Sheldon Williams Collegiate - Opus Yearbook (Regina, Saskatchewan Canada)

Page 54 text:

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS JACK THRASHER was chosen by his fellow classmates to make the valedictory address at the graduation exercises on Friday, May 6, 1966. We are here tonight to witness a significant turning point in the life of every member of the graduating class. For some, this event marks the end of twelve odd years of schooling. For others, it is only a milestone in their journey to higher education. For all, it marks the termination of one portion of their lives and the begin¬ ning of a new and startling experience. After four years of perseverance, hope, joy and tears, the members of this class are being thrust forth into a world of complex and frightening aspect. This ceremony here tonight is more than just an acknowledgement of the termination of four years of high school life. It is also a recognition of the work of two groups of people who have become an inherent part of the lives of each member of this graduating class. The first group that comes to mind when we recall with fondness our many happy experiences in this school are our teachers. Not only have they provided us with several years of learning and instruction, enabling us to better cope with the problems of a decidedly difficult world, but also they have, in a larger sense, instilled in us some of the enthusiasm and vigor so necessary for the enjoyment of a successful and- rewarding life. In the words of Emerson, “the things taught in colleges are not an education but the means to an education”. Our teachers have presented us with a great and noble gift. They have given us the keys with which to unlock the doors of life. We came to them as raw, unfinished works. In the past four years they have constantly endeavoured to polish off the rough edges and tonight we see the end results before us. We are leaving this school as young men and women and we face the future well equipped as a result of their skilful work. For this we offer our sincerest thanks. Only time will, show us how much we can never truly repay. There is another group here tonight to whom we will be forever indebted. As parents, they have shared in our every enterprise. Our joys have been their joys, our sorrows have been their sorrows and our triumphs have been their triumphs. In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, “There is no friendship, no love like that of the parent for the child”. May we never forget this. As we advance from one stage of life to the other they are content to sit quietly by and watch us with growing pride. Yet without their devotion, their understanding and their encouragement, without their unselfish acts of love and kindness, without their sacrifices for our sake, the road to this graduat oi would have been a bleak and foreboding one inde ;d May God grant us the ability to lead such lives so as tc reflect in some small measure the love and affect ot they have put into our upbringing. As we stand now together, on the eve of oui departure from the halls and classrooms of Sheld «■ Williams, we pause for a moment for a brief backw. n glance at the many happy times we have shared togetl er Through participation in the many activities which h. vt been opened to use, through our studies and our wo la in the classroom, through our parts in school governm ® and in the organization of school functions — throi gl all these things we have striven to better ourselves a citizens of our community and in a larger sense, a citizens of the world. Nor is this the end of our struggle. We mjsi continually seek a better and more bountiful existenct for ourselves and all mankind. This is but a milesti m in the journey to that end. As we step forward into the buffetings and puni ;h- ment of life in this world of ours we will be constar tl relying ton the knowledge and skills which we h. vt acquired during our stay here. It is up to ourselves t( decide best ways and means of using these tools. Il only, like Ulysses, we could “push off and sitting uei in order smite the sounding furrows”. But this is not to be. Separation is inevitable ant we must follow our individual paths along the road tc fulfillment. We will soon have parted, never again to have hi pleasure of a gathering such as we have here tonight We will, each of us, go on to make new acquaintance fulfill new ambitions and conquer new fields. We will suffer defeats, but let these defeats se vi only to spur us on to greater accomplishments. We will experience sorrows but let these sorrow serve only to remind us of life’s pains as well as its jc-ys We will achieve new honours but in the light ant glory of these honours may we remain ever mindful o! the work yet undone and of the plight of other mei and women less fortunate than ourselves. Here we stand untried, and untested, yet full oi hope and confidence. To Sheldon-Williams and it many memories we are saying goodbye. We are leavin: a part of ourselves behind. An unknown land, cloakec in silence, beckons us and we must follow. Thank vou 52

Page 53 text:

