Halifax Grammar School - Grammarian Yearbook (Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada)

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CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world, the moat difficult and the most intellectual. — Oscar Wilde Though he has been at H.G.S. only two years, Chris ' s perverse sense of humour and his attitude toward extra-curricular activities, singular in its perservering apathy, have given him a certain reputation throughout the school. Chris is a dedicated voyeur, preferring, as he does, to watch rather than participate in sports, and he has given his support, such as it is, to the Montreal Canadians. Ever eager to generate excitement, if not to be excited, it was Chris who incited the first revolution against classroom clean-up. When it comes to academics, however, he is no bystander, and he has consistently held a spot on the Honour Roll. Chris will claim that his ambitions are to be utterly rich, to have the thermos ever full of pink lemonade, and never to contribute voluntarily to anything. Intelligent, satirical, cynical and maybe just a little sick - Chris will certainly be a salient personality at whichever major university he chooses to pursue a degree in the arts. XAVIER SETO For words divide and rend; But silence is most noble till the end. — Swinburne Xavier arrived at H.G.S. two years ago with little knowledge of English. Since that time he has become quite proficient, and proven himself an able scholar; when the time is right, however, he stands in mute bewilderment, claiming not to understand a word. Yet he seldom misses a joke, and shows his appreciation of our humour with a soft, parti cular chuckle. Because of his quiet character, we in his class have been wont sometimes even to question his very presence: once, however, someone forgot to do so, and he was left behind on a soccer trip. Luckily he arrived in time to score the winning goal in the semi-finals. As well as great finesse on the soccer field, Xavier also has skill in basketball. Whether he will decide to study, or to play basketball, noone has divined; whichever it is, however, we are sure that his ability will not go unnoticed. v CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM VOIGT Have something to say; say it, and stop when you ' ve done. -Tryon Edwards Though he is one of three Christophers in the class, Chris has distinguished himself from the other two by his quiet humility and terseness in all situations. His interest in sport, and in hockey in particular, is not unique in our class; but his obsessional attitude toward that gladitorial contest on ice, and his knack of relating most any subject to hockey are truly astounding. His special point of view( How does that process relate to athletics-specifically, hockey? ) always expressed succinctly, has enlivened our science classes. Chris will probably attend Dalhousie next year. -16-

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CHRISTOPHER PAUL OZERE I am not arguing with you ■ I am telling you. —J.M.N. Whistler Despite a noticeably high rate of absenteeism, Chris has been a strong personality in the class. The force of his intellect, his natural inclination to argue, and his sportsmanlike attitude have made him a leader in class discussion and in extra-curricular activities. Chris has always had high marks, and been a valuable member of our basketball and volleyball teams. Chris is also renowned for his ability to talk his way out of almost any uncomfortable situation, and for his extraordinary luck at cards. He will undoubtedly be conspicuous at whichever university he chooses. H.G.S. RACOON Keep our forests green. — Smokey the Bear In his four years ' service on the Grammarian staff, H.G.S. Racoon has probably worked harder than any of his human fellows. Aside from writing all the introductions and forwards ( and typing isn ' t easy when you have claws) he has had to put up with the demands of numerous finicky artists, who often posed him in compromising - and down right un-racoon-ly--positions, all for the greater glory of our title pages. He is a true Renaissance racoon, and his range of talents is extraordinary. He is a diligent scholar, an exacting scientist, a careful historian; he is fluent in English, French, German, Latin, Racoon, Porcupine, and Muskrat; his writing and debating have won numerous awards, while his acting and artwork are much admired; despite his small size he regularly trounces his opponents in sports competition ( although he is frequently mistaken for a furry soccerball): he is a dedicated, hard working, humourous, mischievous, energetic,--and a born leader. It is rumoured that he will go into forest management. Yet with his versatility, he will not only succeed, but excel, in everything he puts his mind ( and paws ) to doing. We wish him a fondest farewell. ELIZABETH BLAIR REES Talk happiness. The world is sad enough. — E.W. Wilcox Since coming to H.G.S. in Prep Three, Buffy ( as sahe is affectionately called by all and sundry ) has been a popular member of the class. She has invested her energy and bubbly enthusiasm in basketball ( she is quite skillfull - a real force within the team ) and her clear sweet soprano in the senior choir. She has also enjoyed drama, cross-country skiing, and of course taxi service in the Mighty Volvo . Buffy has kept herself busy during the summers as well: sailing at the R.N.S.Y.S., working as a junior volunteer at the children ' s hospital, and a research lab assistant. De spite her busy schedule, she has always maintained a good academic standing. She has a definite flair for languages, and plans to enter Queens University to study for a B.A. Honours in French and German next year.

