Kelvin High School - Kelvin Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 26 text:

Valedictory Speech The word “valedictory” finds its roots in the Latin “vale” meaning farewell, and “dicere,” to say. We say farewell today to three years at Kelvin High School, and indeed to twelve years in school. For those who have yearned for an elusive “freedom” and who have eagerly awaited the responsibilities of adult life, it is a glad farewell. For others, who have become attached to the people, events, and accomplishments of the past, it is a sad farewell. Yet this farewell marks not so much a good-bye to Kelvin and to school as a departure from one phase of our life. Men through the ages have talked of life as a series of stages which leads man to a final destiny. We are leaving behind one stage of youth. But in order to depart from each phase of life meaningfully it is necessary to have accomplished some¬ thing — to have attained a goal. In youth this goal can be a broadening of the mind and outlook, a deep¬ ening of experience and feeling, and a responsibility in words and deeds which leads to a measure of maturity in the individual. Maturity takes as many forms as there are people in the human race. Each of us must discover it in his own personal way and weave it into the pattern of his own life. For some, maturity means strength. Strength to stand up for one’s convictions and ideas and support them no matter how hard the forces of opposition blow. Strength of will — to do only what you conceive is right, never fearing that the will of others can be im¬ posed upon you. To many, maturity means respect. Respect for the ideas of others, respect for the values of others, respect for tradition and the past. Maturity, too, can mean acceptance of the way things are — of the realization that social, political, or economic chailge in whatever form, and, however, beneficial it seems to some human beings, will disturb the lives of others. Instant revolution and instant change, which are the cries of today, will seldom work, since the great mass of mankind by nature clings to the security of the past. Change in social order has to be a slow task accomplished over several generations, until it has become an integral part of man’s life style. So what have the past three years contributed to the development of individual maturity? It is to be hoped that at Kelvin we have learned not the quadratic formula, not the pluperfect subjunctive of French verbs, but self¬ responsibility and self-discipline. The acceptance of our own responsibilities can be .an important and meaningful step in the growth towards maturity. Those who yearn for the so-called “freedom” of the adult world will find themselves in a few years indebted to the exercises in self-discipline and responsibility which we have experienced here. We have learned, in effect, that in life it is, as it has always been, “every man for himself” — it is your fault if you have failed an examination and no-one can do anything about it but you. And if you infringe upon the rights of others and prevent them from sharing the same priviledges as yourself, then it is you who is to blame and no-, one else is responsible. These principles, however, harsh they seem at the time, guide the individual’s development towards maturity. And surely this is just part of a wider experience we have lived through together at Kelvin. All of us have been changed, been enriched, however so much, however so slightly, by the experience and contact with ideas, con¬ cepts, and especially with contact with our fellow human beings. Here we have learned the feelings, emotions, stresses, and conflicts which await us in life. And these experiences have contributed towards the creation of you — a unique individual, a human being unlike any other on this planet. But the process of maturity does not stop today, nor tomorrow, nor indeed at any of the stages of life. Each experience and contact throughout life deepens our feeling and understanding, and widens our perception until at last, each may discover his own meaning and purpose in life. Charles Hayter 20

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XII - 11 JUDY ALISHARON: Our lively gal, an artist in her spare time, is a slugger in class — famous M.C.C. elevator fights! She will threaten to cut her hair if you do not watch your step. Judy plans to specialize in phys¬ iotherapy. Lucky patients! TED ASH: Ted can usually be seen in the “Pirate Ship” with J. E. He can also be seen on the weekends with P. R. Ted’s favorite saying is: “grill order, two cheeze ket¬ chup only.” Our 5-year man ex¬ pects to attend U of M next year. BOB CAMPBELL: Bob played full-back for the “Big Red Machine” this year and had the unfortunate expe¬ rience of being tackled (and slightly? injured) by one of his fellow teammates. When he’s not living it up in the great out¬ doors he can usually be found at home studying . . . Bob?! CATHY CUMMINGS: Cathy is often recognized as the only student in Kelvin who has her very own pet “Badger.” She can usually be seen scurrying out at noon or at four just to see him. Cathy is a real good kid and we are sure that she’s bound for a future of success. STEPHEN EBBERN: “Tex” can rarely be seen with¬ out his boots or a “Blue” on the weekends. “Tex” is a very am¬ bitious lad, as he is taking num¬ erous extra courses. He enjoys Kelvin so much that he plans to come back next year. Lots of luck Tex — you will need it! RICHARD GILBERT: Richard is better known to the students of Room 11 as “wrong¬ way Gilbert” because he can often be seen going down a one¬ way street the wrong way. Rich¬ ard’s ambition is to dig up archae¬ ological finds. His fate: to be a ditch digger for the rest of his life. GREG HAWKES: Greg asked us not to say any¬ thing about him, unless we could think of something nice to say BILL CHIPKA: Bill is known for his love of hunting. But, no one knows whether he loves the sport or the blood. Bill is also interested in track and field, and owns the “Willy-Mobile”, t h at is well worked in, right Harold? Good luck Willy! DAVID JOHNSTON: Our beloved sports captain is the only one in the room to own a genuine, one hundred per cent “F.U.P. Mobile”. Dave is the undisputed five-in-a-row champ¬ ion of the room and is a member of the “Big Four” (Room 11 Bridge Club). 22