United College Collegiate - Tric Tics Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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Congratulations Luck GRADUATES ' Nutrition is our Business” SWIFT CANADIAN COMPANY LIMITED Page Thirteen

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tade XI V iCecUctmty Mr. Chairman, Honored Guests, Members of the Faculty, Fel¬ low Students, Ladies and Gentlemen: E ACH year the valeditorians claim the distinction of speaking on behalf of the finest class ever to graduate and this year is certainly no exception. In my mind there is no doubt that the Grade XI class of 1965 is one of the most remarkable in the history of the college. Recently, in a speech entitled “If I Had My Way”, I outlined some innovations which apparently appealed to these eager students (thirsting for knowledge). I suggested that the examination pass mark be raised at least to seventy-five per cent. These zealous students agreed that this was reasonable and easily attainable. I recommended that the young ladies should be segregated from the young gentlemen to create an atmosphere more conducive to serious study¬ ing. These sober students again heartily concurred. But the proposal which was received with the greatest enthusiasm was the idea that the school day should be extended, with classes beginning at seven o’clock in the morning and reluctantly terminating at five in the evening, including Saturdays. I understand that this also appealed to the faculty. This will give those assembled here tonight an insight into the character and calibre of the 1954-55 graduating class. And herein lies perhaps the honour of my being chosen to represent this class at the culmination of a year of scholastic effort. But, in a more serious vein, I would like to express, in all sincerity, my thanks to my class for having accorded me the privilege of speaking to you tonight on their behalf. I am humbly aware that I have received the highest honour which can be bestowed by one’s fellow students, and I am indeed very proud to have been chosen by them as their representative. In most schools the graduating students achieve a sense of unity through several years of working and learning together. I think it says a great deal for the spirit of this Collegiate that we have achieved that sense of solidarity in just one term. Throughout this year personalities have merged, without individuali¬ ties becoming submerged, both in our social activities and in the classroom, and all our efforts have united to maintain the traditions of high scholarship through individual enterprise with which the name of United College is associated. As I think back to the beginning of this term, I remember seeing what appeared, at that time, to be a teeming mass tumbling through the portals of this old college. I then became aware that we, as a group, represented a cosmopolitan cross-section of society. Our backgrounds and our racial and cultural heri¬ tages were different, but before long we shared a common bond, that of being citizens of United College. Within a few months we recognized the value of the liberal education which we were receiving, as our horizons were extended beyond our own limited boundaries. Those of us who have been enrolled at United during this, Dr. Graham’s final year of service to the College, count it a privilege to have come under the influence of such a renowned scholar and teacher. For the tradition of Christian teaching, as exemplified by Dr. Graham, has found an echo in the spirit of the whole faculty. Perhaps no other educational institution exists which has the welfare and interests of the individual student so who lly at heart, and which emphasizes so much the worth of the individual. We individually are deeply appreciate of this interest. There is an enviable relationship between die staff and the students here which sets this institution apart from others. The informal lectures in the classroom are provocative and stimulating and encourage the students to think for themselves. The students respond to this recognition of their growing feeling of maturity, and thereby develop in character. 1 think that Dean Halstead has often explained that one of the reasons why this personal interest pre¬ dominates among the staff is because all the members of the College Faculty are graduates of United College. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for their seemingly inexhaustible patience and their devotion to our best interests. They give unstintingly of their time and they are always ready to offer encourage¬ ment and advice regarding our i mmediate or future activities. For example, there is the often repeated forecast of weather conditions which will prevail during the month of August. “It is surprising how fast the sound of the teacher’s voice travels When it is eighty-six degrees in the classroom . . .” And if sometime in the future I come upon the remarkable spectacle of an eminent citizen standing “. . . in vacant or in pensive mood . . .”, I shall be inclined to think, ah, this is the result of those heartfelt pleadings to “. . . think, class, think.” And not least among the people who have shared in making this a successful year are our parents, guardians and friends. Their material sacrifices and moral support have enabled us to enjoy this year, and we thank them very sincerely for the opportuni¬ ties which this year at United has afforded us. Undoubtedly there has been times when our thoughts have been to the contrary, but I think that we will all acknowledge that this has been a momen¬ tous year for each of us and another milestone along the road to worthwhile citizenship and public service in a country which is assuming a unique place among nations. (Continued on page 31) Page Twelve

