Page 7 - 1959

Tonight, September 5th, 1958, is a night that will remain fixed in our minds re- gardless of what this atomic age may bring. Graduation from high school is an event that can never be forgotten as it climaxes the best years of one's life.
When I was asked to represent the graduating class of 1958, I was both honoured and humbled to feel th~t my classmates had nominated me for this memorable task. My efforts, I hope, may express what each one of us would wish to say if he or she had the opportunity to stand here tonight and express his or her own inward thoughts.
Five not-so-long years ago, the doors of public school shut behind us and we opened the doors of adulthood and a new and mysterious life. No longer did we feel young and insecure; we were now teenagers and in high s_chool. In first form, we were kings; in
second form lords; in third form sirs; in fourth form servants; and finally, in fifth form, frightened. Not one of us could say differently.
Each year brought something new. Each year brought a challenge and we answered it as best we knew. There was the challenge of examinations, meeting them with confidence, if studied for, and a perspiring nervousness if attempted otherwise. There was also the athletic challenge of high school sports, the challenge to do well for C. D. C. I.
Different classmates among us had their own private challenges and here tonight, as you the graduates grace the memory-haunted building, some, maybe for the last time, can say; "We met the challenge and we won. "
But we cannot say we worked alone. The invaluable help from our teachers throughout the years was, to say the least, unselfish and completely thoughtful towards us. This final year seemed to bring all of these traits out into the open where we could actually see how interested and con- cerned were these teachers in seeing that we would be successful now and in the future.
Here, at this moment, on behalf of the graduates, I would like to thank our teachers from the bottom of our hearts, those who are still here and those who have parted for other town or city schools, for their patience, which we can imagine grew very thin at some times, and for their ever- ready help in seeing us through these wonderful years.
Also, there is someone else who gave us a needed lift at the right moment and who always said, "Whatever you do, we know you will do it well," who hides behind aprons, desks, welding- helmets, and stacks of business papers. Obviously, I mean our parents.
Moments when the studying became rough and the work piled up , we would become disheartened and often the word 'quit' entered our minds. At such times, our parents entered the dejected scene and with a few quiet words of understanding and wisdom from them, we would once more, and with renewed vigour, return to the books. Our parents love us, and because of this, want to see us do well. Because of them, I know we also want to succeed. A prayer-filled thanks to such wonderful fathers and mothers whom we all love; to whom we are very grateful.
So tonight, graduates, we leave the protection of our homes and families and face the future on our own. At first we may be frightened and hold back from what we would normally do, but as we become accustomed to our new ways, we will face life as adults should, and accept the good along with the bad •. Maybe this quotation will stay with you and you will remember it when you are alone and the world is seemingly against you:
In the lexicon of youth
Which fate reserves
For bright manhood,
There is no such word as fail.
Shall I say au revoir, and God bless all of you.
Hugh Butters
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