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

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STORM AT SEA Captain James Mercer, the ancient sailor, knew more about the sea, its subtle moods and vile distempers, than any living person. The windswept clouds that filled the sky recalled to him the many trials and anxieties that fall before a captain at sea. Now his son Jimmy was out there in the storm with the lives of his crew 1'esting on his shoulders. The sweeping winds gathered the water into massive walls of terror, and the very heavens lit up and showed their lurid anger. Under the curtain of night, the murmurs and prayers of the little fishing town could be heard, asking for the safe return of Jimmy's vessel. After the storm calmed, but in anticipation of more violent weather, the older men of the village began to prepare the ropes with which to secure the small boat upon its return. The aged arm of Captain Mercer steadied the dock with hammer and nail, as he remembered when he too had been in the same situation as those on the ship. Experience, if not brawn, guided these hopeful villagers to consume time, as it lay heavily on their hands. They were fearful of the storm, but the old captain reassured them by telling many tales about wfhait he called the good days of the sea . All was in readiness, but the fate of the fishing boat lay in the hands of their Maker. The following morning, hope was renewed as a tiny vessel was spotted on fthe horizon. As it came nearer, it was recognized as Jim- my's boat. Frantic cries from shore welcomed young Mercer and his crew. He had ia poor catchg nevertheless, the men were alive and well. After a hearty meal and a brief rest, Jimmy was aided by the entire village in cleaning the fish. The price for the catch was meagre, but they prepared for the next voyage with renewed enthusiasm and vigour. These courageous heroes will continue to persevere against man's greatest challenge and the earth's least known element . . . the sea! ' Judy Zwicker, 9:3:4. NATURE IN AN ANGRY MOOD Soon the wind began to whistle. An omi- nous drama was about to be performed on the desert, with Dame Nature playing the leading role. The air was heavy and a stillness reigned - a foreboding silence that was a prelude to the wild outburst that was yet to come. All desert creatures, great and small, seemed by one accord to sense the oncoming storm. Gigantic moisture-laden clouds gathered like an a.ttacking army above the horizon. The wind, eager to enact its vigorous part, added its ever-rising voice to the tempest, and even- tually ascended to an ever-higher pitch, cul- minating in an ear-splitting shriek. The lead- coloured heavens were rent by long criss-cross- ing flashes of lightning - great tongues of greenish blue fire that seemed to lick their way across the sky. Sagebrush and other plants were torn away from the earth and sent scuttling across the sand. The rain, not to be outdone, descended in a heavy downpour like a great silvery sheet. All nature cowered before the onslaught. Then, as rapidly as it had begun, the storm subsided, and the raging forces of nature with- drew. The sun soon burst forth to occupy its rightful place and warm the stricken earth with rays that covered the desert like a bene- diction. All again was serene. The Sheila Bartmann, 9:3:1. WINTER ONCE AGAIN snow is gently falling down, Covering in glory our little town. The Tlhe church bells are ringing, children are singing. 'Tis Winter once again. The ebony sky is studded with stars, The snow is drifting against the cars. The tall evergreens begin to sway, The weary iworkers make homeward their way 'Tis Winter once again. The evenings now are brisk and cold, The wind blows through the trees like gold The stars from the sky seem to sprinkle Upon the earth a slight bluish twinkle. 'Tis Winter once again. Margaret Hird, 9 13 ..,. -i LX KO 'Z -X. - gi ' -G .xl I 1T '7Z I 1-. 4 . ' W7 X ,I+ 3-ff-1 -K. .'I5'fX ' J .f-Kyiv- ' 3-rn: !ggz:xxi --7, Ii .' Lg b- K , T .Q- A A 4 'ff 3 6

