Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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- 17 - STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT Under the encouraging faculty ad- viser. Miss R. McDowell, the O.L.C. repre- sentation of the World-wide Student Christian Movement had one of its most successful years. The Fall Bazaar held on November 20th, was particularly a success. Hand-made articles such as knitted goods, aprons, pennants, and stuffed toys helped to bring in large proceeds which were readily distributed to such organizations as Care, Hurricane Fund, Save the Children, etc. The Sunday Evening Chapel Services this year have been well packed with Chris- tian guidance, human interest and humour. For the most part of the services. Dr. Osborne conducted sing songs of the favorite hymns of the students. He followed these with short sermons on Christian Living which the students found most helpful. Human interest came out in the topics of Dr. Otvos, a member of the staff at the Ontario Hospital; Mr. Smith, a student minister and Mr. Ferguson, a missionary in Angola, Africa. Dr. Otvos spoke on conditions in his homeland, Roumania, during the war years. His speech painted vivid pictures of his at- tempt to escape the Nazis. Mr. Smith gave a humorous account of his trials and tribulations as a student minister in the Canadian West. It was hardly what one would expect. The seniors put forth many questions, and as a result, Mr. Smith was invited to the Senior Class meeting following, where they were an- swered. His topic was humorous as well as educational. In another part of the world, Africa, the United Church is also working. Mr. Ferguson from Angola gave an account of his duties as a missionary, and brought us right on the scene by showing colored slides. The students realized just how much work has to be done in other parts of the world and how difficult it is to carry on in such conditions as in Africa. A different but important aspect of appearance was described by Mrs. Kemp of Whitby. She stated that the inside ap- pearance of a girl, was just as important as the outside. There wasn ' t one girl who could afford to miss the subject. Elly Bradley from the University of Toronto explained the Older Boys Parlia- ment meetings at O.L.C. during the Christ- mas holidays. He thanked Dr. Osborne for the use of the school for such an event, and mentioned that the boys had a wonderful time during their stay. The S.C.M. Committee of the year hopes that the succeeding group will have a year as interesting and as enjoyable as we have had during ' 54 and ' 55. Suzanne Eckel OKTICLOS This year we had a live group of eager members. Our meetings never lacked performers. Mr. Atkinson ' s students played piano selections for us. Miss Vance ' s students both played and sang, and girls from Mrs. Aymong ' s classes gave readings. We all found it good experience to perform in front of others. In the moments before a meeting, music from the practice-rooms floated out windows on all sides of the building. When we came downstairs on a Wednesday at five o ' clock, it was with great glee that we fetched cushions from the men ' s washroom. Helping hands were swift with the chairs in the concert hall for the Canadian Concert Series. What to wear to this concert, or that, was a good topic of conversation. All this shows the enthusiasm given as a group. After the advanced students ' recital, I wrote in my diary; What an exciting even- ing this has been. You should have seen the pink and pastel puffs, and all the flounce and bounce in the hall tonight. We all wore our formal dresses, so that the concert hall was just floating with pretty flutter. We had last year ' s president, Marilyn Reader sing for us -- oh, it was beautiful! Margaret Cameron and Elaine Miller sang, too. Elaine played Mozart, Mollie played Mendelssohn, Joanne, Chopin; and Mary and

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ONTARIO LADIES ' COLLEGE CHOIR

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- 18 - the organ became one, when Bach ' s lovely F major Prelude and Fugue rolled forth. Olive Kaiser introduced C.P.E. Bach with the well-known, Solfeggietto, which Mr. A. accompanied on a second piano. The choir provided the top thr ill of the evening when they led us happily, dreamily, amongst pale moon-beams and gently colored sunshine. To close, we sang our school song composed by our distinguished principal. This really brought us to a height of me- lody, color and emotion, for 1 did see the glisten of a teardrop. At the time of writing this we are still looking forward to another student re- cital in May. We were proud and happy to see the advanced students move ahead so quickly. Karen Munro and Beth Yearley passed their Grade 8; Mary Harper shone with first class honours in Grade 9, and is trying the Grade 10 in May, as well as the A.R.C.T. in organ; Joan CoUacutt will also try the Grade 10 in May; Mollie Millar and Joanne Strowger are off to a good start for the A. R.C.T. teacher ' s diploma next year. The success of the Okticlos Club has been due to th e wonderful effort of Mr. Atkinson, Dr. Osborne, and the other teach- ers and the eagerness and ability of the students. Since Mr. Atkinson has been a part of the school for forty-four years and founder of the Okticlos, we feel, now that he is leaving us, that some of the strength of a stone wall is leaving, too. He has laid a sturdy foundation and we hope to carry on to his credit. As head of the music department in the school, he worked with us at music les- sons on Wednesday, at extra lessons, at auditions, in preparation for recitals, Christ- mas festivals and graduation. He was pre- sent at concerts and ever ready to accom- pany on the organ or piano. We appreciate also Mrs. A ' s help with technique, and her advice to students in her field of teaching beginners. We are very sorry that Mr. A. is leaving us, and very thankful for his great kindness and his work, but especially are we thankful for the fun and good will which he so freely radiated. CHOIR Sing! Sing! Sing! Music, work and travel. What could be more fun for the members of our school choir? The music we have learned this year has given us a varied and interesting repertoire. The work and the travel should be classed as a neces- sary part of the enjoyment, for performance was our goal. These performances have taken us to Agincourt, where we sang at a Sunday even- ing church service; to Oshawa where we gave a Christmas programme over the radio, and to Gravenhurst, where we gave a con- cert in the United Church. Dr. Osborne and Miss Vance, as well as the choir, took, part. The trip to Gravenhurst was a great deal of fun in every way. After all our practising one could hardly believe we would sing continually on the bus, but we did, accom- panied by ukeleles, mouth organs, and combs. We arrived at Gravenhurst at four o ' clock, did some more practising, and after an hour and a half of free time, met at Sloan ' s Restaurant for a wonderful dinner. From there we returned to the church for our concert. After it was over, we were served refreshments; then, started on our way back. It was very late when we ar- rived home, and we were a very sleepy group, but the trip was worth it. We hope to go to Oshawa and then to Port Hope before our year is over. Besides going out to sing we have also taken part in school projects such as our Christmas Festival, the Okticlos Concert and Graduation. Our success is due to Dr. Osborne who has so ably directed us and made our event- ful year possible. Mollie Millar