Page 7 - 1954

I1953C.D.C.I.ValedictoryAddress I Given By John Thomson
It is with sincere appreciation of the honour which the students have bestowed upon me that I speak this word of farewell on behalf of the l9S3 graduating class of the Collingwood District Collegiate Institute. For a number of years we have studied our particular courses and gathered knowledge, but the day of graduation has arrived. Tonight we recall our high school and collegiate days and realize that we stand on the threshold of life.
As freshmen we entered high school timidly, looking with awe and dismay upon the theorems of Geometry, the laws of Physics and the intricacie~ of French and Latin. On regaining some of our composure, we realized that while the class- room, with new subjects, was somewhat bewildering, this was offset by our enjoy-
and social activities •
is something to remember. I can not speak for all the class,
ment of sports
As classes went by, our teachers follmied the prescribed curriculum. Indif- ferencP and slowness of wit often kept us from learning, but by tact, persever- ance and persuasion our teachers gradually led our wayward f~et to an assured tread along the path of knowleage. The heavy weight of our academic studies was lessened by our organized athletics and the meetings of the Student Council. These extra-curricular activities were instrumental in developing a school and team spirit and in building lasting friendships.
And so tonight we thank our teachers, fellow students and parents for their untiring and capable efforts. We realize that much of that which we may accomp- lish is a result of their effort.
There is another group to whom we are indebted, those associated with and responsible for our municipal, provincial and federal governments. It is by their efforts that our institutions and mode of life have been developed and maintained. Too often we take this effort for granted or even refer unkindly to lt as in the case of the story referring to the inauguration of congress at which the bishop was asked if he was about to pray for the newly inaugurated congressmen. The bishop said, after looking over the congressmen, that it would be better to pray for the country.
It would be quite unthinkable that we should ·spend our years of youth taking courses if there was nothing beyond graduation. Why not have a good time and i~nore the years that are to come? But wisdom demands that we should have the future in mind. Graduation in one sense is a goal, but in another sense it is a door that opens into a larger life. Graduation in itself would be meaningless unless more were to follow. Thus we are now on the threshold of a widening life that is rich in its possibilities and in many ways is a fulfilment of all that has gone before.
As graduates we have a boundless field for our endeavours and while this field is world-wide, some of our best opportunities are on our own doorstep--Can- ada.
Champlain made his first voyage to Canada in 1604 and while some time was spent exploring the Atlantic coast, he came up the St. Lawrence, establishing the set- tlement at ~uebec, from which base he set out on a series of explorations, some of which extended through this part of Ontario. One hundred and twenty years ago our pioneer forefathers carried grain on their backs for days along a blazed trail to the grist mill and back to provide for the family.
There has been great progress and development in many ways since the time of Champlain and of the first white settlers in this district. I am not suggesting that we as graduates can compare with the great explorers of our pioneers who
.Home>JOrk--that
especially for
important to do. Baseball, hockey, even girls all contributed to assignmentsnot completed. Latin, French, Geometry and Algebra all sufrerAd. Nevertheless, all of us owe a great debt to our teachers •.rho bore the torch of' knowledge through darkened halls followed not too closely by sometimes reluctant boys and girls.
the girls, but somehow the boys always have something more