we, as Canadian citizens, are offered. As our motto says, we had entered Eastern Commerce to learn more, and to benefit by what we learned before the going forth. We have carried the torch for four years, and now entrust it to you pres' ent students in the hope that you will hold it high, and lighten the path of your followers. Our advice to you is know your principal and teachers at the beginning and give them cofoperation. If you do, Eastern Commerce has nothf ing to lose but all to gain. When you get downfhearted because you seem behind, recall these timely words: Fancy the world as a hill lad, Look where the millions stop, You'll find the crowd at the base lad, There's always room at the top. We are sorry to leave you then Com' merce, but we wish you success in all your future relationships. 7 il ll 'll Folks, said the colored minister, the subject of my sermon this evening am 'Liarsf Hffw many in the con' gregation has done read the 69th chap' ter of Matthew? Nearly every hand in the audience was raised. Dat'S right, said His Reverence. You is just the folks I wantito preach to. Dere is no 69th chapter of Matthew. Twenty-one