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

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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

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THE ELEMENTARY STAFF Mr. B. Goertzen Grade 5

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GRADUATES — 1959 ADELINE BRAUN, Burwalde Twinkling eyes and a ready smile make nu¬ merous friends for this good natured student and it is her sense of humour and mischievous ideas which make the History class even more interesting. When anyone wants some infor¬ mation on Human Rights, ask Adeline, because she was our deserving representative at the Human Rights Conference at Winnipeg. An industrious and willing worker, she makes top grades but still finds time to go skating and attend Young People’s meetings. Adeline came to us three years ago from Burwalde. Her fu¬ ture is not yet decided, but she has considered entering the teaching profession. NORMAN BRAUN, Burwalde Norman, who makes his home at Burwalde, is one of those persons who contributes a lot to the humour in a classroom. Norman is work¬ ing hard at his third year in the W.C.I. He certainly prefers classes such as Physics and Chemistry to Poetry and Drama. At present, he indulges in a lot of skating and enjoys be¬ ing a handsome pirate in the operetta. GRACE BROWN, Winkler ‘Jo’ has very decided likes and dislikes, pre¬ ferring Physics to Poetry and classical music to jazz. Her many abilities are put to use in her Sunday School Class, church choir, operetta, as basketball team captain, and member of the I.S.C.F. executive. She enjoys arguing about controversial subjects, and starts many a dis¬ cussion in Drama class. Escaping an unpredict¬ able camera lens keeps her quite busy. Seriously she likes to think for herself and intends to enter the nursing profession (effect of brown¬ eyed blond in starched white). Her friendly and attractive personality will aid her wherever she goes. ED DERKSEN, Winkler Ed is friendly, intelligent and has a pleasing personality. This sociable student enjoys life to the full, that is, excluding school. His only defect is his shortsightedness, but this does not keep ‘Coach’ from active sports such as skating, hockey, and curling. There is something about Eddie which gives the class an irresistable urge to laugh whenever he says anything, no matter whether what he says was meant to be humorous or not. A promising young man in every respect! KATHERINE DYCK, Zion Katherine’s cheerful, talkative nature and ever-ready smile have won her many friends in our class. She makes use of her musical talents as school pianist and church organist, and is taking Grade IX piano. Her dramatic ability was shown when she played ‘Marmee’ in ‘Little Women’ last year and this year when she acted as ‘Kate’ in the operetta. She enjoys singing, reciting at the Festival, reading, basketball games cooking (specialty - rice pudding), and Drama and History classes, but detests Maths and Chemistry. She is active as a member of the I.S.C.F. executive and enjoys skating for relaxation after studying. Katherine plans to attend Teachers’ College next year. Page 11