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THE LAKE ON AN AUGUST EVENING SPRING WOODLANDS Beside the crystal babbling stream O'er which the merry zephers plan, The first forget-me-nots in May Are clustered in the sunlight's beam. From high above the waters clear, Yes, higher than the lacy trees, Whose leaflets flutter in the breeze The robin's song floats 'to our ear. While through the woods the fawn doth roam, He stops to paw the tall green leaves That hide sweet lily-bells, then wields Bright buttercups from their grassy home. Mary Wright, 92315. THE .IOYS OF A HIKE Now, the joys of ia hike are chiefly lthese - Wandering in among the trees, Watching the squirrels and chipmunks play, Having fun whenever they may, The falling leaves of many colours, Falling, falling in great numbers, Pretty flowers in their beds In gowns of blues, yellows and reds. Rushing streams and bubbling brooks, Which are often visualized in many books. Yes, the joys of a hike are chiefly these - The animals, flowers, leaves and trees. Elizabeth Hurley, 9:3:3. During an evening in August, the lake is a very quiet, yet beautiful scene. Once the sun has cast its last rays on the water, the latter becomes a quiet, undisturbed body. Possibly, now and then, a fish with its jump will dis- solve this quiet sequence, and perhaps even a motor boat will create a momentary lapse in the silence of the water. Now the moonlight reflects off the dark lake, creating a dazzling channel of golden brilliance. Usually, there is a faint breeze which creates just enough power to cause trivial ripples on the surface and to stir the reeds slightly. Gradually, the lake becomes so tranquil that only mosquitoes with their buzzing can be heard close to the water's edge. Near the shore, the moon casts shadows of trees over the water. The whole lake becomes a place of dark and quiet beauty. Yes, the lake on an August evening is a very beautiful phenomenon. David Lee, 9:3:3. TRIBUTE TO A MOUNTAIN The mountain stparkled in the sunshine. The snow-capped peak glistened as though it were made of precious diamonds. From the top of the majestic mountain a rushing stream dashed against the stern grey boulders along its shores and churned angrily over the jagged rocks imbedded in its stony bed as though it were trying to tear them out, then, as if it had burst through a dam, it cascaded headlong over a high cliff into a deep, dark blue pool at the foot of the towering cliff. A rich, thick, emerald green forest sank its roots deeply into the nourishing mountain soil. Beyond the boundaries of the forest only rug- ged, scrawny mountain pines were able to cling and survive. This magnificent mountain pre- sented a picture of massive strength and true beauty in the early morning sun. Laimonis Bergs, 9:3 21. PARADISE IN THE SKY The evening is born as the sun sets over the Rockies. When the flaming, self-luminous orb slowly creeps away, the neighbouring clouds are set ablaze with the brilliance of red and gold. The snow that caps these majestic mountains is seen almost melting. But is saved as the sun turns its force unto the new- ly appearing moon, christening it as the keeper of the evening and then of the night. As the moon realizes her duties, she calls upon the stars to help her lighten the darkened world. First one, then anotherg they seem to all have arrived, adding their bit of glory to the night. The night is confirmed as the last little animal heads for home and junior is tucked snugly into bed. Linda Locke, 9 23 :3. K' --ii WI f fm-J A A FX f ,N iq , f T.. If jf

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A WINTER MORNING A new day had just begun. The earth was still, carpeted in a soft, glistening blanket of snow. Trees swayed majestically in the breeze, raising their bare branches towards fthe clear, azure sky. Below them lay a brook, dormant until the Spirit of Spring would release the heavy ice which now lay over it. Little grey-brown birds bobbed about in the snow, chattering to one another, and lthen flew away. There was a satisfying silence as the large, buoyant snowflakes peacefully fluttered downward through the stillness. The silence was then broken by a child's laughter ringing over the landscape, but finstead of shattering the perfect ipeace of the 'place it only added -to its loveliness. Then silence returned once more. The lines of a poem came to my mind, and through the stillness I softly whispered: God's in His heaven. All's right with the World. Donna Sparks, 9:3 :5. .Ein '- Ei lumuu. A BOYS' SPORTS Looking back at the history of Westdale, the siports were not so extensive and widely played as today. The reason for this is because the physical education teachers of Westdale got together to form today's physical education plan. This plan was introduced to Westdale stu- dents so that wthey could have an all-year-round active course. So far, this plan has proved to be successful by keeping the boys in top physical shape. Part of the plan is to organize inter- scholastic competition and extra-curricular ac- tivities, making the boys more interested. So far, two championships have been played. The basketball championship was won by 9:3:9, and the volleyball championship by the same team. Their interscholasic championshiips will keeip on goiivf. thanks to this well-balanced plan and the people that helped to create it. George Mintsioulis, 9:3:3. f 1-. N? ' I ly Z fi - r'f,-rg' ix G? X L 'Xi 5 X ei--F. F x ' -i is ip ,-Zf 'r'S -, gf . X NX X -X x -N u P - Q gi X I -V--33 X 'D' ,Inf Z' , 5 'lxli 0 'C f ' W ' f M ,7 ,s. f 9 --i-'I G,? ' 'SY GIRLS, SPORTS I would like 'to congratulate the following members of the grade nine girls' all-star basketball team, who went on to capture the city championship: Gail Abraham, Barb An- derson, Donna Devier, Judy Hammill, Leeny de Vos, Bev Fisher, Ingrid Kuhn, Virginia Somer- ville, Louise Smith and Joan Tapley. They were all good representatives for our school. In grade nine inter-class basketball, 9:3:2 defeated 91319 to win the championship. The volleyball eliminations are still in progress. Our all-star volleyball team, which promises to be a good one, has been chosen and is now entering the interscholastic league. All those involved in teams showed good sportsmanshipg let's keep this up! Cheryl Blunt, 91311. K i' T i lf, W My fi of Q if M Vi!