Elmira District Secondary School - Oracle Yearbook (Elmira, Ontario Canada)

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THE oRAc1.E 7 gdb? WMS and Share in the Final Victory It is a cold, foggy day in an English barracks. A company of Canadian soldiers is gathered around a man who is standing on a table in the middle of the room. The mail is in. We can not see what is in the letter of every soldier, but let us take a private's letter from his mother, one paragraph of which we pick out. The second War Loan started yesterday, and I bought my first new war bond. I guess you boys will be glad to know that everyone is doing his part. We all know over here that each bond we buy will help you and your buddies win the war for us. One lady asked me what good my four dollars would do when it takes millions of dollars to win the war. She said that she had sent two , sons overseas and she thought that was all she had to do. 1 told her that my four dollars and the thousands more over the whole of Canada would wingthe war for her sons and mine and keep them well-equipped and warmly- dressed. Yes that is the typical letter from home to the soldiers over- seas. And the private's mother is right. Every cent You put in helps. A return letter goes home from the private to his mother. The Heinies came over tonight with their big bombers roaring out of the blacknessj But we did. not worry, for the R.A.F. was waiting for them. The Royal Air Force flying planes which were bought with the money the people of Can- ada have loaned to the government drove the Heinies off and thou- sands of people were saved. We over here are proud of Canada. So carry on, mother, and carry on, Canada. Yes, Canada, the Heinies go over England, and who knows but that the bullets that brought down the Nazi raider may have been bought by the money you loaned to the Government. An example of loyalty for which Canadians are known was that of the school teacher of London, On- tario, who bought a large-sized bond and then destroyed it. Many companies provide a way of saving by taking a certain amount fac- cording to the employees' wagesl off their pay each week and sending them their bonds at the end of each month. Remember, Canada, this war isn't over yet, and from the looks of things, it won't be over for quite a while. So be generous, Canadag buy war bonds and help the Gov- ernment buy tanks, guns, and, last but not least, clothes and food to keep your boys warm and well-fed during the long cold winter months. Carry on, -Canada, carry on! At this point it would be fitting to mention the splendid work Mr. Oscar Weichel has put forth as Chairman of the War Savings Committee. He has always con- nected himself with patriotic war works, and he well remembers his experiences of the last Great War. Therefore, we again pay tribute to him for this fine piece of work and also for his previous assistance in school events. May his services long be remembered and available. -DON HIGGINS, 9A

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5 'JI IZ!! 4 i jg, O BE CHOSEN as editor of a Year Book for two consecutive years, is indeed a great honour. In presenting the second annual Oracle, we trust that, guided by past experience, we are offering you a Year Book worthy of acclaim. The story of the social, academic, and. athletic events of 1940-41 is presented to you in pictures and in word, and we feel that you will treasure the Oracle in future years as an album of reminiscenses, Let us give credit where credit is due: namely, to all students whose splendid contributions have been acceptedg to our staff advisors, whose kind criticism and assistance have been invaluable. It would also be extremely ungracious not to mention our advertisers, both local and out-of-town, whose generous support deserves your patronage. Our country is still engaged in a war, the end of which is not yet apparent. In these momentous times, preparedness is the watchword of all civilization. Each passing day demands our utmost for the assurance of victory, but, even after the war is won, the task we face is beyond our comprehension. There will be demobilization and rehabilitation which must be considered, even while the war wages on. When the last trick is played and the last shot fired, are we going to toss caution to the winds and live another interim of twenty years, a generation spent in gaiety, laughter and recklessness? Should we not plan for peace, a peace that will last until the end of time, marked by goodwill and brotherhood among nations? The students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow who will guide the destinies of the nations. Now is the time to build the foundation of good citizenship. An adequate education will be your first requisite. Courtesy, sportsmanship, co-operation and perseverance are developed on the campus and in the classroom. Practice the principles of brotherly love toward your schoolmates. Let friendship be the keynote of your life, then your contribution to mankind will be counted worthwhile. Four things a man must learn to do I f he would make his record true, To think without confusion clearly, To love his fellow-man sincerely, To act from honest motives purely, . - To trust in'God and Heaven securely. These are the qualities of ideal manhood given to us by Henry Van Dyke. LOUIS KLINCK.

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3 THE oRAcl.E A Message from the High School Board Elmira, Ontario, March 14, 1941. DEAR STUDENTS,- I have before me a copy of a poster issued by the British Government. It reads as follows: IT ALL DEPENDS ON ME! If we each and all of us think this, and each and all of us do our utmost, our very utmost, on whatever work we are on, and do it with determination and cheerfulness, then- WE SHALL WIN THIS WAR Read this message again and again, keeping in mind that the very important Work in which you are engaged, is getting an education. To the boys es-pecially, may I urge that each of you, by serious intensive study, endeavour to complete your education as soon as you can. There is a shortage of High School graduates. The Air Force, Navy, Army, and Industry, are in need of you. To those of you who graduate this year, and are about to enter into the serious business of life, may I say that if everyone of you adopts the attitude It all depends on me , we will surely win this war, and you will, just as assuredly, win your battle of life . A. H. VICE, Chairman.