Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute - Spectrum Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 89 text:

TO MR. THIESSEN — OUR PRINCIPAL You have been here 10 years now. Are they long years or short years? You have shared many experiences with us, and with our predecessors. We have caused you a great deal of worry, a great deal of sorrow, but we hope we have also given you some joy. You have learned to know us. Each year, new characters are added to the previous ones. You know the quiet ones, the aggressive ones, the happy ones, the sad ones. You have come to know the leaders, but also those who sit back and take things as they come. You have come to realize that every person has some fault, but also, that each and every person has some worthy attribute. Yes, you have gotten to know us! You may even know some things about us, that we, ourselves, do not know. But while you have been learning to know us, we have been observing you. We see you first, as the principal of our school — the father of our family. A master hand con¬ trolling all the switches. We then come to see you as our teacher. In classes — punctual, extremely organized; quiet, but stem; kind, but almost distant. Some have learned to know you as their coach — hardworking, encouraging, jovial. As a staff sponsor — censoring when censor¬ ship was needed; but never meddling. We have also come to know you as a person. To some — a wise counsellor; to others — a fun loving friend. We have come to know your serious nature, as well as your keen sense of humour. Our relationship to you has been formal. We have come to respect you; not only because of your position, but because of your character. Our relationship to you has also been informal. We have come to love you as our friend and advisor. To an outsider, this may seem foolish and wordy, but we know you will understand its content. We hope, through this note, you will grasp the appreciation we feel, but somehow cannot express. Thank-you, Mr. Thiessen. 83 I