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

Page 16 text:

ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT 1966 Two commencement programmes were held on Friday, November 4th, 1966. The afternoon one was arranged for those students who left Westdale at the end of Grade 12 to take Grade 13 at the Hamilton Collegiate Institute. Laing Brown gaTe the valedictory address. The evening programme was carried on as usual for the presentation of the secondary school graduation diplomas and the secondary school honour graduation diplomas. Carol Ofield was the valedictorian. Awards were presented at both programmes. A graduation dance and buffet luncheon organized by the dance and entertainment com- mittee of the Triune Student Council marked the climax of the happy occasion. VALEDICTORY ADDRESSES Four or five years ago, we who are now graduates, gathered in this same auditorium. Most of us felt timid, perhaps afraid, not knowing what was lying ahead for us in our high school years. We came from different homes and different backgrounds but we all had one thing in common which bound us to- gether — we were beginning our life at West- dale Secondary School. And through the years this bond grew stronger. We shared the joys, the small triumphs, the feelings of satisfaction but we also shared the sorrows, the defeats and the feelings of frustration. We recall with fondness and sometimes sadness the events of our past years at Westdale — our first dance, our first formal, the bitterness of defeat when our juniors lost the 1964 football championship to Cathedral but the thrill of victory when they retaliated the next year and defeated the long-time champions. We remember the solemn times when we gathered in this auditorium — the Annual Christmas Pageants and in par- ticular the memorial service for Mr. George Chapman who passed away March 28, 1966 having made his contribution to humanity in his role as a devoted teacher. We remember too, the more lighthearted gatherings — the successful production of GOOD NEWS and the witty wisdom of Ann Landers. What an assembly that was! But I am sure that I speak for all the gradu- ates when I say that all our experiences at Westdale, whether they were pleasant or other- wise, and our associations with teachers and friends have helped us emerge from high school as stronger, more confident, more mature in- dividuals than the timid souls who first en- tered these halls. Throughout all our experiences, our teachers were patiently guiding us. We realize that often their task was difficult and that many times they must have felt frustrated. But they were always there to help us with our prob- lems — both academic and personal — and to give us the encouragement we needed. And That which I am about to say this afternoon is not said because formality necessitates, but in true sincerity. I know not whether this is a day of happi- ness, or a day of sorrow. As I stand before you today, I feel both. I feel the joys of success and the sorrows of nostalgia. The calendar assures us that it has been four years since first we entered upon the threshold of this high school. At that time, THIS afternoon was but a date in the dim, distant future. Graduation was a long way off; right at hand were new friends, new surround- ings and a challenge that would have to be met. Westdale was opened in 1930, a pioneer school which combined Commercial, Technical and Academic Education. Its challenge was to prove the benefits of a tri-programme school and to prepare its pupils for adulthood; men- tally, physically and emotionally. This requires more than just teachers. It requires inter- ested, dedicated, self-sacrificing teachers. We, the students, have been fortunate to have had such teachers. Everyone ' s memory contains at least one teacher who has unselfishly given his or her time to such things as the Triune, Le Raconteur, the athletic teams, drama club, the dances, the choir, or the other activities which were offered at our school. It has been said — A teacher affects eter- nity; he can never tell where his influence stops — The influence of our former principal will, I am sure, remain with all of us. Over the years, Mr. Bell has been an inspiration, a help and a greatly respected friend of us all. His interest encompassed all activities of the school. On numerous occasions during the past four years, we have seen our former Principal in the stands watching his teams. Often it was raining! Mr. Bell ' s recent retirement, after 36 years of association with this school, ends his official duties; however, his interest in the school continues. Just last week he was seen in the stands giving his support to the Green and Gold. 12

Page 15 text:

TRIUNE ADVISERS MR. J. C. COOPER Principal MRS. I. DRYSDALE MR. K. HODD MR. R. McVEAN MR. T. McCORD TRIUNE PRESIDENT ' S MESSAGE A school is only as good as its students and here at Westdale we are accustomed to being the best at anything and everything we try. This year ' s Le Raconteur is a fine example of our endeavours and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the editors of thie yearbook on a job well done. However the merit of a school can not be decided on one activity of a school cannot be decided on one activity alone but on many and once again Westdale is as well represented as any school in the city. For many of us this is our last year at West- dale and as we split up and go our separate ways I am sure we will not soon forget this grand old building. As for myself I ' ve had a great time this year, working closely with many fellow students and teachers on many projects and I also found for the first time what school spirit really means. As a final parting word I would like to wish you luck in any endeavour you may undertake and to encourage you to always reach for a higher goal because as a famous man once said: ' . ' What is tomorrow if you can achieve it todav? MR. A. MILDON MR. D. FERGUSON

