Garden Valley Collegiate Institute - Yearbook (Winkler, Manitoba Canada)

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Winkler (left to right, front row): Sharon Dueck, Elaine Wieler, Elvina Dyck, Mary Friesen, Edythe Krahn, Francine Neufeld, Evelyn Klassen, Grace Zacharias. Second Row: Elaine Kroeker, Penny Kroeker, Betty Peters, Joyce Suderman, Lucille Kroeker, Lois Olfert, Barbara Thiessen, Esther Hyde, Lois Schellenberg, Delores Peters, Katherine Klassen. Third Row: Raymond Siemens, Edwin Sawatzky, Henry Dyck, Lloyd Dyck, Chester Dyck, Jake Loewen, Edward Labun, Peter Labun, Henry Derksen, Edward Sawatzky. Plum Coulee (left to right): Wesley Friesen, David Penner, Theodore Klassen, Janet Braun, Gordon Wiebe, James Dyck. 9

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Miss Pat Kolisnyk Composition IX Health IX Mrs. Justina Wiebe Choirs Secretary Mr. Wayne Busse Biology XI and XII Physical Education ?-4k K Mrs. Maggie Dyck Choirs Mrs. Carole Vogt Composition X Guidance IX and XI Literature IX Mr. Henry Hiebert Orchestra Mr. Nick Neufeld Mathematics IX Music IX Miss H. Lentzmann German IX German X Mr. Frank Brown Prose XII German XII Mathematics XI

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- rddreAA 1 966 Mr. Chairman, honoured guest, teachers, parents, fellow graduates, students and friends. Four years ago as I passed from the elementary grades to high school, I thought that graduation would be a very difficult task. I then possessed a notion that if I survived this period of tribulation, I would “have it made.” Having survived, and now that I actually experience my graduation, I find that much of the superficial glory I previously connected with it has somewhat dimin¬ ished. For in view of the challenge we now face and the decisions we now have to make, it seems we still haven’t “got it made.” Graduation merely symbolizes the end of one phase of formal education and the beginning of something new. For some of us it may also symbolize the end of classroom instructions, but for all of us it serves as a significant milestone in the continuing process of education. We, the graduates, do not claim the credit for our success entirely because of our own efforts. Indeed we owe a measureless debt of gratitude to our parents and teachers who have tried, often laboriously to discipline our feelings and actions, to teach us proper values and perspectives, and to inspire us with true and worthy motives. Now we stand at the crossroads of our lives. It is during this time that many of us are forced to make the most important decisions of our lives. We are compelled to make choices amongst a wide variety of opportunities. We may extend our formal education in the universities and colleges; we may decide to learn a trade in the various technological institutes; or we may choose an immediate vocation without additional training. However, we become increasingly aware that additional training beyond high school is almost imperative to our achieving suc¬ cess. The highly, complex, technological society we live in demands that each working individual be well trained or possess a certain skill. For this reason it is important that we as young people prepare ourselves through formal training and education as best as we can for the role we intend to play in this society. The 20th century is truly a fascinating and thrilling time in which to live. The extent of our scientific, economic, political and cultural development in this age is unparalleled to any other in history. This is the generation in which we are privileged to live. I agree with the late Pres. Kennedy when in his inaugural speech he said: “I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other generation.” However, in the process of becoming more educated we cannot avoid becoming involved in the affairs and welfare of our fellow man. We who are privileged to enjoy such high standards of civilization, ought not to become so engrossed with our own achieve¬ ment that we neglect the other half of the world which still exists in a state of mass misery. It is our moral obligation as the “have” nations to give assistance to those nations whose basic needs are still not satisfied. My hope and prayer is that each one graduating here today will in his or her own small way, be able to make a worthy contribution to our society or possibly help alleviate some of the human misery still prevalent around the globe. With the graduates and students I would like to leave this thought from Wordsworth, “Life is divided in three terms: that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us leant from the past to profit by the present and from the present to live better for the future.” Ernie Penner Plum Coulee Collegiate. ci fediclor Mr. Chairman, Honoured Guests, Fellow Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen. Today we have arrived at the momentous occasion which marks the official termination of our life in high school. It is our graduation. To us as graduates, this is a time of mixed emotions, which cannot well be expressed. Despite the excitement and glamour of this day, we feel downhearted at having to part with our many friends and teachers. Ever since we first entered the classroom in Grade I, school has been the major activity of our lives. Bonds of friendship have been created and a strong loyalty to our school has de¬ veloped. But now the doors of the outside life beckon to us, so we must bid farewell to our schoolmates and teachers, and leave the place which we have learned to love. Our school experiences, so meaningful to us, will gradually evolve into a treasure chest of memories. On the other hand, looking into the future we are eager with anticipation. We are looking forward to a new phase of life; a phase in which we will be largely on our own without the guidance of parents and teachers; a phase in which we will be required to make our own decisions. However, if we apply the Christian principles, high ideals, and mental alertness that have been instilled in our minds from Kindergarten to Commencement, Life should hold much for us. We sense that the opportunities open to us through our education are tremendous. Some of us will pursue further studies while others will enter the world of business. But regardless of the path we choose, we have learned only little of all there is to know. Our education is not complete with graduation. Henry Ward Beecher writes, “Education is the knowledge of how to apply the whole of oneself. A man is educated who knows how to make a tool of every faculty — how to open it, how to keep it sharp, and how to apply it to all practical purposes.” We have merely been given the tools with which to build our lives and the world of tomorrow. On our shoulders has been placed a great responsibility. It will be the duty of today’s youth to improve his own lot, and also that of his neighbour’s. We toil together to build up our own country, and to relieve the suffering in other parts of the world. We must strive to make this world a better place for our children, and our children’s children. The following words were spoken by King George VI when he visited Winnipeg in 1939. “Life is a great adventure and everyone of you can be a pioneer, blazing by thought and service a trail to better things. Hold fast to all that is just and of good report in the heritage which your fathers have left you, but strive also to improve and equalize that heritage for all men and women in the years to come. Remember too, that the key to all true progress lies in faith, hope, and love.” As we approach this stage we begin to realize the important roles our parents, teachers, and friends have played in our lives, and we think deep thoughts of gratitude for the guidance, loyalty, and understanding they have shown us. We are indeed thankful to all our teachers who have not only instructed us in the knowledge of this world, but have also taught us a proper attitude toward life, and have filled us with lofty conceptions of service toward men. They have led us to realize that success in life does not depend so much upon genius, as upon planned and plodding industry. We, the graduates, wish to express our thanks to our parents. It is largely due to your continuous encouragement and support that we are graduating today. It is our desire to acquit ourselves in such a way as to make you feel repaid for your manifold sacrifices. Citizens of the communi ty and members of the school board — we would like to express our sincere appreciation for making Winkler Collegiate the fine school that it is. Your interest in us is shown by your presence here tonight. Last, but not least, we are grateful to God, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. Now before we turn our backs on the doors of this school for the last time, it is our wish that your prayers and good wishes will follow us as we step out into the world. We hope that we will not let down the faith that you have placed in us. Edythe Krahn Winkler Collegiate. 10