Isaac Newton High School - Newtonian Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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Newtonian 53 the quarters began to pour in. A shield presented to the school by Mr. Jack McKenzie (former janitor of Isaac New¬ ton), instigated keen rivalry among the different classes. Gradually the con¬ test for supremacy narrowed down to Rooms 1 and 14. In 1945, when the last certificate was bought, Room 14 held the shield. The purchases of certificates throughout the war amounted to well over $5,000.00. PENNY FUND Acting on the suggestion of a former student, Walter Peterson, a Penny Fund was started at Newton early in 1940. The plan was to have students contri¬ bute pennies and odd nickels and dimes to the fund, so that the War Savings Certificates drive could be furthered. It was a very successful plan, for many who had found it difficult to buy cer¬ tificates themselves, were now quite willing to contribute to the purchase of certificates in the school’s name. After the first year the system was in operation, the fund reached the sum of $250.99. By June, 1945, it had grown to $670.00. When, in 1946, the school decided to build th e War Memorial, the Penny Fund Certificates were refunded by the Government and set aside for this pur¬ pose. At the unveiling of the Memorial. Walter Peterson, the originator and or¬ ganizer of this great success, was an honorary guest, in appreciation of the aid he had extended to his “Alma Mater.” WAR MEMORIAL The erection of the War Memorial was made possible through the Penny Fund. The Committee had decided to build a memorial in honour of those who had fallen in battle in World War II, and the memorial took this form. On the memorial is portrayed photo¬ graphs of each of the servicemen, against a background of soft colors. It includes the portrait of a member of the staff, Captain Allan Bowman, who fell at Hong Kong on December 25, 1941, and the portrait of the Victoria Cross winner, P-O Andrew Mynarski, who was killed over France. Surrounded by flags of all the allied nations, the memorial bears this simple inscription: “In memory of the Newtonians who fell in World War II.” The ceremony of the unveiling was held on Sunday, November 17, 1946, in the lower hall of the school. Relatives, friends and guests were present to pay tribute to the fine lads who had given their lives “so that others might live.” Mrs. Phillip Smith, mother of Gun¬ ner Leonard Smith (killed in Sicily), and Sgt. Kenneth Smith (killed over Germany) unveiled it, and a one-minute silence was observed. Mr. Floyd then called the Roll of the 49 students who had died on every battlefield of the world. The ceremony was simple but im¬ pressive. Representatives of the Army, Navy and Air Force were present. Other honorary guests were: Mr. W. J. Sisler Rev. Dr. John M. White Rabbi Dr. Solomon Frank Rev. Father S. Semczuk Acting Mayor C. E. Simonite Miss Olga Ewaskiw (soloist) Mr. Taraska Mr. Foreman Mr. Martin Walter Peterson The War Memorial is kept lit con¬ stantly whenever the school is in use and will ever remain a token of our gratitude to those who by their cour¬ age, spared our lives and happiness. Henry Ewacko: “Isn’t my moustache becoming?” Nick Kushak: “It may be coming but I don’t see it yet?” Jerry Bilous: “Mother sent this steak back. She says it’s so tough she could sole my boots with it.” Butcher: “Why didn’t she?” Jerry B.: “The nails wouldn’t go through.”

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52 Isaac Newton High School WAR ACTIVITIES RED CROSS Many of the boys have said that they could not have survived the horrors and privations of the war without the aid of the Red Cross. On foreign soil, where a stranger might more easily be foe than friend, the little comforts which the Red Cross brought were of supreme importance. Here at home, we soon realized that an organization as benevolent as the Red Cross could not carry on its great work without the aid of financial and material support from individuals and communities. Thus, early in the war, plans were made whereby this cause could be furthered. The Canadian schools were asked to participate, and Isaac Newton determined that it too, would work in support of the Red Cross. In September, 1940, Miss Macbeth and Miss Hazelwood organized the Isaac Newton Senior Red Cross. The work was voluntary and the girls needed no persuasion to enter enthusiastically and zealously into the work. In the first year of its formation, they turned out nearly 400 knitted and sewn articles. These included clothing from babies’ booties to size 12 socks. No effort was spared. Besides supply¬ ing our boys with scarves, helmets, sweaters and socks, clothing was sent to the Netherlands Red Cross and the Navy League. By May, 1947, 2,479 ar¬ ticles had been furnished. Through devious ways and methods, which involved the efforts of hundreds of students, our Red Cross fund grew steadily. Concerts, sales of candy, teas and bazaars were held regularly. Pro¬ ceeds from these affairs were all do¬ nated to the Red Cross. In larger school undertakings like fairs and operettas, part of these proceeds were also given. During the seven years of its opera¬ tion, the school contributed nearly $1,000.00 in money to the organization. In 1944, through the combined efforts of the teaching staff, it became possible to send each boy overseas, a copy of the year book. That was a rather costly undertaking, but the genuine apprecia¬ tion of the boys made the effort well worthwhile. Since 1940 it had been the practice to send letters and cards to all members of the Armed Forces, but in 1943, the school also decided to send parcels to those who were overseas. These con¬ tained socks, shaving kits, chocolate bars, cigarettes and other little com¬ modities. It was rather a difficult job to send these parcels. Besides having to pack, label, and address them, the girls found it no easy task to purchase many of the articles. But, despite these obstacles, the job was done—and we knew our efforts had not been in vain. The following excerpts are typical of the many letters received in apprecia¬ tion of the Newton Red Cross: “Thanks a million for the Christmas Card and the news letter. I am sure proud of the old school. Looking at its picture brings back pleasant memories of friendships made there” . . . “Received your most welcome letter, the Year Book, the sweets and the socks. It is wonderful of the school to send us the parcels. The Year Book is a treasure to all. We read it over and over again” . . . FIRST AID First aid classes were started in 1940 under the direction and supervision of Miss Macbeth, who directed the girls, and Mr. Armstrong, who instructed the boys. First Aid was marked the same way as “readin’ writin’ and ’rithmetic” and was considered as part of the commer¬ cial or matriculation course. Mr. Hill awarded St. John Ambulance Certifi¬ cates to the first class in 1941. In 1945, when it became evident that the war would soon be over, the classes were discontinued. WAR SAVINGS STAMPS In 1940, Newton began an extensive campaign for the purchase of War Sav¬ ings Certificates. One day a week was set aside to collect the money, and soon

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Isaac Newton High School WAR MEMORIAL ERECTED IN 1S46-47