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

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Valedicfory Address Commencement 1961 RICHARD HORNE, Valedictorian. Mr. Chairman, Honoured Guests, Colonel McQueen, Ladies and Gentlemen: Tonight, November 10th, 1961, a date in the lives of us, the graduating students, that will long be remembered, it is my privilege and honour to give the Valedictory address. What does Valedictorian mean? According to the National Dictionary, it means one who pro- nounces a farewell address. Valedictory, an- nother word derived from Valedictorian and from the same source, means bidding farewell. In my opinion, and I am sure in the minds of my fellow graduates, it is only a physical fare- well. The emotions of Westdale will burn within us for many years to come, the memories of our teachers and the friends we have made, the thrill and excitement of the many interests and activi- ties here will be in the back of our minds for a long time. During the Twentieth Century, we have seen perfection in the aircraft, the probing of space by rockets and satellites, and we are seeing per- haps the threshold of another war. However, we should not despair because of this overhanging crisis but look up and face each problem as it confronts us. We must try our utmost to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently, as did our predecessors. It is true, our fields will be varied and our paths separated, but from machinists and drafts- men, to doctors and lawyers, each man must do his small part and carve his markings in this vast world of ours. A man once referred to education as a series of plateaus with steps leading to each. The plateaus become successively larger as we progress through school. Each plateau has smaller sets of steps leading from them, so if we had chosen to cease schooling at one particular level, these were referred to as promotions. The higher levels are what we should aim for and try to achieve. Education in this day and age must be stressed. Even radio station disc jockeys are driving home this important fact, and those of us who have the ability should and must continue on up the steps. If we stop at a lower plateau, we must make the best of what we have so far learned and strive for the promotions and success. It is true, success does not depend on schooling alone. If it did many of the world's great men and women would be unknown today. Sir Win- ston Churchill failed his entrance exams for Sandhurst three times! But all accomplished people are curious people, hungry readers who have learned how to enjoy learning. Statistics indicate that the experts are avail- able but there is a serious shortage of inperts. An inpert, Lmlike an expert, hasn't been tamed and trained, nor has he been taught how it is done. Thomas Edison once hired an expert, a graduate of the best engineering school. The first job Edison gave him was to determine the cubic contents of a light bulb. The expert measured the bulb wherever he thought it needed measur- ing, then sat down with his slide rule, his educa- tion and a batch of pencils. Hours later he came to Edison with his proud result. The inventor looked at the figures and shook his head. You're at least ten percent offf' he said. He then knocked a tiny hole in the end of the bulb, filled it with water, poured the water into a measuring cup and in two minutes had an exact measurement of the bulbis cubic content. The expert was ten percent off. Yes, schooling is not everything, we have to combine our training with good common sense, a yearning to learn and ambition to carry us through. Education is a continuing process that goes on long after school days are over, but it is at school that the real spadework is done and the founda- tion is laid. School provides three essentials - knowledge, judgment and discipline - each of which is as important to the mature person as training or experience. Thanks must go to many people for our being here tonight, to our parents who have helped to make it possible, and to our teachers who have patiently borne with us during our years at West- dale. Not only have we been taught the com- mpulsory subjects, but also consideration for others and how to live and work and enjoy the company of our fellow man. We again thank you for your patient and unselfish guidance. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, this occasion of Commencement is indeed a special one, and rightly named, commence meaning to begin, for many new horizons are now opened unto us. In closing, I would like to quote a small prayer, that to me seems fitting: Dear God, give me the strength to live courageously, to defend what's right, to stand fast in the presence of fear, to bear the pain, the loss, the despair that, at time are the common lot of all, to endure when there seems no way out, no way on. Let me accept with both hands whatever comes, be it bright or dark. Win or lose in any of life's struggles, my God, give me courage.