Page 17 text:

so we have sincere gratitude in our hearts to- night for those who worked with such patience and diligence on our behalf. At the same time we must remember our parents who also gave us encouragement and whose love and guidance helped us through all our trials and disappoint- ments : from the hardest examination to the failure to make the football team, the basket- ball team or perhaps the cheerleading squad. To them also we extend our heartfelt thanks and I am sure that they share our joy tonight as we celebrate the successful completion of our high school days. This evening not only marks the conclusion of our relationships with Westdale but also marjts the end of the brilliant career of a man we have known and admired. Perhaps we could say that he is Westdale ' s most illustrious graduate, for Mr. J. W. Bell has been a part of Westdale since its beginning. As Mr. Bell enters a well-deserved retirement, our grateful- ness for his devotion, especially in the last four years that he has been our principal, and our best wishes for the future, go with him. Those who remain at Westdale will certainly miss him but they will find that the traditions of the school of the Green and Gold will be carried on by their new and capable principal, Mr. J. C. Cooper. That is, all the traditions but one. For we are the last grade 13 gradu- ating class to leave Westdale. It is our hope to uphold the high standards of those who went forth before us to leave their mark on the community and make their contribution to mankind. In the words of our school song, May we ever keep her colours free from blame For the Honour of our own Westdale. From tonight, our paths will diverge in many different directions as we go on into the busi- ness world or into a variety of higher insti- tutions of learning. But for this brief reunion we are together again as high school students for the last time. So let us make the best of tonight graduates, for this is our night and one which we will remember for a lifetime. As we go our separate ways, let us remem- ber these words by Ella Wheeler Wilcox: Don ' t look for the flaws as you go through life; And even when you find them. It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind And look for the virtue behind them; For the cloudiest night has a hint of light Somewhere in its shadows hiding; It ' s better by far to hunt for a star Than the spots on the sun abiding. This world will never adjust itself To suit your whims to the letter; Some things must go wrong your whole life long. And the sooner you know it the better. It is folly to fight with the Infinite, And go under at last in the wrestle. The wiser man shapes into God ' s plan As the water shapes into a vessel. Carol Ofield Let us think back over the past four years. They were good years. They were years about which we can now say — When I went to Westdale I remember . . . What do we re- member? Most all of us will remember the crowded Longwood door in our lunch hour — or the annual parade before the year ' s first — and last, football games. We will remember the many championship football games — always ending in sweat and fatigue — often ending in tears and frustration and the cry We ' ll get ' em next year. However, failure is not part of our Westdale tradition. Numerous championships have been won in such sports as hockey, volleyball, row- ing and track and field. Our dances will be remembered! Our formals, our stag or drag dances and our Sadie Hawkins — with the nervous, hesitant girl asking the fearful, blushing boy. We will not forget our plays and major productions. My favourite was Good News. Our basketball games were often close. The air was tingling with excitement and thunder- ing with the chants of Alia or Give us a W What have you got? - - - Westdale! Westdale school, Mr. Bell and his staff, having done their job, would now expect us to look to new horizons. We have successfully met the challenge of the past. We have completed Grade 12, but we have only run part of the race. Each indi- vidual will be allowed to determine its length. Here at estdale ,we have established a foundation firm in mental, physical and emo- tional cement. Through our varyiijg of work in our studies, our sports and our other extra- curricular activities, this concrete takes shape in various forms. It is our duty to build upon these founda- tions. We may wish to build our walls of fur- ther education or of immediate employment. Good walls have been built from both. Some of us may wish to build high walls, others low walls. However, these walls will not be used for their ultimate purpose until they are joined together by a roof of success. Success is a word that has a different meaning for each one of us, but whatever it means to you, it must be obtained honestly. My own opinion of success is expressed per- fectly by Douglas Mallock in a simple little poem, which I quote — If you can ' t be a pine on the top of the hill, Be a shrub in the valley — but be The best little shrub by the side of the hill, BE A BUSH, if you can ' t BE A TREE. On behalf of the students of this Graduating Class, I would like to thank Westdale for all that it has given us : I would like to promise Westdale that we shall do our best in the remainder of the race in the building and forming of our houses, — in the rest of our lives. Laing Brown 13