Winkler Collegiate Institute - Collegian Yearbook (Winkler, Manitoba Canada)

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THE ELEMENTARY STAFF Mr. B. Goertzen Grade 5

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THE ELEMENTARY STAFF Mrs. T. Kehler Kindergarten Mrs. K. Friesen Grade 1 Mrs. H. Loewen Retarded Class Grade 2 Grade 1 Miss K. Janzen Grade 4 Grade 3

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Valedictory Address 1959 — By Adeline Braun Tonight we have attained our first major destination on the road of life. Throughout our elementary education we were awaiting the day when we would be represented at ' commencement exercises. By the time we entered high school, the obstacles separat¬ ing us from our goal began to appear and constantly become more distinct. Finally we have overcome those barriers and reach¬ ed that height on the banister of life from which we look back on a grade twelve edu¬ cation but look forward to a life of oppor¬ tunity, obligation, and duty. We can now discern the silhouette of a life in which the autonomy for which we have striven in by¬ gone years must be practiced. To us the world now appears as Matthew Arnold pic¬ tured its outward appearance: “Like a land of dreams, so various, so beautiful, so new.” These Commencement Excercdses mark the beginning of a life in which we will confront the challenge of the world as in¬ dividuals. Many of us will now bid farewell to our home, our school, and our church to enter a new phase of life. No longer will school be the centre of our daily living. We must now remain alert for opportunities which once lost will never return. Let us at this time recall the words of the psalmist when he was inspired to write, “I will in¬ struct thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye.” As we view the future, let us be mindful of that promise. Our high school has not merely been a four-walled structure with a flat roof to shelter us. It was a unit composed of indus¬ trious students, patient teachers, and worth¬ while experiences and was pervaded with an atmosphere of industry. This is the school that has become dear to us. In our entry into the world of experience, we will be conscious of a growing nostalgia for the companionship of our acquaintances of the Winkler Collegiate which we have had in some of our past moments of distress. As we will call to mind our high school days we will undoubtedly recall the numer¬ ous enjoyable activities in which we parti¬ cipated among which were the performances of “Little Women” and “The Pirates of Pen¬ zance.” We will also readily recall the fre¬ quent humorous and embarrassing incidents in the classroom only one of which was the intermittent dribble of beads to the floor from a student’s necklace at the beginning of a History Class. We will always remem¬ ber the many enlightening classes as well as the few tedious ones. We will regret Page 10 the many instances when we wetre anxious to ask questions but refrained from doing so for fear of displaying our ignorance. We now recognize the truth of the ancient Chi¬ nese proverb which says, “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, he who docs not ask a question remains a fool for¬ ever.” We cectainly will remember the helping hands of our teachers which have guided us throughout our school days. It is you who have been patient with us while we have co-operated reluctantly. Please remember that we were typical students who did not practise the habit of showing appreciation for teachers during school days. We now realize the purpose of your tireless efforts and wish to express our gratitude. At the crossroads of life which lie ahead, we will frequently be longing for the assistance, of competent teachers, which we had through¬ out our school life. Though it will become more endearing when it will no longer be available, we already begin to realize that good counsel is above price. We, the graduates, would at this time also like to take this opportunity of extend¬ ing our sincere appreciation to the parents who have established the path toward our present climax. We realize that it has been impossible for many of you to get a secon¬ dary education. This makes your sacrifice the greater. Your encouragement has been essential for the attainment of our present goal. The school board and citizens of the com¬ munity deserve a sincere token of gratitude for making our local educational facilities available to us. We have through your ef¬ fects been privileged in being able to attend a modern school with a well-equipped science laboratory and an auditorium which we have frequently used as a gymnasium as well. We are most grateful to our Creator who has made it possible for us to obtain an education. It is one of His greatest talents, the intellect, which has enabled us to pro¬ cure a grade twelve level. The world we now face is growing more competitive and more complex with its new scientific inventions and increased educa¬ tional demands. We are living in an age of specialization and opportunity. Science alone offers unlimited opportunities in various fields including chemistry, physics, geology, and biology. The present space era also fur¬ nishes appalling challenges for Canadian scientists to keep astride of the Russians in Continued on Page 64