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

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PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK 15 ommenoement On Friday evening, Nov. 29, 1935, the annual commencement exercises were held in the gymnasium of the Paris High School. It was no longer the everyday gymnasium that we all know, but a theatre filled to capacity with an expectant crowd, the flags of many nations decorating the walls, and the stage curtains open, revealing a comfortable living room. This, then, was the scene of the one occasion of the year when parents, friends, teachers, the Board of Education and students 'unite to do honour to the graduates of the school. Mr. Butcher, as chairman, welcomed the guests and called upon Mr. Telfer, chairman of the Board of Education, to present the prizes and me- dals. Mr. Telfer spoke of his interest in the graduates and students, and of the pride which he has always taken in helping the school. He distribut- ed the following athletic medals: Junior Girls'-Frances Inksaterg Inter- mediate Girls'-Barbara Thomson by reversion from Doris Shannon, and Senior Girls'-Marjorie Gilies and Barbara Telfer Ctiedh. Junior Boys'- William Burt, Intermediate Boys'-Harold Stewart, Senior Boys'-Jack Martin, Keith Miller and George Hunter Ctiedb, by reversion from Donald Hickson. The special prizes donated by the staff for the best short stories and poems were awarded as follows: Poetry-Ruth Gilbert and Mary Britton, Senior Short Story-Ruth Durham and William McCrowg Junior Short Story-Walter Williams and Joyce Graham. An amusing three part chorus, The Dumb Wife , was sung by nine of the girls of the school. Great credit is due Mr. Smale for the careful choice and excellent training of those voices which blended so well. The names of the girls are: Muriel Bentley, Rita Bradley, Lucy Grulke, Mary Mogan, Marie Moriarity, Teresa Murphy, Margaret Nash, Joyce Priest, Patricia Tomlinson and Barbara Telfer, pianist. Colonel Monteith, chairman of the Management Committee, was then asked to present the diplomas to the graduates. He explained, for the be- nefit of the audience, the function of the Board of Education, the manner in which the members are elected, and their efforts to act in the best in- terest of the public in the carrying out of their duties. He complimented the citizens of Paris on the very excellent report which Inspector Hoag had given to the Board during his visit to the school. Mr. Hoag laid particular stress on the very fine spirit of co-operation which exists between the teachers and students. He commented on the excellentqualitications of the teachers chosen by the Boaril, and the ab- sence of breakages in the school, due in large part to the home training of the pupil. Colonel Monteith then presented commercial diplomas to the largest class which has graduated from the school in some years and gra- duation diplomas to the senior graduates. To the unusually large number of graduates present, he extended the best wishes of the Board of Educa-

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I 14 PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK Honour Matriculation Scholarships English Composition and Literature--CDonated by Miss Helen Smithb Glenn Taylor. Modern History-CDonated by the Prince of Wales Chapter, I.O.D.E.J El- sie Black. Mathematics--fDonated by Mr. Charles H. Bairdj Harland Kempthorne. Latin-CDonated by Dr. G. W. Bell in memory of his father, Dr. W. N. Belly Laura Wilkin. French-fDor1ated by the late Mr. George E. Taylorj Laura Wilkin. Non Graduates Of the Middle and Upper School who left during 1935. Form III: Ruth Bosworth-Six Middle School papers. At home, Paris. Marguerite Hendra-Two Middle School papers. At home, Canning. Ida Luck-Six Middle School papers. Attending Brantford C.I. Frances McCrow-Six Middle School papers. At home, west of Paris. Carmen Miller-One Middle School paper. At Timmons, Ont. Burt Moore-Three Middle School papers. At home, Paris. John Moran-With E. E. Sayles, Paris Station. William Padden-At home, Paris. Lorne Ridley-Office of Gypsum, Lime and Alabastine, Paris. Form IV: Esther Cameron-Three Middle School papers. At home, Paris. Jean Sutherland-Middle and Upper School English. At her home, Copetown. Attending Dundas High School. Form V: Leslie Cohn-In his one year at P.H.S. Leslie passed three M.S. and five U.S. papers with high standing. He is continuing his studies at Woodstock C.I. as he was unable to obtain transportation from Drumbo to Paris. A. McBeth Murray-At home, Drumbo.

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16 PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK tion for future success. Mr, Butcher in announcing the presentation of scholarships, thanked the donors and expressed his regret that Mr. Taylor had not lived to see his gift presented. The Helen Dickson Scholarship was presented by the doner, the I.O.D.E. Scholarship by Mrs. E. O. Apps, and the others by the principal. fFor list of scholarships and winners see page fourteen. Adam Miller delivered the valedictorian's address. On behalf of his fellow graduates, he spoke of his gratitude to the teachers of the school, and bade farewell to the remaining students. He made mention of the happy years of high school life with all the struggles for knowledge, the opportunity to develop personality and character, the friendships made, and the personal relations of the staff and students, all working for the good of the school. To those who remain he handed over the duty of car- rying on the tradition of honour and good sportsmanship, In conclusion, he said that the graduates will remain in spirit members of the school. It was a worthy and well expressed address. The high light of the program was a three-act comedy Green Stock- ings. In introducing the play, Mr. Butcher thanked Miss McKenzie, who trained the cast, Mr. Robinson, the Tait Optical Co., Mr. Coates, Mr. Cum- mings and all those who in numerous Ways helped to make the play a success. The play was extremely well done, and it would be most difficult to chose a star from a cast of all-stars . The costumes and setting were all that could be desired, and the interpretation of the roles was most clever. The list of characters was as follows: Colonel Smith, Alex Barron, Wm. Farrady, Wm. McCrowg Celia, the unmarriageable, Phyllis, the youngest, Evelyn, fLady Trenchardb, Madge fMrs. RockinghamJ,daugh- ters of Wm. Farrady, Elleene Munroe, Elsie Black, Ruth Gilbert, Grace Dennis, Mrs. Chisholm Farrady, of Chicago, Aunt Ida, Ruth Durham, Robert Tarver, Douglas Moss, Jimmy Raleigh, Jack Wilking Henry Steel, Emory Knillg Admiral Grice, James Elsong Martin, the butler, Donald Hickson. The appla1R' of the audience was proof of the success of the play. Between acts, Norman Seip, accompanied at the piano by Donald Simmons, played several violin selections. The Commencement closed with singing of the National Anthem. While the audience dismissed, the graduates, actors and ushers enter- ed Second Form, which was transformed from a classroom into a recep- tion hall. Mauve, chrysanthemums, yellow candles, ferns and gleaming silver made an attractive background for the guests at the reception given by the staff, Coffee, sandwiches and cakes disappeared with marvellous rapidity, while old acquaintances were renewed, plans for the future dis- cussed and present occupations announced. The friendly, happy atmosphere of the re-union will remain long in the minds and hearts of those who were .fortunate enough to be present. I am sure that the graduates of 1935 are convinced that theirs was the best Commencement of all. Dorothy B. Rae, B.A.