Page 19 - 1947

1st Prize (Lower School)
APPRECIA TION
for as some adults would say, we are all the better for trying.
We enjoy feeling that we really are gaining in knowledge. We are t h r i l l e d , '~\:hen w e h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d something worthwhile. A few words of praise when justly deserved mean everything to us-the difference b~­ tween our happiness and despair.
We understand, too, that the School is not solely for the purpose of teaching us the "three r's"-reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. It is a place where we should be able to learn toler- ance. That seems to be a word with so much meaning il). it. In an article in a modern magazine for girls, the popular radio singer, Kate Smith, has written that we will have another war of race hatred if intolerance is allowed to grow. She believes that the School is one of the places where this can be prevented, where true democracy is something- more than a flowery essay.
Thus our School can be the founda- tion for future happiness, and future understanding. We Teen-agers expect much from our School and in return we hope to be allowed to give much. May we never fail to try!
Shirley Bull
2nd Prize (Lower School) My Most Unforgettable Playmate
He had always been a part of my life: from the first day he forgave me :!'or being a girl, when he had so zeal- ously hoped for a boy. This disturbing fact was overlooked, however, and we J"ast became great friends. He was al- ready an elderly man when I was born; our constant companionship must have been a sight to see. I was a scrawny long-legged imp of a child with a mop of auburn curls: he, a short bald man, with the sprightly step of one pleased with the world.
The memories of our adventures are many and unforgettable. yet, they are so much a part of my younger years, in time they cannot be spaced correctly, but flood across my mind in brilliant confusion ... visiting farms owned by friends; being lifted shriek- ing and squealing with delight from the backs of horses or cattle.
Now a source of amusement to me was the seemingly neverending supply of shrill whistles, constructed of wil- lows or large goose quills. These
"Appreciation", according
popular dictionary means "the proper estimate." I am wondering, then, in vdtat way do we, the "Teen-agers" appreciate-or properly estimate-our School?
Most important is our attitude "toward our school".
Adults are reminding us constant- ly of the wonderful age in which we are living; of what wonderful oppor- tunities lie ahead of us. But in truth, it is very difficult for Teen-age folk to see anything but the immediate present. To us, going to school is far more important than the discovery of atomic energy or even more than the :fact, that now there is peace after six years of war.
Then what do we wartt from our School ?-of course, a good time. It is natural for that to be uppermost in younger minds. We are at the lively age, full of energy (much to the despair of our teachers and parents!) But also we have our serious thoughts. Deep down in our hearts our desire is to he a success. So many persons do not understand Teen-agers, but only see the giddy side of our nature. But we assure you that underneath it all is a desire not to fail those who are
interested in us.
What else do we want from our
School life? Discipline? Certainly. We honestly respect a teacher who can make us work; and we are told that is Quite an achievement on the part of the teacher now-a-days. And when humour is acknowledged as part of the routine in the class, discipline becomes easier to take and understand. How ·we Teen-agers do like the teacher who can laugh with us, and yet, who undtr- stands our many difficulties and problems.
Then, too, we desire the develop- ment of a strong School spirit. To us, School is like a club to which we belong. and when that club is in competition with another-whether in basketball, hockey and so on--we become a shout- ing, noisy mob: and how we love it. Our School yells and oalls, and some of our strange epithets, are all part of our School life. Odd as they may seem to adult ears, they are music to our own.
We expect competition at School, too. Without it, our ambition would lag. We like to have a goal, even though we fall short of it at times;
C. C. I. GLEANER 17
to a