Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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such as boxers, Spanish d ancers, and gypsies — flocked in large numbers around the various games and other entertainments ( i.e., pulling Prefects ' hair, and cruelly abusing these poor officers in such wild games as ring-around-the-rosy ) . The grand march, the bobbing for apples, and — last, but not least — the delicious refreshments, all contributed to make the Junior Hallowe ' en Party a most successful afternoon! For the Senior Party that evening, the gym was not even a mass of shadows! After the Grand March (prizes going to Charles Adams et famille, two mushrooms (?) called The Morning After the Night Before, and similar typical Elmwoodian crea- tures) the lights flashed on and off continually as each class did a skit. These skits included such rousing musical numbers as Proxy-locks and the Three Bears, witches having a divine textbook — burning session, an inspiring (and most surprising) rendition of Hernando ' s Hideaway, Can-Can (well, you have to call it something! ) dancing, and, best of all, the teachers ' own musical self -portrayal of the real them. Of course, we always suspected it, but this proved it! After this breathless evening, the lights came on in a blaze of glory to reveal the best decorations we ' ve had yet (special mention must be given to Sherrill Fell ' s simply stunning spider web), and also the very welcome refreshments. All in all, any self- respecting witch could be satisfied with Elmwood ' s homage to Hallowe ' en! Page In closing, I have just one more moving word to add, and that is Ole! (Eh, five-A?) Christmas Party Our Christmas party this year was a tremendous success, as a result of the school spirit, enthusiasm, and hard work shown by all. Each class contributed a skit (my, but we ' re talented in this school! ) , song, or some other at- tract ion to the entertainment, which began at four o ' clock. In addition to these class efforts we enjoyed solo numbers by Penny Madgwick, Judy Carter, Lesley Gait, and Alexis Thoman. The staff ' s contribution was two vividly narrated poems by Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Edelsten led us all in Christmas carols until it was time for the delicious buffet. The festivities ended about six-thirty with candy canes for everyone, and we all agreed that this year ' s Christmas party was the best that Elmwood has had yet. Formal Notes The Elmwood Annual Dance was again held at the Ottawa Country Club this year, on March the eighth, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The receiving line — Captain and Mrs. Bruce, our head girl, head boarder, and their escorts — welcomed 15

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Boarders Notes When we returned in September, we were all glad to see Sally Sadler as Head Boarder. She has done an excellent job during the past school year! We were also glad to see Mrs. Edwards back again as House Mistress, but sorry to see her leave us at Christmas. Miss Moseby has taken over and is doing a wonderful job keeping us all in our places! Miss Wortley, Miss Darbyshire, Mrs. Betts and her daugh- ter Michelle, Miss Aqui (until Christmas), and Miss Birss (who became Mrs. at Easter) were the new arrivals on the resident staff. new in the boarding school by each Senior picking a Junior as a Little Sister for the remainder of the year. Finally the evening ended and everyone hurried home to bed. Just before Easter the Seniors in turn were given a surprise party by the Juniors. This time it was held in the gym, where there were refreshments and hit parade records. The Juniors were even being taught how to jive! Finally everyone was so tired that we all went straight off to bed without a word. On several weekends during the winter, we were very fortunate to be able to go skiing at Camp Fortune or Wakefield. This year many beginners took to the hills to improve greatly before the winter was over. Since spring began, we have been going swimming at the Chateau Laurier on Friday evenings. Everyone finds that it is a wonderful way to relax and have fun after a school week. Before ending, we would like to thank Mrs. Bruce and all the members of the staff, who have helped to make this a happy and enjoyable year for the boarders. So we settled down to what we thought would be a quiet, studious year. Did I say quiet? With the exception of Green Gables bedroom, and loud noises echoing down the halls, and of course the hit parade blaring forth on the radio, or record players, the school was quiet! But the able Counsellors were often seen scurrying down the halls to quiet everybody with stern warnings about next time! Friday, December thirteenth, certainly was not unlucky in the boarding school, as we had a Boarders ' Dance. Everyone had a wonderful time, especially after the tension of exams the past two weeks. The music was supplied from the record collections of several boarders, and everyone had her share of fast and slow music. The majority of the boarders at- tended, and judging by the remarks overheard later, the dance was a great success. As usual, Santa Claus paid us his annual pre- Christmas visit the night before the holidays, much to the delight of everyone! He distributed presents and chatted for a few minutes before he had to leave to return to the North Pole. The staff had arranged games and singing and finally, after a wonderful evening, we were given refreshments and sent off to bed, but not without much excitement over Santa ' s visit, and the holidays starting the next day. Soon after the Christmas holidays, the Seniors decided to have a surprise party for the Juniors. Mrs. Bruce kindly invited us to have the party at her house. The Janiors, who had come over expecting a scolding, were greatly surprised, and we all had great fun singing and talking. We started something Hallowe ' en Parties The gym was but a mass of shadows. Goblins, ghosts, witches — and more unconventional creatures Page 14

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the large number of suidents and old girls whose attendance helped to make the dance a great success! The many beautiful and coloured gowns swirled to the catching strains of Wilf Steabner ' s band, whose variety of music ranged from Latin American rhythms to the more modern, lively jive. A few prize dances followed the delicious buffet which was beautifully displayed — and well appre- ciated! Gaily coloured ticker-tape and balloons were soon scattered about the dance floor, adding to the merry confusion. We would all like to thank the head girl and the officers for the wonderful work they did in arranging and planning one of the best formals in Elmwood ' s history. Public Speaking Our public speaking contest, held early this year, included several interesting speeches. They covered a wide variety of topics, among them, The True Spirit of Christmas, and, in great contrast, Money ! The entries are all to be congratulated. Each year our aspiring orators seem to grow more professional. The prize winners are as follows: Primary, Penny Madgwick, Junior, Mardi Aldous, Intermediate, Sue Hamilton, and Senior, Heather Blaine. Their talks were chosen for delivery, poise, and general interest. We feel we truly have several budding Ciceros. House Dances Whatever that indescribable quality is that makes successful dances, we venture to say we feel it ' s been present at our house dances this year. The decorations have either been carefully planned or gaily improvised, in both cases with very attractive results. School spirit has been high, and so has attendance. By school spirit we do not mean that only directly associated with the dances, but also with the candy sales, which pro- vided funds for the dances, which in their turn pro- vided funds for our formal. Our themes have included school colours (green and gold) and crests, an economical and very suc- cessful medley of streamers and other decorations, and that old favourite. Spring. Our music has been provided from the girls ' collections of hits and popular records. This was particularly well-organized at out last dance, after the installation of the much-appre- ciated hi-fi, gift of the Mothers ' Guild. Half the fun of these dances was, as is often the case, in the preparation. Quick trips downtown to buy balloons, prizes, Scotch tape, and straight pins, followed by many happy hours climbing up and fall- ing down from ladders, all contributed to the lively mood. Many thanks to the officers and Decorating Com- mittee (especially to Gail Lacharity), and also the record players, for a fabulous year, social-wise! Pago 16