Stratford Normal School - Classic Yearbook (Stratford, Ontario Canada)

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Page Thirty-Two THE CLASSIC June 1923 -.riff ' faf ,, - rf 5. .,-1 A .-Q ' A swing of Oil-'lagan's mighty arm, a streak of white, a thud in the catcher's mitt, a belated grunt, and the story of London at bat is told. Perchance it is unwise to disclose figures at this early date. We do not wish to lose our phenomenal twirler to the Giants or Phillies. Suffice it to say that O'l'lagan pitched a wonderful game, getting nineteen strike-outs. There was a noticeable breeze occasioned by the frenzied swings of the Londoners. O'Hagan received good support from his team- mates and when the game was finished, Stratford Normal School had the heavy end of a 7-3 score. W. A. MORRISON. If a fee of fifty cents were charged to see the sun rise, nine-tenths of the world would be up in the morning. VALEDICTORY There is a tide in the affairs of men, Whiclm, taken at the flood, leads on to fortuneg Cmitted, all the voyage of their life ls bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloatg And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. --Shakespeare. The swift foot of Time has advanced to another milestone and we, his companion travellers, can al- ready discern at the crossroads the inevitable sign-board of our destiny symbolizing our graduation from the school of books to the school of life. The intervening space is short and straight and our path is well marked out, but beyond all is vague and indistinct. Like the ship that picks its way across the harbour before it ar- rives at open water so we are given a brief opportunity for reflection before our frail craft ventures out amidst the storms of life. ' . Contemplation leads us back through all the years of our academic career. We recall the many pleasant associations that have brightened and cheered our way. We remember with an intense gratitude the kindly in- dividuals Who gave us our directions and pointed out for us the goal of life. As we proceeded through each grade of our primary and secondary education we form- ed friendships that have lasted and will last throughout the years. Then we entered upon our professional train- ing at the Stratford Normal School and found in it per- haps the happiest and most profitable experiences of our whole school career.

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June 1923 THE CLASSIC Page Thirty-One HOCKEY. On January 27th the London N.S., arrived to take a fall out of the local boys' hockey team. However, strange to say, and much to the surprise of everyone, they were forced to return to London with the small end of a l-0 score. Anderson. our husky defence man, was responsible for our lone tally. The return game was played in London on February 10th. Again the locals were victorious and returned jubilant and happy in the knowledge of a 2-l score in their favor. Next came a series of four games with the local Col- legiate in which the Normalites won two, tied one and lost one. Rivalry was very keen and culminated in a red-hot final game in which the Normal School team routed the Collegiate 2-0, and simultaneously captur- ed the title of interscholastic Champions. BASKETBALL. The basketball season provided lots of excitement, but did not add much glory to the school as far as the boys were concerned. The girls team played several games with the Y.W.C.A. teams, and won all their games. The boys' team, however, fell before the Collegiate boys. the score being 47-I 7. The girls' and boys' teams went to London for their annual game. They were very hospitably received and then handsomely defeated. The girls' score was 24-0 and the boys' 20-13. i All in all, very little glory was gained but everyone had a good time which, after all, is what really counts. TENNIS. Tennis probably claimed more time at the school than any other sport. Every pleasant day, and on some unpleasant ones too, the courts were crowded. Early in the term, a tournament was held and some weird and wonderful tennis was displayed. Frank Walkom and Anne Lawrence defeated all comers in the mixed doubles and annexed the title of Champions BASEBALL. The first game of the season was played with the Collegiate Institute. The Normal School with F. O'l-lagan in the box walloped out an easy victory 24-4. On Saturday, May 26th, the baseball team of the London Normal School arrived in Stratford with colors flying and bands playing. What confidence they had! THE BASKETBALL TEAM

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June 1923 THE It has been said that the joys of anticipation are greater than those of realization but the students who have been privileged to attend this Normal School can testify that the reverse is the case. Prior to last Septem- ber the year to be spent in Stratford Normal School was regarded as a disagreeable yet necessary bridge between us and our ambition. Such were our thoughts when as strangers we first crossed the threshold of this institution. But how speedily did this viewpoint change! A few short weeks passed and the very halls and corridors of the building assumed a new meanng for usp the unfamiliar and seemingly unharmonious surroundings melted into a softer tone and we were strangers no longer. As the weeks and months hastened by and as we came to know our teachers and fellow students better there arose in our hearts a deep thanksgiving that Pio- vidence had guided our footsteps to the Normal School. We found in each other a perseverance and dogged de- termination, we found companion spirits with ideals and aspirations like unto our own, and we found with those companion spirits that fellowship that strengthens and inspires. Small wonder, then, that out of that fellow- ship should spring the many deep-rooted friendships that will grow and develop throughout the years even though the barrier of distance may separate each from the other. The various school activities of the year have been a decided success. Every organization has executed its function with but a single aim--the welfare of the school and the progress of every individual member. Our ath- letic and literary attainments compare favourably with the standards set up by previous classes. Our numer- CLASSIC Page Thirty-Three ous social gatherings have been happy events replete with music, laughter and song. This record has only been possible through the excellent co-operation and faithful service of everyone and through the continuance of that undefinable something known as uesprit de corps. The progress of any body of students in any institution depends largely upon the character and personality of the individuals who lead them in their studies. ln this branch of our training we have been most fortunate in having the sympathetic guidance and advice of an ex- ceptionally capable staff of masters and instructors. They have given freely of their time and talent in our behalf, they have laboured unceasingly to place before us the best of principles, methods, and morals, and they have imbued us with a desire to go out into the schools of our land to strengthen and improve our national educational status. For these faithful friends we will always hold a warm spot in our hearts. To the teachers in the Practice Schools, too, we would express our gratitude. Their counsel and kind criticism have been most timely, and often we have wondered at their patience and forbearance. Our crude attempts at teaching during the early part of the year must have been somewhat of a trial to them and again it must have been a delight to note our gradual improvement under their tutorship. Our sojourn in Stratford has been brightened by the friendly attitude of the citizens themselves. From the very first they made us feel that we were welcome as the flowers of May. The churches and ministers of the city have been most gracious and we shall carry away