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The Triune Student Council FROM THE PRESIDENT Every event in which we participate is blessed by the pulse, the throb, the ineffable human joy of life. Each happening is consecrated if people are involved. And yet, each experience is of the moment. Yesterday is no longer of equal merit with today, tomorrow may never be. The student government is, as I write, still functioning: it throbsg it pulses, it lives. Yester day it did not exist, nor will it tomorrow. No government was its equal, nor will any ever sur- pass its achievements. For, every new generation is the only one that ever occupied a location in time and space, there is nothing to compare it to, there are no standards by which to value it - only the superlatives of sanctity: life and therefore joy and happiness. Soon the Tritme of '61-'62 will be nothing but a dusty book of minutes on the dusty shelf of years past - a fossil of human experience. Joy cannot dwell in the past, nor happiness nor beauty - nor life which is all three. And so I will report nothing of the Triune's enactments, stands, rivalries, policies, disappoint- ments, achievements . . . no, nothing of these, nothing except the Triune LIVED. I can say no more. Randy McLeod, President of the Triune Student Council, 1961-1962. TRIUNE PRESIDENT Since the Triune was first begun, Westdale students have chosen many fine presidents for it - presidents who have been not only capable and worthy of the position, but also active and interested in school affairs. This year is no ex- ception. They chose Randy McLeod. ,Randy's capability is certainly emphasized by the fact that his every year in Westdale has pro- duced honour marks. In Grade 12 he was picked as one of 28 students from the whole of Hamilton to attend the Board of Education seminars. In this year as well, he was a member of the Student Council, gaining experience later to prove in- valuable. In school activities, particularly athletics, our president has also shone. In Grades 10 and 13 he was on the volleyball team, in Grade 11 and 12 he played basketball. His achievements in track are outstanding, last year he won the half- mile high school city senior championship. He still runs regularly. Because of an injury which made necessary his wearing of a cumbersome cast for several weeks, Randy's athletic work in Grade 13 had to be considerably lightened. His school activity extends beyond sports. The leading male part in last year's play, Our Town , was taken by him. At home he finds extreme pleasure in playing the piano and just reading a good book. Randy is as yet Lmdecided upon a career, but has seriously considered entering an Honours English and Literature course in university. What then? Perhaps writing, perhaps teaching . . . In whatever he endeavours our President is sure to succeed. OUR VICE-PRESIDENT My first few days at Westdale were enhanced and illuminated by the charming, ever-smiling future Vice-President of the Triune, Sally Birk- ett. Sally's career in Westdale began in Grade 9 when she participated in the choir and debating club. Although she remained inactive in extra- curricular activities during, -Grade 10, Sally re- turned with a bang in Grade 11 as class repre- sentative for 11G1 and clubs and social editor for Le Raconteurn. Now, as a mighty senior in Grade 12, she is Vice-President of the Triune, and an indispensable assistant editor for Le Raconteur . Sally's interests are many and varied but closest to her heart is music. Therefore, she has decided to specialize in music when she graduates from university Cindulging in a bit of writing on the sidel. English and Algebra constitute her favourite scholastic interests. Nevertheless she insists that in preference to all others, a career as a housewife and mother pleases her most Cisnft that just like a girl!D This all-round girl teaches Sunday School every week and is an active member of the Theta Kappa Sigma Sorority, Iota Chapter. Unfortun- nately for Westdale, but happily for Sally, this first-class honour student has been accepted at Neuchatell, a boarding school in Switzerland, where she will study her Grade 13 subjects. She certainly will be missed here at Westdale. Bon Voyage, Sally! Sylvia Rotman, 12G1.

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Summa Cum Laude 1961 HI SUMMA CUM LAUDE ADFUERUNT These graduated with the highest distinction Carved in gold letters on the marble Wain- scoting of the main entrance to the school, are the names of Westdale's distinguished graduates. Each one has fulfilled the stiff requirements. A student must complete the final year of his course with an average of 81 per cent or better Academic achievement is the sole criterion ex- cept in the case of the three general proficiency winners. In their case extra-curricular activi- ties are also taken into account. Westdale is proud of these graduates, of whom it may fittingly be said that, from our halls they departed trailing clouds of gloryu. Gordon Bolegoh Harry Duckworth Linda Gough William Kay Stewart Kramer John Price Evelyn Roden Tonu Saidla Margaret Shepherd SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS Open Scholarships ONTARIO SCHOLARSHIP , . ,,,.... ,...., H arry Duckworth, William Kay, Evelyn Roden, Tonu Saidla, Margaret Shepherd THE GIBSON REGIONAL CHAMILTONJ SCHOLARSHIP ,...,..,. ....,.. . . ,,.... . Evelyn Roden THE LAWRENCE MUNRO SCHOLARSHIP.. . .. . .. . .. . . . Kryn Dubbeldam BOARD OF EDUCATION PROFICIENCY AWARDS: Gordon Bolegoh, Douglas Brown, Nancy Coolsma, Leslie Eslary, Bernhard Kamutzki, Stewart Kramer, Carol Mandel, Anne Park, Rosemary Scott, Valerie Stacy, Katherine Temple. WESTDALE OLD GIRLS' ASSOCIATION PRIZE . .... . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. Ruth Thompson SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES OF HAMILTON AWARD . ..... Sharon Dowall THE STEEL COMPANY OF CANADA AWARDS .... .. Judith Patterson, Linda Gough THE NATIONAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AWARD . Linda Gough THE BRIDGE AND TANK CO. OF CANADA AWARD ....., ....., ................ . . . Stewart Kramer THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TOOL ENGINEERS AWARD .. . ....... Gordon Bolegoh THE TECHNICAL TROPHY . ..... ........... ..... . ..............,...... ............. ,........ ............. S t e W a rt Kramer THE TRIUNE PORFICIENCY AWARDS- John Price CGeneral Courseb, Linda Gough CCommercial Coursel, Stewart Kramer CTechnicalb