Western Canada High School - Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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BOOK Page nine ItaU ' tortimi “Gone but not forgotten.” This is the universal verdict of all High School graduates while reminiscing over their school days. The necessity of constant study and application, the examinations looming on the horizon, the natural anxiety over the examinations them¬ selves, kept us in a tense atmosphere, and when all was over, we experienced a very decided sense of relief. Yet those High School days viewed through the perspective of a year, were indeed happy days. We recall the associations with our fellow students, our experiences with our teachers and many of the incidents of our High School life, with pleasure and perhaps with a certain sense of regret, because to us such days will never re¬ turn. In our retrospect we would not forget our teachers who with skill, pati¬ ence and sympathy, led us along the path of knowledge. Time strengthens our feelings of gratitude, and respect for the principal and teachers of Western Canada. On completing our High School course we were faced with the realization that we must reach a decision as to our future and while we may have given the matter some thought during school days, the question “what are we going to do” has now forced itself to the forefront. This year the problem of deciding is very much more complicated. The world seems to be crowded with people who with considerable education and experience have nothing to do. Although this lack of employment and the consequent depres¬ sion attending it, tends to discourage us, it should also be a source of encourage¬ ment for us to strive to attain a higher degree of accomplishment in our chosen work so that we may fulfill our obligations to society that much the better when the time for work does come. In the meantime let us maintain an open mind and a receptive attitude in regard to all questions, political, economic and social. To those in the first year of High School work we would pass on a word of cheer. They have a long way to travel. We know all the classes will continue the efforts of their predecessors in promoting the interests, activities and school spirit of “Western Canada.” We feel certain that its high standard in scholastic attainments and sport activities will be upheld and even surpassed in the coming years. To those of us who have left school, the sports days, the rugby, hockey and basketball games bring back thrilling memories, and we trust that all who are now attending Western Canada will “play up and play the game” for the sake of the old school, its principal and its staff. — Helen Bayne

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Page eitfht YEAR iUnttmtimts iaga T. E. A. S. Like Biological evolution, social, political, economic and religious evolution have their explosive periods. For a century or perhaps several centuries, slow, steady development takes place, or in some cases more rapid degeneration marks a nation or a race. Then something happens. An explosion takes place. These explosions constitute the high lights of history. There is no doubt but that we are in the middle of such an explosion just now. The Great War accelerated the inevitable climax but was not the cause of it. How is it going to affect our own country or Empire ? That depends upon several factors. What happens in other countries will have its effect upon us. Nations can no longer live unto themselves. The fallacy of the doctrine of self-sufficiency is being demonstrated at the present moment, and nowhere more effectively than on this continent. Russia has waded through blood to substitute one tyranny for another. What the final outcome may be does not yet appear. Middle Europe is showing remarkable self-control but is in the midst of what appears to be economic ruin. War debts have paralyzed trade. Whether violence or comparatively peace¬ ful evolution ushers in a new era generally depends upon the genius for accom¬ modation of the peoples involved. In the past, our race has possessed this faculty, but nothing can be taken for granted. On the one hand are always to be found those for whom a change is anathema, however inevitable that change may be. On the other are those who would substitute chaos for order. Between these two extremes must be found the brains to lay out the path and the steady hands to hold the reins of progress. That things will not settle themselves in a week or a day, if at all, is but too evident. The youth of today are those on whom will fall the great burden of construction and re-construotion. Do our High School students realize the great responsibilities about to drop upon their shoulders, or have they sensed its glorious opportunities. I sometimes dare to hope they have.

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Page ten YEAR lEMtnrial Once again the Year Book is presented to the students, and will of its very nature necessitate our reviewing the influence which our school has exercised over our lives during the past year. To some the year has brought honor, either in scholastic attainment or in athletic triumph, to others happiness in the association of our friends; and perhaps to still others, it has meant effort without end. How¬ ever, to all it has brought about a gradual transition from childish thoughts and occupations to a more mature attitude to life in general. We have been successful in bringing home to “Western” prizes in both the academic contests and in the athletic competitions, and although we did not win all the laurels, we succeeded in giving evidence of an unusual degree of ability, both mental and physical; of the thoroughness in training by our teachers and coaches; and above all, of the per¬ fection of the sporting-spirit maintained by all the members of the student body. In “yon same paper” you will find a permanent record of all the members of the graduating class, set down in individual “epitaphs,” giving you an insight into their characters, faults, peculiar qualities and enlightening acc ounts of several topics of current interest, interspersed with poems and prophecies. Mingled with the sports news, which has been carefully compiled, will be found humorous anecdotes and cartoons. We hope that you will peruse our book from cover to cover, in the assurance that, after weighing it in the balance of your own critical judgment, you will not find it wanting. The Year Book Committee takes this opportunity to thank all those who have aided in this publication; the various members of the staff for their generous and untiring efforts and their excellent advice; the student body for its hearty co-operative support, especially those who gave not only of their time and energy, so unselfishly, to the sale of the books, but also those who, by making literary contributions, have made possible the publication of this, our journal of the year’s achievement. —Staave Kruse