“The old order changeth and giveth place to new”. This oft used laying has always been apt to describe the affairs of men throughout the listory of the world but it has never appeared so true as today. Rapid zhanges of gov’t, new political nations emerging, quarrels, revolutions, counter revolutions, wars and rumours of war fall upon us in such rapid succession that it is all too easy to despair and to feel that the world is disintegrating into chaos. The feeling of disorder and insecurity is so widespread that many people have lost confidence in the old established values and youth, lacking firm direction and with a bewildering abundance of choice, is experimenting wildly in every direction. Poetry is no longer lyrical but is a bewildering jumble of words in unrhymed lines of uneven length; art no longer shows recognizable images, but spills formless splashes of color on canvas; popular vocal music appeals to teen-age audiences more by the clothes and eccentricities of the performers than by their singing; modem serious music explores the ways of discord rather than harmony; the ways of academic learning change radically we have had the three R’s since time immemorial and now-hey pristo-the New Maths ;-and university students no longer sit in awe at the feet of their professors, but rampage around the campus with placards demanding to take over the administration. The old Gods no longer exercise their former influence. Even gravity has lost its pull — as astronauts have shown us. It is the theme of my discourse however that this apparent disintegra¬ tion and chaos is in fact a misleading image and that in reality we are in the midst of reform and hopeful growth that is part of the golden thread of man’s progress to a better and more united world. The dawn of man’s history found him struggling in primitive fashion in a family group completely cut off from contact with anything beyond the immediate surroundings of his dwelling. As civilization grew, man advanced to a bette r life by constantly widening the group of people which he knew and with whom he lived harmoniously. The group enlarged from the family to the village thence by degrees to the petty kingdoms, dukedoms and principalities and so to the large nations of zomparitively modern times. In this struggle for survival the motive power has until recently always been one of self-interest and disreguard for others. The background bas changed from the caveman with his club confronting the sabre-toothed tiger to the harrassed commuter with bowler hat and brief case repelling the friendly neighbourhood finance office and the sharks of Wall Street, but the motive power of greed and acquisition has not changed and the ad result of this policy is all too evident. Through all these changing times, war has been the accepted method af settling national differences. As trade and prosperity became more inked throughout the world wars, when they occurred, became more terrible in their consequences. Furthermore the greater education of the zommon man made conquest and subordination more repugnant. In the 19th century modern ideals of democracy and self-government aegan to influence peoples’ minds and as a result the British Empire Degan to develop in such a way that all its peoples might in due course assume powers of self-government. Canada was the first country to achieve :his and did so in 1867. It has become the fashion in the world today to decry imperialism but I think that the perspective of history will show that it was a necessary step in the development of the world. In the main, British mperialism was dedicated to the advancement of the native peoples. It is not the irony of fate but the logical consequence of British x licies that Cecil Rhodes, the protagonist of Empire, should be com¬ memorated most by the Rhodes Scholarships and that many of the eaders of the new African nations in the Commonwealth, who now speak ;o strongly against the alleged evils of imperialism, acquired their education n English universities. With this brief summary of events to date, let us consider the world is it now exists. The Communist powers confront the Western democracies ind standing apart, as an increasingly important group, are many African md Asian nations newly formed, unable to survive alone because of their ack of resources and training and yet too proud and independent to iccept help gracefully. In consequence the world is torn with fierce iissensions, but the old method of settling national quarrels — total war s unthinkable to both sides in this atomic age. Quarrels must be conciliated. This truth has been realized for some time now, but efforts to achieve )eace by discussion bring little success, as witnessed by the failure of the -eague of Nations and by the many setbacks and stalemates that now flague the United Nations. This awful dilemma has its brighter side, since the impending calamity s so great that it will force all peoples to make the greatest efforts to ivoid it. Viewed in this way, we may take heart not because of the failures, ind they are not few, but by the successes which are many. I do not wish lere to take up political and idealogical issues to defend the West in its resent position in Vietnam and elsewhere (although I think it is lefensible) or to condemn the Communist actions, but I want to point ut all the encouraging factors. Men, in all their activities, work in the knowledge that the world s indivisible and that no part of it can continue in freedom and prosperity, unless its peoples recognize the hopes of others to do the same and assist them to that end. Tolerance and forbearance in fact so flourish in the western world, that it is rare indeed to find anybody refusing to listen to the argument of the other side or failing to agree with at least a part of it. This has gone to such lengths that paradoxically it now seems that atheism is the only intolerant religion remaining, that pacifists are the only people who will not surrender and that management is the only part of industry that is prepared to labour. The ecumenical movement in Christianity flourishes wonderfully and there is increasing co-operation between all religions. Most nations co-operate in scientific research and tremendous humanitarian efforts are being made by the less controversial works of the United Nations, such as U.N.E.S.C.O. and the World Band. This then is an exciting time in which to live. It may prove greater than the Reformation or the Renaissance; it may be the dawn of the Golden-age if we succeed, and the end of man if we fail. Thus we have reached a wonderful stage in world history where the Golden Rule — to do unto others as you would have them do unto you — is not only the ideal precept of ethics, but the practical and necessary rule for survival. The crucial test will be whether we can succeed in bringing all people within the United Nations or some other international organization, and make the conciliation of quarrels effective in practice. Can this be done? At present the United Nations does not do it successfully except between the minor nations. The answer would surely be not to ‘abolish the United Nations, but to assist it to work more effectively. This is the great opportunity for the commonwealth of Nations, which in its limited sphere, is already showing how diverse peoples may work amicably together. It is an unique organization. It embraces young nations, old nations, white people, colored people, people of all religions and all political views and people who often have serious differences (as indeed they have today in respect of Rhodesia). Yet the common bond of Commonwealth has so far ensured that they keep working together trying to reconcile their disputes. Within its ranks the rich assist the poor in wealth and technical assistance, yet at the same time listen in sympathy to their views. It has proven so effective a help that most countries of the Empire on achieving independence have voluntarily decided to remain within the Commonwealth. As the oldest Commonwealth member other than Great Britain, and with one of her sons, Arnold Smith, as the Canadian Secretary General of the new Commonwealth Secretariat, she has a great chance to play a leading role. I do not suggest that all nations should join the Commonwealth. I care not what the international nation be called which will save mankind. I merely urge with all the force I can command that the Com¬ monwealth — the best example of international co-operation that works — be encouraged with all our power, either to strengthen the United Nations or to work toward the establishment of some international conciliatory organization that will be effective. I can conceive two possibilities. On the one hand as the more likely possibility, the Commonwealth can greatly assist the United Nations to success, and when that success is achieved, can merge with and in it. On the other hand the Commonwealth may grow and become a world¬ wide organization itself. I would ask you to reflect on what I have said. Do not dismiss it as an idealistic mirage. The state of the world is so grave that short-sighted plans of materialistic self-interest are doomed to failure. Long-range plans of unselfish vision in the interests of all are neces¬ sary. They are practical because only thus can destruction be avoided. Let us all work so that we may inspire ourselves and our friends, and through them our Canadian people and the Canadian government, to the end that we shall give worthy leadership in the Commonwealth, and through it to the world. This is our best hope for a stable world-peace with honour and without surrender, a peace in which all nations shall live in freedom and prosperity, composing their differences as they arise, not by armed conflict, but by honourable discussion and conciliation. This is the cause for which I speak; this is the goal I set before you; and this is the race I ask you to run. SALLY MOSS (runner-up in the Bryant speak off.) 51

