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

Page 14 text:

GRADUATION Left to Right, Back Row: Jake Hamm, Henry Friesen, Dick Derksen, Randy Rietze, Vic Epp, Don Klassen, Leonard Klassen, Sheldon Friesen, James Schellenberg. Second Row: Bever ly Neisteter, Sharon Hildebrand, Sharon Dyck, Edna Wiebe, Helen Thiessen, Mary Anne Nickel, Nancy Kuhl, Loreen Loewen, Frank Wiebe, Herbert Heppner. First Row: Ruth Fehr, Anne Derksen, Mary Ann Friesen, Mary Goertzen, Verna Schroeder, Marge Bartsch, Elvera Banman, Betty Froese, Linda Peters, Rosalie Dyck. Valedictory Address Mr. Chairman, Honored Guests, Parents, Teachers, Fellow Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with mixed emotions that we as graduates stand before you tonight. We have emerged victorious in what has probably been the most difficult battle in our young lives. To graduate from high school has been the goal of each one of us since the day we stepped into the kindergarten classroom. However, now that we have attained this position, I believe we would rather not have had it come so quickly. During these past twelve years and especially during our high school days, we have created bonds of friendship, and developed a strong sense of loyalty to our Alma Mater. We have tried to uphold the traditions of our school, traditions which must now be guarded and nurtured by those students who have not yet graduated. The many activities and incidents which we have shared at Winkler Collegiate and Garden Valley Collegiate will make leaving these halls of learning even more difficult for us as graduates. Singing together in choirs, participating in drama and committee work, and playing baseball, curling, football, and basketball to the roaring of the crowd and the urging of the cheerleaders have given us countless memories, many of which we shall never forget. Graduation, however, is not the end; It is a milestone which signifies something greater and better to come. We as graduates must look to the future and establish higher goals and ambitions for ourselves. For some of us, this day marks the end of our formal education, but it is certain that our education has by no means reached completion. Even those of us who do not extend our education to a college or technological institute, realize that in order to survive successfully in our highly complex society, we must be well trained and possess a skill in a particular field. On this, our day of graduation, especially, we cannot forget the major roles other people have played in our school life. I would like to express my personal appreciation to my fellow graduates and to the staff for having given me the privilege and honor of expressing our thoughts here this evening. We cannot possibly repay our parents for the part they have played in making it possible for us to graduate tonight. They have encouraged and comforted when it seemed almost impossible to go on. They have financed our journey through school and have often aided in charting our course. We can only hope that, in the future, we will conduct ourselves in such a way that you, our parents, will feel that your guidance, efforts, and sacrifices have not been in vain. Another group of people to whom we owe much is our teachers. The many pranks, from the disappearing textbooks and briefcases, to the annual collections of water pistols and barrages of paper airplanes must have done little else than cause the many headaches. However, we also remember that they were the ones who instructed us, not only in knowledge which can be found in books, but also our teachers have tried to show us proper values and correct attitudes toward life. May you, our teachers, be rewarded for your tireless efforts and unfaltering devotion in the years ahead when you see us develop into responsible and worthy citizens. To the members of the school board and the citizens of the comunity, we would like to express our gratitude. You have always given us fine facilities with which to work. We thank you for your continued interest in our progress. Last but not least, we are grateful to God, who has given each one of us the talent and power to overcome the obstacles on our way to making this graduation a reality. In our aspirations for the future — as we strive for achievement, happiness, and success, we would be wise to keep In mind the exhortation of the Master of all times when he says, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. —THANK-YOU— Don Klassen 12

Page 13 text:

MR. G. HILDEBRAND Mathematics IX Geography IX Algebra X MR. BERNIE LOEPPKY Composition XI General History XI Geography IX MR. FRANK BROWN Vice-Principal Mathematics XI German XII The Office Secretaries Miss Susan Froese Mrs, Helen Janzen Mr. John H. Wiebe, Secretary-Treasurer, y ' X ft ■ WCSTM— 1 4 m ' ||W !5i u

Page 15 text:

seniors