Hillcrest High School - Impact Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

Page 102 text:

Ualedictoru rddi reAS I have been having difficulty formulating this speech even without the added burden of my recent illness. Because of it my mind has consequently been far from being alert. I have never before been asked to present the sentiments of a group of people — what I feel is not nec- essarily what anyone else feels. I played mental ping pong with the problem for hours until the hours became scarce. Still the little light inside my brain had not begun to flash excitedly. Now my problem assumed oversized proportions as I realized I had to beat the proverbial clock. Gradually, however, due undoubtably to my increased preoccupation with the time factor, my little lamp of inspir- ation began to glow promisingly. It occurred to me that this time factor is omnipresent in each of our lives — time being life itself. Now I realize that my idea is neither revolutionary nor does it deserve a thunder- ous eureka! Nonetheless I believe my philosophy professor would be proud of me. But to transfer my theory from the general to the specific: each of our lives can be compared to a clock. Just as there are aluminum alarm clocks, mahogany grandfather clocks and diamond wrist-watches, so are people distinct in external appearances. However, the internal mecha- nisms are basically identical. Before it travels from the factory to the store each clock is tested and inspected to insure its perfection and, thus its appeal to the buyer. The human factory from which we are graduating tonight is a combination of the home and school. Although they do not wear white uniforms or carry complicated instruments with which to ensure our perfection, in effect, our parents and teachers have placed us on the mar- ket. Now we must sell ourselves — whether to a college or a company. Again, just as an automatic clock, all each of us theoretically need from the outside is the occasional shake. Countless times in the past similar shakes and pushes have been admini- stered by those around us who have cared enough to see us succeed. Too often, however, these are thankless pushes. So, on my initiative graduates, take one look behind before you open those doors into the world. Then you will truly hold the future in your hands. Elaine Barr