Tillsonburg District High School - Tatler Yearbook (Tillsonburg, Ontario Canada)

Page 29 text:

A C T I V I T I E S Edited by Jean Scrimgeour, XII CADET INSPECTION On Wednesday evening, May 10, 1948, the Tillsonburg High School held its an- nual Cadet Inspection, with the Battalion commanded by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Donald M. Dean. Lieutenant D. C. Irvin inspected the T. H. S. Cadet Corps, assisted by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Donald M. Dean, Capt. G. Hay, Lieut. Colonel Wilkins, O.C. of the Oxford Riiies, and Cadet Major Strobel, C.O. of Company B. The party then inspected the T. H. S. Cadet Band under Staff Sergeant Pat Turner. Company drill was followed by platoon drill by the whole boys' company under Cadet Major Strobel and drill by Platoon No. 1 of the girls' company under Cadet Lieut. M. L. Grass. Thirty-seven boys from Grades 9 and 10 then put on a Field Craft Demonstra- tion, with Capt. G. Hay explaining the procedure. A Physical Training Demon- stration followed, by A Company and a part of B Company. Next on the programme were signalling and iirst aid under Cadet Corporal R. Prickett and Cadet Staff Sergeant R. McCurdy. The final event of the evening was a display of Gymnastics under Cadet Cor- poral R. Fairs which received a great deal of applause and commendation from spec- tators and cadets alike. Following the Inspection Parade, ice cream was served to members of the Cadet Corps in the school's gymnasium and the evening was climaxed by a Cadet Ball which swept away all thoughts of stiff joints and aching feet. TEA DANCE On Tuesday, November the second, for the first time in many years we had a T-dance, or rather a Tea dance. I'm not sure which it was. If it was a T-dance, what did the T stand for? On the other hand I didn't notice and tea-toters hang- ing around. Mr. Taylor, who acted as Master of Ceremonies under the auspices of the THE TATLER Literary Society, kept things lively calling out bingo and tag dances. We surely got our ten cents worth plus. The boys, as usual, were in the minority. consequently much in demand. They stood huddled in a group at the back of the room for whatever protection that might offer. But even this failed when some bold lasses followed in pursuit of a partner for the Sadie Hawkins dance. Several couples came onto the floor when Mr. Taylor offered to teach us the Y dance. After instructing them to wind their arms around each other in a truly chummy way, he asked, Y dance? The participating students turned four shades of neon and looked for the nearest crack in the floor to crawl through. The elimination dance was won by Pat Grey and Peter Gibson, Peter being the only boy who hadn't yet shaved. However, Pat doesn't seem to mind his five o'clock shadow. Winners of the spot dance were Vivian Young and J. B. Kennedy. I looked and looked but I didn't see any spot. Some people have all the luck! Led by Marilyn Stilwell a conga line wound gaily around the gym with George Leatherdale bringing up the rear. Man, George, do you swing a wicked hip! Most of us stood cautiously along the side hop- ing it wou1dn't bite. As the dance came to a close Mr. Taylor expressed his thanks to the crowd that turned out and told us that the money received would be spent on books for the school library and records for the school. Ann Dean, XIA. l COMMENCEMENT The auditorium of the Town Hall was the scene of our annual Commencement Exercises for Tillsonburg District High School, on Thursday and Friday evenings, December 9 and 10. On Thursday evening Proficiency and Sports Awards were given out, and diplomas and certificatas were presented on Friday evening. The valedictorian of the graduating class was Donald M. Dean, now a student at the University of Western Ontario, 27

Page 28 text:

ALUMNI Edited by Mary Lou Grass, XIII A number of last year's students. are continuing their studies at universities, Normal School, or are in training as nurses. Julia Gurklys, after working in Hamil- ton, is now taking a Laboratory Tech- nician's course at a Toronto hospital. Audrey Garnham is in Whitby. Don Dean and Joe Strobel are attending University of Western Ontario. Don is taking Journalism, while Joe is studying Business Administration. In London also, attending Normal School, are Jim House, Marion Howey, Mary Naylor and Berniece Sinden. Don Eckel and Andy More are studying at McMaster University in Hamilton. Don is studying Political Economy and Andy is taking a preparatory course. The girls in training are: Pat Gracey and Gwen Hollier at Victoria Hospital, Londong Gwen Holmes and Joyce Scrim- geour at Toronto General Hospital, and Norma Jones at Hamilton General Hos- pital. Keith Teall is learning typesetting at the Times Journal , St. Thomas. June Smyth and Catherine Travis are now Mrs. Joe Kennedy and Mrs. Ross Wallace respectively. Jack Weeks is staying at home this year. Some of last year's students who are continuing Grade XIII here at T.D.H.S. are Bill Fletcher, Faye Hall, Don Neale, John Nichols, Ron McCurdy, Ted Tillson, Bea Thompson and Donna Wickham. Henrietta Wilkinson is studying music at the Ontario Ladies' College in Whitby. She says of her life at the school: We all co-operate to create our own fun and, strange as it may seem, we do have some very good times. Occasionally there is an outsider who brings some entertainment but these oc- casions are rare so what we do ourselves is what really counts. In a boarding school it is very neces- sary to learn to respect the feelings and 26' wishes of one, two or three roommates as well as a whole school. To live with three other girls all from different parts of the continent, taking diferent courses, of different religions, is an education in itself. It is very interest- ing to listen to Lilia talk about the fas- cinating customs of Colombia, South America, or Marie telling us about the beauty of her island home of Bermuda. The following is taken from a letter written by Marion Howey, about her course at the Normal School: I can say that my life here at London Normal School is a very enjoyable one. Although there is plenty of work to do there are school parties and basketball games to attend. There are four weeks when we are away from the Normal School. Two of these weeks are spent in urban schools, and the other two are spent in rural schools. At these schools we observe other teachers at work, and also practise teach- ing ourselves. Each week on Wednesday and Thurs- day afternoon students go out teaching in London schools or in schools on the outskirts of London. I hope that this will give you some idea of my life here in London. THE TATLER