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(fauU XII ' l cdedtcfo’Uf Mr. Chairman, Honored Guests, Dr. Graham, Members of the Faculty, Ladies and Gentle¬ men, Fellow Students: , like many students all over Canada who are graduating this year, are saying goodbye to our childhood schooldays. We have been like a bird, sheltered and guided through our childhood by the love and understanding of our parents. They have taught us honesty, respect and obedience, all vital qualities amongst men. We have been taught how to work and live in harmony with other people in this corrupt world of today, and this individual harmony will help to promote world peace. We are deeply grateful to our parents for the wonderful preparations and sacrifices that they have so freely made, that we may ' be able to stand here today and receive our diplomas. Now we are ready to proceed alone. The flight will be rough and tedious at times, and we must ' be ready to weather many storms before the sky is clear. Without the encourage¬ ment and guidance of our parents, our first flight would be dangerous. Graduation is to us like the flight of a bird. We anticipate disappointment and are somewhat leery of the trip ahead, but a natural progressive instinct draws us from our nests into a new world full of opportunities. Canada is just such a “New World”. She is a country of endless opportunities and a land whose potentialities are only now being recognized, a land whose resources of oils and minerals are only now being evaluated. It is these resources, which are so freely offered to other nations not so fortunate, that will give our generation, and those who come after us, the privilege and yet the great responsibility of leading Canada to greater prosperity. This leader¬ ship in world affairs, which seems to be Canada’s destiny, is undoubtedly the result of the willingness of the Canadian people to live and work in harmony with people of all races and creeds. They ask for nothing as a nation that they will not offer to others, and they are freely offering to work with backward nations without hope of personal gain, in the belief that this is God’s way of life. We demand only that our privileges of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to choose our own work and way of life, be left with us, and so long as we retain the true spirit of democracy within us, we will have no fear. Regarding Canada as a nation, we cannot but realize that what we have and enjoy now is greatly attributable to the men and women, who, as pro¬ fessors, lecturers and teachers, have devoted so much of their lives to the education of an often unwilling Looking backward, we cannot praise each indi¬ vidual teacher enough for his assistance. They have helped us mold our character, and their eagerness has been an inspiration to us to seek higher and better things. To these teachers who have devoted even their spare time for our advancement, in spite of our neglected homework and often half-hearted co¬ operation, goes our deepest gratitude. Without this guidance we would have fluttered and fallen on our first flight. We shall never forget the wonderful school spirit, and the enthusiasm in all events, which we experi¬ enced in our last year at Collegiate in United College. We have enjoyed participating in the sports and in the students’ organization. We shall always remember the long corridors through which we strolled every day, and the many stairs down which we raced at the end of every class. Toni’s was our second home— a place of laughter and ear-splitting noise, as new friends joined in happy conversation. We are leaving behind many friendships formed this past year and it greatly saddens us to do so. We have associated closely with people of different races and creeds, and have truly learned the value of friendship. We are also bidding farewell to Principal Graham, who is leaving the College after many years of devoted service, and express most sincerely the thanks and appreciation of this graduating class. He has been respected and admired by the students, past and present, and I would like to extend, on their behalf, a most earnest wish for a long and happy period of rest and relaxation. To his successor, Dr. Lockhart, we give a most cordial welcome and an assurance of co-operation in his daily work. In concluding, I would like to thank the students of this graduating class for choosing me to give this farewell speech on their behalf. I wish them every success in their future flight and, with God’s help, I know they will succeed. CAROL LONGLEY Page Fourteen