Page 55 text:

Creative Writing Club REFLECTIONS Reflections: Drifting dreamily on the waters of time — Past life and dreams. They are tranquil now. Reflections: Erratic visions on the suffering seas — Hopes creased with fears. They are poised beyond. Reflections: Rest at last on a timeless calm — Living remained, Though the seas swell no more. Front Row: Elizabeth Lane, Marilyn Gillmore, Gail Evans, Pat McKay. Back Row: Rod Spooner, Mrs. Foss (Advisor), Sandra Johnson, Mary Ellen Fisher, Paul Viminitz. Can you see? Can you tell? What will be or if it’s well? Then you’ve gotta try to understand, And if you can’t then take my hand And I will show you the future. For I can see and I can tell. GAIL EVANS TREES In this world there’s but a few Of the kind I describe to you. For what’s going on in their minds, It’s like being guided by the blind. And maybe one day you might be Able to tell and to see. It’s spring. Your buds, open wide Your dainty flowers do not hide. Open your leaves, bring forth your green, Do not be fearful to be seen. Welcome the spring birds with open arms, Let their joyful tunes bring forth your charms. I ain ' t got no crystal ball But I can walk standing tall; Some say that you can’t live out Your lifespan in this world no more. But I’m against that, as you might know I professed that many years ago. It’s summer. Offer forth your shade And give us humans aid. Defy the sun with your shimmering leaves, Refuse to wilt in the hot summer’s breeze. Spread your boughs to protect the nests. And care for the birds who seek rest. It’s possible one day that it might fall But there’ll be no panic and no call To have any fear or to show Hatred, because it will come quickly On belchin’ flame and wings of steel, And a little heat is all you’ll feel. It’s fall. Change your green for gold. Display your glory as of old. From green to gold to orange to red Stand forth with all your beauty spread. Show forth your splendour on the hills And in the valleys and along the rills. It’s winter. Sharp against the skyline Bend to the wind’s whistle and whine. Outlined in the shimmering frost Forlorn, uninhabited and lost. Soon will come the warm spring breeze. But now — sleep, sleep dear trees. MARY ELLEN FISHER Some ffseople call it a killer bomb, O they will say that it ’s not wrong. But I still know that it won’t come For my common sense tells me that I’m right. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ll still fight For my country, and for my life. Although when I’m dead and in my grave I won’t have a life left to save. ’Cause I know that big bomb it ain’t gonna fall. My mind tells me so. And, if it does, you and I won’t hear ’Less we live for a few hundred years, or more. ROD SPOONER (lyrics to be accompanied by guitar) 53