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V ALEDICTORIAN
I was talking to a number of the graduates earlier this evening, and during the course of many of the conver- sations, I asked them how they felt about good ole CCI. Well, most agreed that they had become fond of the place, and after spending four or five years here, CCI was just like a second home to them. Then I asked if they consid- ered those years to be the BEST years of their lives. One witty graduate, who will remain nameless, spoke up and said, "Yes, but perhaps this will give you some idea of just how miserable a life I've been living."
It's my belief that our lives here at CCI haven't been that miserable, but certainly our lives have "chq.nged". And perhaps we, the graduating class of 1972-1973, are more qualified than any previous graduating class, to say "THAT WE ARE GRADUATES OF
CHANGE."
Mr. Giller, members of the faculty, friends of Collingwood Col- legiate Institute, fellow students. It is indeed an honour for me to speak on behalf of this year's graduating class, especially during this school's Centennial year and for this honour, I must express my deepest apprecia- tion to my fellow graduates. How- ever, there is one thing that isn't Centennial about this year and that's us "The Graduates". For we are only the 99th graduating class and I'm only the 99th Valedictorian
and when you're 99th, like Avis,
you have to try harder.
But trying hard has always
been a part of CCI. The foundation
of this institute of learning was one
of the early ideals of the pioneer builders of this town. These men and women wanted to ensure that succeeding generations would have the opportunity that they did not have. Yes, CCI has enjoyed an illustrious past which has spanned a century from William Williams to William Giller. It has survived four moves, a fire and us. But its spirit re- mains as strong as ever. Yet, during those 100 years, each graduating class has had its own view reflecting the feel- ings of their time. Perhaps it might be summed in this quote "What we do expresses what we are and what we are is the result of a multitude of experiences, decisions, actions and reactions. It all adds up to a philosophy, an attitude, and approach to life.....A life style that is the key to our behaviours." For we, the graduates of 72-73, that life style has been one of experiencing change.
During the past five years we have been part of tre- mendous changes in the educational system in Ontario. In fact, one might say we have seen the last of the old and
the beginning of the new as it applies to education. We have witnessed the establishment of the credit system, from little choice to multiple choice. We have been in- fluenced by two different teaching approaches. In Grade nine, we were instructed to do a problem anyway we want- ed as long as we came up with the right answer. The very next year in Grade ten, we were told that the right answer wasn't really necessary, it was how you did the problem. And how you did things became very big with the teachers
at CCI, for the lecture lesson was disappearing and semi- nars and lab projects were appearing. To do things right, however, one must have the proper space and facilities. CCI was not to be left behind and during our years here, a seventeen room addition, the largest addition in CCI's his- tory was started and completed. To mention all of the changes we have seen or experienced would be meaning- less, for it is not so much the changes that matter but their results. And what have those results been?
One could say the usual things like our years here have helped us to grow and mature in wisdom and stature which is undoubtedly true. However, I feel our years here have done something even greater than this. Toffler has said in his novel, "Future Shock", that change will be the
only consistent thing in our lives. Perhaps he is closer to the truth than many of us realize. Even today, change has become an integral part of our lives, whether at school, at work, or in society. Someone has said "To change conditions for the better we need to change people's minds". Here at CCI our minds have learned to accept the changes made necessary by the new mobility of ideas and people. Throughout all of these changes, however, there has been a stabilizing factor. That being the guidance, understanding and good humour of our parents and teachers. We have incurred a debt
to them which can only be repaid by helping others in a similar way.
Graduation day may seem to some like crossing a date line on a
cruise ship; nothing seems different. But it has changes
for us. Yesterday we were students under school discipline and guidance. Today you and I are persons on our own.
The changes that we have experienced The decisions that we have made
The actions and reactions that have resulted Have given us the ability
to accept to adapt
To enable us to face the future that lies ahead.
Ian F. Tudor