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ASHLEY MacNEVIN WALLACE Please do not shoot the pianist. He is doing his best . — Oscar Wilde At university next year Ashley intends to major in her favorite subject, biology. Her patience and calm determination equip her admirably for peering through microscopes at minute wriggling creatures, and for the precise work of deciding which skinny bit deep in the bowels of some half-dissected reptile corresponds to the neat little tube in the diagram. Ashley ' s best has been more than enough to prevent her from being shot; it has earned her the respect of her co-workers on the Grammarian, where she was Literary Editor, a thankless task, last year, and on the Students ' Council, of which she is Secretary. Her extra-curricular activities include sailing and playing the piano. Ashley has a wry outlook on life which is appreciated by her friends. She is blessed with a perceptive mind, with an instinct for reconciliation, and a dependability that leaves no question as to whether she will do what she says she will do, and do it well; she has been a valued member of our class. ANDREW PHILIP WELCH To him that absent is All things succeed amiss. — Cervantes In his eleven years at the school Andrew has left a mark which will not soon be erased. His involvement in extra-curricular activities has ranged from being campaign manager for two opposing candidates simultaneously in a Students ' Council election, to a hilarious tour de force performance as Einstein in last year ' s production of Arsenic and Old Lace . One anecdote concerning this play provides a typical and illuminating view of Andrew: he caused an exquisite panic backstage on closing night as he did not appear until ten minutes before curtain time, sending at least two actors, in full costume, scurrying wildly about the city looking for him. I missed the bus, he explained as he was dressed, made up and castigated in record time; yet that night with some ad libs and clever, unexpected stage business, he gave his best performance of the entire run. Andrew has the peculiar and terrifying ability of being conspicuous by his absence when his presence is desired, and by his presence when his absence is sought; and of improving everything in which he meddles. To be fair, Andrew has a willing, helpful nature: he has been indispensable this year in the rewriting of the Students ' Council Constitution, and has often suffered near-electrocution while repairing the school ' s lighting system when a certified electrician was unavailable. Andrew is also the school ' s star debator, and has done much to enhance our reputation at tournaments in Central Canada. He has a gift for subtle and witty argument, barbed repartee-and a natural comic bent. The achievement of which he is proudest is winning the McGill Invitational in 1977. His debating skill is rivalled only by his ability as a mathematician, and next year he will forge ahead with the best into the University of Waterloo- half an hour late, maybe-but everyone will know when he has arrived. MICHAEL JOHN ZYRD Sincerity, deep, genuine, heart-felt sincerity is a trait of true and noble manhood. — Sterne Though Michael fears that many people regard him as merely harmless , his friends know him to be a sincere, thoughtful person, alternately serious and quietly funny. In his three years here Michael has been active in all areas of school life: he is an honour student, a member of the basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams, and a regular at informal badminton and football games. He has, in addition, carefully ministered to the Students ' Council finances as Treasurer this year, worked hard as Glooscap ' s House captain, and taken some good photos for the Grammarian. One must note, however, while looking at the breadth of his activities, the effort he puts into everything he does. Though with his blond hair and straight teeth he reminds us of a UCLA student, Michael is a dedicated Canadian, and next year will probably attend Queen ' s or the University of Calgary to study life sciences. — 17 —