Paris District High School - Yearbook (Paris, Ontario Canada)

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PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK who were students of their prowess in debate and sport, of the sadness of parting, but the firm belief that they had imbibed ideas and principles that keep the memory green and help them in years to come. She concluded by saying as a graduating class we leave these familiar halls and lose contact with many who are nobly filling our places. We lose our places and connec- tions, but the memories grow more precious, and our affections for you and the school will never pass away. We do not bid you a long last farewell, for that would be too mournful, let it rather be the old, kindly, aiectionate part- ing, good-bye and good luck. This was followed by Sussex by the Sea, but if the men of that famous province are as slow arriving as the boys were, the scrap would be over before they got there. The girls started well and the chorus, when reinforced, ended vigorously. Then followed the play Ulci on Parle Francais, put on by the students and directed by Miss Cowan. It was well acted and kept the audience in laughter throughout. The various parts were taken by Betty Burt, Marguerite Bringloe, Phyllis Telfer, E. Gould, Fred Pascoe, Joel Eby and Helen Churchill. There are many accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists among the students, and a vocal duet by Betty Aitken and Kathleen Danford, and piano duets by Pearl and Alberta Holmes and Mary Kenerson and Dorothy Mc- 5Ccl?'1iiiCc58 were much appreciated.-W. G. Pickell in Star-Transcript of Dec. t , J . The Post Commencement Concert, Dee. 5, 1928 A worthwhile innovation this year was the repetition of the play and the musical numbers of the Commencement program, along with other attractions, on the following Monday night. A crowd, which filled the auditorium until the ultimate square inch of standing room was occupied, testified to the popu- lar demand for such a concert. The piano and vocal duets which had been so much appreciated on Com- mencement night were heard again with no less pleasure. Additional music was provided both before and during the program by Mr. Jas. Tate's new electric phonograph. It was unfortunate that the huge crowd somewhat dampened the beautiful tone of this machine, but those who were not too near enjoyed the classical standard selections played. Another novelty was the presentation of two folk dances by the senior girls, who we1'e prettily garbed for the occasion in old-fashioned dresses of pastel shades. The dances were very pretty to watch, and showed the result of long practice under the capable direction of Miss Rodman. The third form girls gave a club-swinging drill, which also showed evident training. An item, of which Paris audiences never seem to tire, was the pyramid- building by the senior boys. All of them from the shortest to the tallest, showed great agility as they climbed into various formations, or rolled and dived across the mats. The players who had presented ici On Parle Francais with such evident ability on Friday excelled themselves on Monday. Each member of the cast seemed actually to live his or her part, and that is the highest test of histrionic ability. Much credit is also due to Miss Cowan, who so ably directed the staging of this production. We are also much indebted to Mrs. Adeney who so kindly consented to come and favour us with some selections with her orchestra. After the crowd had dispersed, many of the entertainers enjoyed an hour of. dancing under the supervision of Miss Brett and Miss Rodman. And so, with this celebration, a very successful entertainment was brought to a close. 14

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PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK Valedictory Address Mr. Chairman, Members of the Staff, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,- Your invitation to deliver the valedictory address of the graduating class of 1928, is an honour I fully appreciate, at the same time I realize the re- sponsibility which accompanies the honour. With such a responsibility as this honour entails, I like to feel that whatever ideas I express to-night, whatever praise I offer, whatever challenge I leave, may have the hearty support of my fellow graduates, because as valedictorian I feel it my duty to express not my own wishes only, but those which are held in common among my classmates. We all wish to leave a vital message to those who are left to fill our places, and we all wish to speak a word of appreciation to those who so successfully guided us through the intricate paths of knowledge to those awful June examinations. This scene to-night may seem conventional, but reallv it is no common- place occasion with us because it speaks of exercises and conclusions in life which will never die away. Each year a class graduates from this school and it may seem an ordinary procedure but each class in itself is distinct and quite original. Each class has its own distinct and original message which it wishes to express both to those who have guided its way and to those who have longed to reach its enviable place. When we started last September the halls were resonant with happy voices and bright with friendly smiles. Happy holiday memories were lost in the happier thought of renewed friendships to be continued for another year. Little did we think of what the future had in store for us either of work or play, pleasure or pain. We were soon engaged in what seemed irk- some duties, whose value can only be appreciated at a later date. VVe learned that our teachers were sympathetically hoping great things of us and with this inspiration, we progressed happily together until the days of reckoning came and we were weighed in the balance and the weighing I am happy to say, showed that most of us were not found wanting. But with that event we passed into the annals of the history of P. H. S. And yet it is not as though the connection were severed completely be- cause the friendships we have formed will live in our memory. Often we shall think of you, who are left to maintain our school's noble traditions. We shall think of the hours of sport we enjoyed together, the high hopes we had for our school, and our ever-changing plans for the future. We hope that our memory will not be our only means of comfort but that we may be blessed with actuality and often meet you face to face and have an old time chat. We have faith in you, we are expecting great things of you and may I suggest that without the power of concentration, without a firm determination to conquer, you will not attain success. And after all what is success in life? These are familiar words but their meaning is somewhat illusive and vague. May your idea of success in life be to do something distinctly virtuous and worthy of your heritage. May you be successful, stimulated by the thought that our interest in you never ceases. You are being given a chance to make a success in life. More and more we are coming to the time when only the well educated individual is being sought for and promoted. But it is not enough simply to be equipped with a knowledge of various subjects. One must also cultivate his mind so that he can grapple successfully with the practical problems that he has to attack. Knowledge and your ability to use it will be your great assets, and so in years of preparation do not neglect either. You have a school of which any town the size of Paris would be justly proud. You not only have this excellent building and equipment but above 15