Page 30 text:

London, who gave his address on Friday evening. A feature of the 1948 Commencement was the first public appearance of the newly organized High School Orchestra under the direction of Steve Choma. The orchestra provided music during both evenings' programmes. After the programme opened with the singing of O Canada and the school song, a group of boys performed on the gymnastic horse, and the clowning of Robert Fairs brought gasps of admiration and shouts of amusement. Mr. Kirkwood adressed the audience with a few remarks concerning the stu- dents' progress during the past year. Grade IX girls then performed a de- lightful dance entitled the Moron March, followed by a lively square dance by Grade X girls. The vocal offerings during both nights' programmes were rendered by a mixed chorus, the T.H.S. Glee Club, who sang negro spirituals. A Boys' Chorus added much to the programme by their spirited rendition of Stout-Hearted Men. These stout-hearted singers included: D. Lee, D. Ashman, D. Currie, R. Rokeby, R. Gib- son, R. Mannell, J. Culp, R. Mason, J. Jones, K. Webster. Eleanor Collings sang a solo, with violin obligato by Steve Choma, which gave added enjoyment. Charles Ketchabaw of- fered a pleasing violin solo. Presentations were made to the students hy Grant Haley of South Norwich, H. F. Johnston of Tillsonburg and K. Emerson of Vienna. Commencement Dance: Following Commencement a dance was held in the school gymnasium, sponsored by the Boys' Athletic Society. A high- light of the evening was a boys' beauty contest which resulted in Dutchy Van- derhoek being crowned Miss Tillsonburg of 1948. His charming ballet costume really did something for him! The runner- up was Carl Wilson, alias? AT HOME '49 Here we are, at last, at the big event of the year. We're wonderfully excited and happy as we cautiously descend the golden stairway to the magic ballroom. We pause at the entrance and gasp with admiration at the miracle Barbara has achieved with 28 our usually drab and bleak gymnasium. The receiving line, composed of Barbara Mason and Ken Webster, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood, Mr. and Mrs. Wightman, have been making the students and guests wel- come. The older boys have been asked to work in shifts patrolling the track, halls and basement. So while our escort takes his turn we stand and literally gape at the decorations. The gym now resembles a huge circus tent with streamers providing the big- top effect. Along the walls are cages, the bars being streamers. Inside these are cute little animals looking over the dancers with interest and admiration. A seal is balancing a ball on the end of his nose from one backboard, while a grinning, large-nosed clown presides on the other. Ted Pudney's famous orchestra is encaged in a streamered corner under a sign read- ing Circus Band . A variety of balloons about the room will no doubt provide future fun. The variety of colour is most effective and we hear rumours that the gym looks the best in years. As we dance to the dreamy music, it is interesting to note who is dancing with whom. Look! There's Shirley and Gene talking to Jean and Georgie. Quite a foursome these days! And there's Pat and Pete. She's absolutely adorable. After a few dances we wander up to the hall to patronize the coke and cookie booth. Well, I guess we aren't the only ones thinking of our stomachs. There is Buzz with his steady, Marie, that cute fifth former. And-well for goodness sake- it seems we are being honoured by the presence of Martha and Al Rokeby. You know them, Tillsonburg's latest matri- monial couple. Betty Leatherdale looks happy as usual, and no wonder, with Doug's diamond winking from the third finger of her left hand. Just for a change we decide to wander up on the track and view the goings-on from above. The drummer suddenly solos and we have the advantage up here. We can look down and get a bird's eye view of the gum-chewing drummer and his flying paws. About one o'clock the dance ends, and with the pink-elephant dance cards as souvenirs we leave the school with happy memories of the '49 Hop. Marilyn Stilwell, XII. THE TATLER