Westdale Secondary School - Le Raconteur Yearbook (Hamilton, Ontario Canada)

Page 24 text:

Grade IX Section INGRID KUHM, Grade IX Eclitor. WESTDALE Of all the schools in Hamilton, There's none that can compare With one who's glory tops the rest By far, with fame to spare. Of course you know the one I mean, That you cannot deny, For it could be none other than Our school, great Westdale High, Her fame's been raised by all the kids Who care enough to try, And make our school's love and fame Go soaring to the sky. So now you know why we are proud To wear the green and goldg And in our hearts there'll always be Mem.ories of old .... Karen King, 9:3:1. FOREST FIRE It was a lovely summer afternoon in North- ern Ontario. The sun shone brightly from a cloudless sky onto green forests, a clear blue lake and splashing stream. Everything was peaceful except for the crying of sea gulls as they winged their way over the water. Occasionally a mother deer and her spotted fawn came down to the stream to drink the cool water, while squirrels playfully chased each other in the high branches of itrees. Everytlhing was happy and at peace, but soon the forest would be a scene of panic. No one knew exactly how the fire started, although it must have been by a careless camper who had left his campfire when it wasn't completely out, or had thrown a lighted cigarette or match about. However, the fire did start, growing rapidly as it swept through the forest. It was first detected by the forest ranger in his tower. Immediately, firemen and volunteers were despatched. But they had a long way to go, and the fire was not waiting for there.. Meanw ile, animals ran about iheliplessly as their lairs -vere destroyed by the raging fire. Some tried to swim to safer land, but most were trapped by the fierce flames. It took days to extinguish the fire. When it was over, the sun still shone from a cloud- less sky. However, instead of green forests, all that remained were the charred stumps of once stately trees. Animals no longer came to the stream to drink . . . and never Would again! This scene of destruction was caused by one careless person! Incog. A CITY Besides a city's beauty spots, there are al- ways those not so nice - the ones little talked about. These are -the overcrowded, under- nourished sections, the dingy little houses, overpacked apartment buildings lining both sides of the narrow streets. Not far from these are the factories, pouring out their black billowing smoke, blanketing the neighbourhood with dirt, grit and grime. There is no getting away from it. Filth is everywhere. People are born into it, live in it and die in it. There is no escape. Sun rises and sun sets, but life carries on as usual. On clear days life is more pleasant - the sun adding a little brightness to the dull surroundings. Cloudy days bring a different outlook. The days are dim, the air is filled continuously with unpleasant odours. As evening settles down, so does the smog. To be out at night is unbearable. Vision is poor, the air is choking, smothering, giving the feeling that the World is closing in on you. Only morning can bring relief. This life is more than unpleasant, nearly unbearable. There is no future in this life. Yesterday runs into today, today into tomorrow. This is not life as we know it, just an existence. Life is better than existenceg existence is better than death. This existence is one stop from the end of the road. Ross Wilson.

Page 23 text:

ff' W 5 21

Page 25 text:

Then instantly the edge of the door came WOMAN INTO SPACE Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Those were the I lay still for a opened and my speed at which outer space. last words I could rem.ember. moment while my eyes slowly body accustomed itself to the I was being whirled through Cautiously I unbuckled my safety belt, and shakily made my way towards the radio set. As I picked up the receiver, thoughts rushed through my head and, for the first time since my journey started did I realize I was the First Woman Into Space . After contacting my officials on earth, I got underway with the task of surveying the ship in the right direc- tion, and, preparing to land on the moon. It had been three days now since I had been orbited into space, and by looking at my m.e- chanical controls, which consisted of rows and rows of buttons, I realized I was nearing the moon. Carefully, I slipped -into my specially made space suit which, although a little tight, had taken Miss Price a great deal of time to make. Weary of the days' journey, I fell asleep in no time. On awakening, I felt a funny feeling inside me. Sensing that something was wrong, I dashed towards the chart which showed my course of direction. As I stared at the dials, a streak of fear clutched meg the ship was far off course and, as if by some strange strength, it was being pulled farther and farther away from the moon. I felt dizzy and, as I reached for the switchboard, the buttons seemed 'to come together, forming a huge black mass. I pushed this button, and that button, in fact, I think I pushed every button. Oh! Irene, I thought angrily to myself. Why hadn't I listened to Mr. Fen-ton while he taught us about Longitude and Latitude, and I wouldn't have been in this mess! The ship seemed to go faster and faster even after I had pushed every button, pulled every switch, and said every prayer. Then, within a few moments, I felt a sort of trance come over me and, as if by some magnet, I was being pulled towards the door of the space ship. I struggled, but in vain. Still the unseen force pulled m.e towards the door. Then, as though seeing the coffin of a dead man open, the space ship door slid gracefully open, allowing loneliness to creep round about me. Mercifully I screamed. I was terror-strick- en. My face felt hot and clammy, and my heart beat 20 times faster than usual. Above all my fears, I heard a voice laughing at me. Yes, that's who it is, I thought to myself. Mr, Holdsworth! I warned you, he said, that you had no ability to become a space-woman, but you still went ahead and became one! Now, when death felt so near, he laughed scornfully with revenge. Every step that I was being forced to take felt colder and nearer to death. in view, and within a few seconds I was fall- ing-falling endlessly into nowhere. I screamed helplessly, my body perspired profusely. I flung my hands about this way and that, des- perately trying to grasp anything that might float by. Then, like a breath of fresh air, my eyes slowly opened. Oh! How welcomingly pretty my bedroom seemed. Quickly I jumped out of bed, to find my knees buckling under me, and witfhouit any warning I was out flat on my back. Regaining my balance, I laughed silently to myself. How stupid of me, expecting to be as steady on my feet as before, after a trip to outer space. Irene Lindsay, 9:3:4. FOOTBALL TIME At 8:30 a.m., most of the students are seated behind their desks, 'patiently waiting to begin. As usual, tihe late arrivals come in with an Am I late ? expression on their freshly scrub- bed faces. All is well . . . it's a football day! Saun- tering down the corridors to science or math. class, the Westdaleites are eagerly awaiting the 1:00 o'clock bell of dismissal. Around 12:00, a few starving students can be found nibbling an apple, candy bar or sandwich fin between classes, of coursel. Finally, the bell rings and the students rush home for a hurried lunch and, for the girls, a quick change into slacks. With green and gold ribbons streaming behind in the wind, the Westdaleites head for the bleachers on the side of the field. They fill rapidly with West- dale students and the opposing te.am's fans. The teams come onto the field with fboos and clheers from the bleachers of students. The Westdale cheerleaders, in their outfits of green and gold, lead the Westdaleites in their cheers for their team. Only after the supporters a1'e hoarse with cheering for their winning team, the last touchdown made, and the last .pass completed, do the students leave the bleachers and trudge home, talking over the events of the game. A winning game is a topic of many conver- sation for days after. Joan Morrison. 9:3 :3.