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

Page 7 text:

A DEDICATION OUR CHIEF The worth of a chieftain is not measured by the number of vassals or by the breadth of his domain; nor is it measured by the strut of his stride or by the crispness of his command, but rather by the depth of his wisdom and by his dedication to his duty. The true chieftain has as his concern the welfare of his people and the co-ordination of his community. He must be at once the kindly father and the friendly brother. Even the meanest in his flock must feel free to come to him to seek help, encouragement and justice. Yet underneath his calm and placid surface there must be, like our Saskatchewan, something of the fibre of the stern undertow. Mr. McFarland, as, in front of your students and your staff, you were crowned with the head-dress of a chief of the Red Men, it was more than mere fun. Everyone present realized that you are and have been, indeed, the worthy chief. The things we would like to say are hard to say. Treacle spread thickly is sticky. However, now that the long trail is running out and the day of graduation draws nigh for the students of the Class ' 61, we assure you that you graduate with them and with the highest honors. And so, Sir, we salute you. We are sure that fresh trails will open before you and Mrs. McFarland and that you will find these trails rich in experience and service. We assure you, Sir, that this book and the picture of our chief will mean much to many through the years to come, and that the warmth of your personality will be matched by the warmth of the memories of those who will proudly say, as many do today, I went to Vic . —STAFF AND STUDENTS. 3

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Principal ' s Message Now that I have eventually reached my graduation year, I deem it an extra-special privilege to address a few remarks to the other members of the class of ' 61. To go away back, I may observe that I came to Vic about the same time you young people came into this world. Even though that is eighteen years ago, I can still recall the thrill I experienced when I was notified by the School Board to report to Victoria High in September to teach chemistry. Needless to say, I was filled with an awe approaching fear at the prospect of coming here. During the first few years I had all of the chemistry myself; but as the department grew, I was joined by Mr. W. R. Stewart, now principal of one of our main feeder schools, Spruce Avenue. I was never happier than when roaming back and forth behind that long, black demon¬ stration bench in the chemistry room—the room located upstairs in the south-east corner of the Red Building which was the original Vic . The chemistry students and I were happy in our work; but not always so were Mr. D. L. Shortliffe and his algebra students in Room 5 directly below us. Since our water pipes were old and leaky and the ceiling of Room 5 was everything but water¬ proof, the hapless victims in the algebra classes were periodically showered when we performed a laboratory experiment over their heads. I often wish that I had kept some of the notes I received from Mr. Shortliffe during these chemistry monsoons . I like to look back over these past years and recall the names of former Vic students who have made headlines for themselves in various worthwhile fields of endeavour. I could make quite a list of such noted personages; but since most of you did not know them as students, I shall not mention their names here. I shall be content to bask in the sunshine of their glory , a reward which any dedicated teacher prizes most highly. And now, a word of advice, since this is the last chance I shall have, as the chief of this great school, to share a few words of wisdom with a group of young people who, this summer, will be leaving school and embarking on some course which we hope will lead to a happy and rewarding future. Whatever you choose to make your life work, put your whole heart and soul into it, and think more of the satisfaction you will experience from a job well done than from the material gain you will acquire. All that you do, Do with your might. Things done by halves are never done right. The following little poem written in words more apt than I can muster, is well worth read¬ ing carefully—and digesting: Somebody did a golden deed; Somebody proved a friend in need; Somebody sang a beautiful song; Somebody smiled the whole day long; Somebody thought, Tis sweet to live 1 ; Somebody said, ' I ' m glad to give ' ; Somebody fought a valiant fight; Somebody lived to shield the right; WAS THAT SOMEBODY YOU? May God bless each and every one of you; and may it be said of you as it was of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul ' s Cathedral: If you require a monument, look around 11 you. 5