Victoria High School - Victorian Yearbook (Edmonton, Alberta Canada)

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VALEDICTORY RON DOWNEY Tonight we meet under the most delightful circumstances, tinged perhaps with just a touch of sadness. We are a group of students who have been on the most friendly terms for the past three or four years. This is the last opportunity we shall have to meet as students, and it may well be the last occasion at which all of us will be present. That is a sad thought. Three years ago we entered Victoria. A little nervous, ' tis true, and somewhat doubtful about our immediate outlook as students. We acquired confidence, and appeared to have taken several necessary and important steps toward a successful future. The benefits we have gained are two-fold. We have secured the education for which we sought admission, and a training that will stand us in good stead throughout life. We have received another group of benefits, not so obvious perhaps, but nevertheless of tremendous importance and influence upon our career. I refer to such things as the ability to get along with one another; to understand better the word sportsmanship ; to have clearer appreciation of the rewards of perseverence and application and a great many other intangibles. Those of us who, perhaps a little skeptically, maybe a little cynically, entered this school three years ago, have learned today that there is regard for effort, and that only real effort produces a genuine reward. We begin to see what Longfellow meant when he wrote: The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight. But they, while their companions slept. Were toiling upward in the night. Perhaps we haven ' t achieved so much, but whatever we have done has been with the help of our teachers. So at this time, I say we owe our thanks to those who have played such an important part in our individual success. I refer, of course to our principal, Mr. Hicks, the administrative staff, and the entire staff. It is their guidance and understanding of our problems that enables us to be present tonight. I know that I speak for the graduating class as well, when I say, Thank you. And now, a word as to the future. We face it with optimism, courage, and determina¬ tion. Our ambitions will undoubtedly take us far afield, but wherever we may be we shall profit by the influence of the principles and precepts acquired during our association with V.C.H.S. Friends, may I just close with this thought? We leave tonight but our places will shortly be filled by others just as eager, anxious, and determined to succeed. It is our sincere wish that all the delightful and valuable experiences which have been ours, will, in due course, be theirs. When their time comes may they be as sorry to leave as we are this evening. 18

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KAY PINCHBECK JOHN KONDROSKY ARDIS DAHL Cfrad Glass Executive OLGA MENDRYK MARIA SPORLEDER VERNA YOUNG