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

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22 PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK Valedictory Mr. Chairman, Students of Paris High School, Ladies and Gentlemen: Once again a graduating class must say good-bye to Paris High School, and it is with the greatest pleasure that I address you tonight as Valedic- torian of this 1936 Graduating Class. It is true that this is the goal at which we aimed for some five or six years, and yet, I think it is rather with a feeling of regret that we remember that these few happy jyears. spent within these walls, are past, never to return. Tonight we stand on the threshold of another life, and from this threshold there stretches out into the beyond a great highway dotted with the sign-posts of advantage and opportunity. Ours is the future! Ours is the youth! May we, as we travel along life's road, firmly grasp these ad- vantages and opportunities and by moulding them with honesty, clear- thinking, determination and fair-play, know in the years to come the joy of success and achievement! As we look back into the past, we remember one bright September morning back in 1930, when seventy or eighty very new students enrolled at Paris High School-the Graduating Class of 1936. Truly, we are not that many in numbers now, for many have forsaken our ranks at various times to follow different paths. Perhaps the first two years of our sojourn here were spent chiefly in adapting ourselves to our new studies and new surroundings, and we often used to wonder whether or not we would ever graduate. That eventful day seemed so far away in the uncertain future that we were wont to think of it only at remote times. But, finally the days, the months, the years iiew by, as if on Wings, and we found ourselves passing from Middle School into Upper School. Then it was, and not till then, that We truly realized that we would have to leave our beloved school, and all its dear associations. And so, tonight we have gathered together once more that we may bid farewell to our School, our teachers, the students we leave behind us, and our friends, although in the future we hope to return many times, and trust that we may remain at least in spirit still members of the school. As we recall the countless hours spent here under this roof, I think it is not so much the struggle for knowledge that confronts us, but rather the memory of the happy times spent at our Field Days, our At Homes, our School Dances, Oratorical Contests, Literary programs, our spare periods, our physical training classes, and our basketball games. During these years we took so much for granted, and it is only now when those joys are gone forever that we realize that we did not treasure them enough nor re- cognize their true value. The graduating class tonight would like to express its deep apprecia- tion and gratitude to the Board of Education and to the citizens of Paris who so ably support it. It has always taken the greatest interest in our welfare, and to it we owe our many advantages and privileges. We indeed have a school of which to be proud, and we most certainly have an asset in our principal, Mr. Butcher and his capable staff. Our teachers are al- ways ready to lend a helping hand either in or out of class-periods, and to them we say 'thank-you' for the kindly and most helpful direction that

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PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK 21 ham won the I.O.D.E. Scholarship, presented by Miss Wickson, and Hazel Folsetter was successful in winning the Mathematics Scholarship, donated by Mr. Charles Baird. Ruth Gilbert, who obtained the highest standing in the Upper School examinations, delivered the Valedictorianis address. On behalf of the fel- low graduates she bade farewell with a feeling of regret that their few happy years spent within these walls had passed, never to return again. She expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Board of Education and to Mr. Butcher and the teachers whose instruction enabled them to at- tain their aims. To those who remained, she advised to give of their best to the different societies of the school, and to grasp the torch and carry on. Her remarks were well expressed and worthy of praise. Jean Martin then gave several piano selections which clearly indicated her musical ability. The big event of the evening was the One-Act play entitled, Told in a Chinese Garden, presented by the membrs of the Fifth Form, assisted by members of other forms. In introducing the play, Mr. Butcher express- ed his thanks to Miss McKenzie for her untiring efforts in training the cast, and to those who assisted in numerous ways to make the play a success. The setting was in a traditional Chinese garden with its Hower terraced background, its cherry trees and statuary. A solemn and stately crane, symbolic to the Chinese, stood amidst the roses, 'mums, lilies, marigolds and the tall green mandarins that nodded their pretty heads in the pool. A quaint stone bridge spanning the pool lead to the pagoda, with its red-tiled roof and lantern-bedecked cornices. Black and silver pillars and gilded chairs behind which hung a red nre-eating dragon, formed the setting for the court scene. The costumes were excellent, well-designed and colourful. Everyone was competent and the leading parts were brilliantly acted. The old Chinese songs were beautifully sung and won the high praise of the people. Wang-Chu-Mo CJames Elsonj, owner of this beautiful garden, is en- tertaining a guest, Poa-Ting-Fing CGordon Parsonsj, who seeks in mar- riage the hand of his daughter, Li-Ti fJoyce Priestl. The gardener, Tai- Lo CLeslie Cohnj, however, wins her heart, and receives her hand in mar- riage after he has proved that he is the rightful heir to Poa-Ting-Fing's estate. The other characters in the play were as follows: Ling-Tai-Tai and Lang-Tai-Tai, governesses to Li-Ti, CGrace Dennis and Ruby Wattsjg the Umbrello Boys, CDurward Midgley and Jack Duncanjg the Guard, fMilton Brookslg the Scribe, fJack Wilkinjg and the Gardeners, Clieith Brown and Glenn Taylorj. The whole play showed careful preparation, and a great deal of credit is due Miss McKenzie for making it a success. A reception given by the staff in honour of the graduates took place in the Second Form, which was tastefully decorated with yellow chrysanthe- mums, green candles, and ferns. The guests were received by Mr. Butcher, Miss Cowan, Miss Flanagan, and Mr. Smith. Mrs. Butcher and Mrs. Smith poured coffee while the members of the Fifth Form served refreshments. A dance which followed in the gymnasium was an enjoyable finale to a most successful evening. On Monday night the Commencement Concert was repeated when the gymnasium was again filled to capacity. The musical numbers and the play were reproduced and received with equally great applause by the au- dience. ' Helen E. Taber, B. Com.

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PARIS HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK 23 they have given us the past six years. Then, too, we have our different societies which offer the best of train- ing in ways of leadership and self-discipline, and the opportunity to de- velop personality and character. And to you students who remain, the graduating class urges you to give of your best to the Literary and Athle- tic Societies, for the wonderful advantages that they offer will remain with you always, and enrich your lives long after you have left these halls and your lessons have been forgotten. I think the graduating class of this year will forever cherish the mem- ory of Paris High School for yet another reason than merely that of ac- quiring knowledge. During these years some of the most enduring friend- ships have been formed, friendships that will stand the test of years and still be binding. A few of us went to Public School together, but many of us had never seen one another before a certain September morning six years ago. Since that time we have worked and played together, and be- cause of those happy hours we hold many precious recollections in our hearts, and although for many of us our school days are over, and we are even now Widely separated, these bonds of friendship will become still more enduring as the years roll by. They will not like the rose wither, but like the evergreen live forever. To you who remain!-we trust that you will preserve the stainless honour of our school, the good sportsmanship, and the friendly spirit, and may you strive to maintain the reputation that both scholars and athletes of this school have maintained in the past! So to you we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high! And thus we leave. But before we say farewell, we take one last look at the School that will always be held most dearly and forever cherished in our heart of hearts. Ruth M. Gilbert. 1