Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School - Echoes Yearbook (Peterborough, Ontario Canada)

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THE Ecuons 67 Now comes the piece de reszfstaizce of y our Alumni Section- a letter from an ex-student who was Princeps Alumnus in 1922, who joined the staff of P. C. I. in 1923, and who left us last year to accept a position with Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Ottawa - a letter from E. F. Legon: -10-1 Laurier Ave., East, Ottawa, Ont- February 2, 1937. Dear Editor: . It is a difficult task you have assigned me. and I would that I had the power to- phrase my words in a way to interest your many readers. Those who find pleasure in the handicraft of nature will readily admit that Peterborough and the lake district hold a charm that delights the pleasure seeker, and a restful quiet for those wearied by the toil of cities. Ottawa, too, abounds in natures gifts and, though it is a much larger city, the country-side is accessible in a very few minutes. Much of the city itself is as nature provided, and man's handiwork has but added to its beauty. As I walk my way to school I cross a bridge over the Rideau Canal. There, to the north, is Parliament Hill, the Chateau, and beyond, where the canal lowers to the river level, is the valley of the Ottawa, and in the background, the Laurentian Hills. It is a sight that never wearies the eye, whether a rainy mist blows down from the hills or the sun glints on the metal roofs of the buildings and lends a deeper azure to the hills beyond. 'Tis to such a place we have come to work and live and we are naturally happy to have such realms to explore. So much about our new home. Do I think of P. C. I.? Yes, quite often. There are many incidents that creep back into my memory, too numerous to mention. I might indulge in the usual encomia, but I shun these. Everyone knows that P. C. I. is one of the best in the land. Its staff is surpassed only by the man who heads it, Dr. Kenner. Its teams have always been outstanding. Why should I eulogize? A word to the pupils, perhaps? No! They will be castigated often and encouraged in turn by each and every one of their masters. Hard is the lot of the pupil, yet it is the best time of their lives. That statement will be received by all school children like the utterances of Cassandra by the Trojansg and alas! they will realize it only when the days are gone and but a memory. And so, if once in a while you become reminiscent and we choose to enter your thoughts, remember that we cherish the days at P. C. I. Remember, too, that we still find, like Horace in his Sabine Farm, the sincerest pleasures in the simplicity and grandeur of nature. And our wants are amply supplied here. You will excuse these rambling thoughts of mine. Do accept my thanks for the opportunity of being back in P. C. I. once more, in thought at least. Yours sincerely, E. F. LEGON.

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66 THE EcHoEs 'We have also received a letter from Lorene Piper, a graduate of P. C. I., who is now attending Queens University: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. Dear Echoes: Or Dear Students, which is a more amiable beginning. - I first want to thank the editor for this opportunity to revive former memories and friendships with P. C. I. As a dignified college student, I look back on my high school days with much pleasure. Only after beginning our college studies do we realize the value of our high school education. Despite the drudgery of homework and the wretched examination Cso students sayl. the program of study gives you a general knowledge. The athletic and social activities of P. C. I. develop personality and character. The spirit of loyalty felt by post-graduates is great evidence of the school spirit existing in your institution. One of our great desires is to attend a university. The general broadening, the opportunity of meeting young people from all parts of the Dominion, the formation of life-long friendships are some of the most valuable acquisitions of college education. The medium for attaining this to its full is residence life. This environment offers pleasant social contacts, teaching you to live congenially with others - young people Whose minds are developing can meet on a common basis to discuss some of the problems confronting us today. You begin to develop individualism and power of independent thought. Most illuminating are the views and opinions on Europe today, given- by the exchange students from Germany and France. Open to every student are the facilities for diversified sport and enjoyment of inter-collegiate games. The college clubs are especially interesting because of their cultural develop- ment. There are the English Club, French and German Clubs, Biology Club, the Dramatic Guild and Camera Club, the League of Social Reconstruction which is a society devoted to the study and improvement of our social conditions, and the student Christian Movement for the study of religion and its full realization in life. The bi-weekly school paper encourages those interested in journalism. You are surrounded by an atmosphere of learning, by eminent professors and great scholars. Advanced studies in your chosen subjects, mingled with a bit of philosophical thinking, constitute the academic side. Such as these opportunities are, I believe that the old saying, You get out of college only what you put into it, is true. You must participate in student activities in order to gain the real benefits derived from a college education. The advantages of the university library, where current papers, magazines and thousands of volumes of the best books are obtained, give students every opportunity to become literary. Vile, as young people, are facing the troubled world of today where economic stress is causing unemployment, war, bloodshed and suffering. In the face of these problems we are trying to fit ourselves to earn a living. It is very important that we choose our vocation wisely and endeavour to help society intelligently, to further the cause of democracy and to help our less fortunate brothers. In conclusion, I wish this year's graduating classes, who are choosing a career, the very best of success. I hope that those remaining will enjoy their years at P. C. I. as much as I did. Yours sincerely, LORENE PIPER.

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63 THE EcHoEs .levi 'T ,, it Pi A l QHQ ll-I A- .fifjlffzzjzl 2-IL VEIKHTT 1 ! 6 . qi., 6 ' V f..,, MANX' useful ideas for our own year book have been derived from our exchanges, They have been a constant source of both pleasure and information to the whole editorial staff. Hf those that appealed especially to us, we would mention the tlzpreol Year lioolc with an interesting foreign section and an attractive cover. The Sfzzifehl contains very good photographs. The sections on the British Empire in The lvzrhnllz are of particular interest. 'lfgil' Ozfzery See Us UYUURS is one of the most interesting magazines that we have received. The smart cover design immediately catches the eye, and the illustrations, class write-ups, 'Purple Patchesf and abundant humour are excellent. - The Aizizmll, Burnaby, B. C. A well organized and neatly arranged magazine. Vl'e especially liked your literary and photography sections. e The Vzzlcazz, Central Technical School, Toronto, A two-star magazine. Your printing is too ornate. - A'0rz'0c, Northern Vocational School, Toronto. 'tYour 'Purple Patches' held our attention all the way through. The photography page is excellent. -Enxicrnz Echo, Eastern High School of Commerce, Toronto, Your literary section is especially fine, The numerous drawings are quite gomlf' - The fiI't'5t'ClZf lizfgle, Crescent Heights High School, Calgary, Alta. Um' Exchange ,QM lYe are pleased to welcome four new magazines this year: Tech Talk, Uttawa Technical School. l ear finale, Commissioners High School, Quebec City. Your Hook, Capreol High School. Zcplzyr, Ridgetown High School. The complete list follows: Acta CTOTTUQFZC, Chatham Collegiate Institute. The ,-llfhzi, Albert College, Belleville. Auazzrai, Burnaby South High School, Burnaby, British Columbia. The flrgoxy, Central High School of Commerce, Hamilton. The .-lrgoxy of CS01llHlE'l'L'C, High School of Commerce, Ottawa. .'llldl'l'07'I'ZlHI, Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational School. The Cbllegzuaz, St. Thomas Collegiate Institute.