Mount Royal College - Varshicom Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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CONTENTS Administration and Faculty. 9 Student Activities. 17 Student Government. 31 Publications. 36 Honoraries. ' 13 Royalty. 55 Student Body. 63 Scholarships.100 Athletics. 1 ' 15 Special Students.171 Graduation.173 5

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The Wearing of the Green” is an ancient Irish custom which displaced Irish patriots observe on March 17 of each year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Obstensibly the green is worn to remind the Irish immigrant of Ireland with its lush green meadows and verdant foliage. Actually the tradition goes back to the time when the Irish people believed the gods had to be kept happy if the crops were to grow. So early in the spring they gathered green leaves and green boughs, burned them in a religious ceremony and scattered the ashes over the land. They believed the spirit of vegetation lived in the ashes and the spirit pleased the gods. Actually the ashes fertilized the ground and gave to the earth food for the crops. While the Emerald edition of the Varshicom has nothing to do with the Irish custom, but rather marks the 55th Anniversary of this publication, it is good to think of the im- pKcations of the wearing of the green”. The message actually is that we really accompKsh only that for which we are willing to work. As long as the Irish people worked hard to gather their green fuel and worked to spread the ashes on the land they were assured of fertile soil and good crops. When they ceased this labour the soil was impoverished and the crops failed. Nothing in this world that is worthwhile is accomplished without concentrated and devoted labour. Success in college is not automatic and satisfaction in life comes only with a challenging and worthwhile vocation. I hope the time you have spent at Mount Royal College has taught you to set ambitious goals for yourself and to work sincerely towards the accomplishment of those goals. If we have succeeded in so teaching you, we have really given you a good education. W. J. Collett President