London South Collegiate Institute - Oracle Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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L. S. C. I. ORACLE 51 CONGRATULATIONS The staff and students of the South Collegiate join in extending their very heartiest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Freeman, whose wedding was one of the very happy events of last June. Mr. Freeman is now start- ing his third year as a member of the staff and the great interest which the student body showed concerning his affairs last June proves conclusively that he is very popular with every member. Once more, then, we join in best wishes for all time to come. WELCOME TO OUR MIDST With the opening of the fall term, we are very pleased to receive into the life and activities of our school, two new members of our teaching staff, Miss McRobert and Miss Hilliard. Miss Helen Hilliard, B.A., was born in the town of Morrisburg on the banks of the noble St. Lawrence. She received her early education there, and graduated with honours from the Mor- risburg High School. After this she continued her quest for education at Victoria College, Toronto. While at the University, Miss Hilliard estab- lished a brilliant record in her academic work, and won considerable fame as a member of the Varsity Girls' Hockey Team. Although this is Miss Hilliard's first experience in teaching her ability as a teacher in Moderns is very ap- parent in the classes under her in- struction. The responsibility of coach- ing the First Year Basketball Team constitutes a part of her work and already great things are promised for the future. About - some years ago on a quiet farm in the township of Caradoc, ad- jacent to the village of Melbourne lived Miss Jean McRobert. At an early age she entered the Melbourne Public School and continued her studies through the Continuation classes, com- pleting her matriculation at the Strath- roy Collegiate. She pursued her course at Western University, specializing in mathematics and physics. The desire to qualify herself thoroughly for educa- tional purposes, led her to take an extra year at Toronto University, where she achieved distinction in her studies in pure mathematics, graduating with an M.A. degree and being awarded the gold medal. One year later Miss McRobert was engaged as a mathematical teacher in Blenheim High School, where she re- mained for two years. Apart from the academic work Miss McRobert has always shown a great interest in the social life of the school. Already she has won for herself a permanent place in the respect and confidence of the staff and students. -EVELINA THOMPSON, IV Al-

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50 L. S. C. I. ORACLE DRAMATIC EXECUTIVE' Back Row Cleft to rightj-F. White Mr. Freeman G. Ross Centre Row Cleft to rightj- H. Thomas Mr. Jennings. Front Row Cleft to rightj-M. Trout Mrs. Carr-Harris J. Watt. THE HOUSE WITH THE TWISTY WIN OWS One of the most interesting literary programmes of the year 1931 was embodied in a one-act play called, The House with the Twisty Windows. It was the story of a band of English people who, while travelling in Russia, had been captured by the revolutionists and put into prison for the purpose of supplying information which it was believed they had. Harassed by the fear of almost certain d.eath, each individual gave way to his emotions. The vast differ- ence in the reactions of each made the play intensely' dramatic. ' The title of the play was taken from a fairy tale which ran throughout it and which was symbolic of the state of mind of the one man of the group, who sacrificed his life to save another. The part of Lady Ponting, who en- deavours to keep up the morale of the little group was most capably played by Marjorie Pegg. Betty Holmes did full justice to the character of Anne Sorrell, who contributes much to the suspense and dramatic action of the plot. Betty Fraser gave a very sym- pathetic interpretation of the character of Heather Sorrell. The men of the play provide a series of contrasts. The emotional, highly- strung Charlie Clive, well played by Clifford Ready, is an effective foil for the character of Roper, the lawyer. An excellent portrayal of this shrewd man of affairs was given by George Fraser. Strong, matter-of-fact, without im- agination, he forms a striking contrast to the difficult role of Moore, the Irish- man Cwell interpreted by F rank Whitel, whose imaginative character with its sincerity and sympathy, dominates the situation at the close of the play. In the back-ground we find Stepan, the jailor, well taken by Hugh Thomson. The untiring, patient work of Mrs. Carr-Harris and of the pupils who com- posed the dramatic personnel, was very greatly appreciated by the students, as was shown by their undivided attention and their tremendous applause. 4, , . i

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52 L. S. C. I. ORACLE THE FIFTH YEAR BANQUET Each year the crop of successful or unsuccessful students are sent off by an annual banquet. On this occasion they are given a few bits of good advice regarding the future and the facing of the wide, vast and unknown world into which they are thrust to wend their weary way to the end. A large class attended the banquet but we are sorry to say that not all who were present graduated. This fact, however, was unknown at the time: it did not,therefore,deduct from the pleasure of any guest. The date was May 15th, 1931, the time 6:30, and the place, the cafeteria of the South Collegiate. Tables had been decorated by the feminine mem- bers of the class in a right feminine manner. The food tasted great, if one may be allowed to express it that way, in spite of the fact that dark rumours ran amongst the young men that the fair sex had helped in its preparation. This latter fact did not prevent the formingof many ingenious tricks to obtain two slices of pie and ice cream right under the noses of our fourth year waitresses. After a song or two led by Mr. Byles the time for the horror of horrors arrived, the after-dinner speeches. But to our joy we found that these were to be very entertaining as well as in- teresting, containing a message for each of us. The speakers were Miss Macpherson, Hazel Cole, Mr. Graham, Mr. Urlin, Mr. Roland Shannon, and last but not least Mr. Edward Fox. Miss Mac- pherson's and Mr. Urlin's short speeches dealt with our school life in regard to the staff, our attitude and general pro- gress. Those of Hazel Cole and Ro- land Shannon took the student's side of the question. Eddie Fox was the Valedictorian of the eveningg his oration dwelt on our past, present and future. In the course of his speech he pointed out that in first year we excelled in the use of rubber elastics and spit balls, that in second year we progressed to the use of a much more dangerous weapon, the loaded fountain pen, and in third year, well, believe it or not, we were using gas attacks on our enemies. The gas was produced by carbide and ink, mixed together in an inkwell. Fourth year was our turning-point where we began to settle down and take things more seriously. Fifth year, well, we were too good to be true. Eddie's speech was one of his best, not only in its content but also in the emphatic, realistic manner in which he brought out point by point. Not having to help with the dishes, we adjourned to the gymnasium where an orchestra provided music for those who wished to dance. Card tables and ping-pong tables were set up for the rest. Added entertainment was given by Mr. Byles, who sang, and by Mr. Jennings who gave two recitations. TT i l YOUTH yu, M On the threshold of Lzfe you stand, The world 'ls yours to command. The dew of youth 'ls upon your brow, ' The time to achieve is the wonderful Now. In step with progress of highest endeavor Doubt and fear will assafll you newer. Love, purity, justice and truth . , E' ' Bless you and keep you in the days of your Youth. -MarylMace Underwood.