School Story
VALEDICTORY
As the end of our last term at Gladstone approaches, we meet its finality with mixed emotions; with nostalgia, with fear of what lies ahead, and yet with an eagerness to try our hand at the game of life.
For most of us, our years at Gladstone have been rewarding, and now at graduation we recall fondly our many and varied experiences; indoor trackmeets and inter-mural sports, school dances and noon hour sock hops. We relive the excitement of the Teacher's Tricycle Race and remember shamefacedly our detentions for chewing gum. We remember club activities, skating parties, and the Canned Food Drives. We also remember our many friendships, and with the realization that soon we will be going our separate ways, the become more dear. Yes, Gladstone has give us many memories that will not be forgotten.
But all too soon, graduation, also, will be only a memory. Suddenly we are young men and women, expected to cope with life's responsibilities. Decisions that will affect our entire life now face us. A world of advanced science and education in an age of specialization calls us into a society where only the fittest survive and anything short of our best is not good enough.
I remember Mr. Edmonds, principal of Killarney School, saying on Careers Day, "If there are any tears at graduation it is because you are scared." Yes, Mr. Edmonds, we are scared. An overwhelming sense of not being ready for our new responsibilities fills us. But our doubts are lessened when we remember that our years at Gladstone have been spent in preparation for the future.
Our learning has not been merely a gathering or academic facts but has been a developing of principles by which to live: a willingness to work, a sense of responsibility, a respect for honesty, loyalty, and discipline. We have adopted new values and set higher standards; we have learned to give, and to receive in proportion; we have developed a taste for individuality; each year we have grown within ourselves in our ability to think and reason; each year we have become more mature in our relationships. How was this accomplished? Through patience, understanding and guidance of Gladstone's staff of teacher to whom we owe many thanks.
But past experience has prepared us to meet the challenge of our times and we are now eagerly anticipating the future. Six years ago, graduation was our ultimate goal; now we realize that high school was merely a stepping stone to greater achievements. R.L. Stevenson says in his essay EL DORADO "there is always a new horizon for onward looking men." We have been given a foundation of basic education on which to build our future: in universities, hospitals or our chosen vocation. We have been prepared to take our place in society. It is exciting to think that the future of the world rests in our hands. In a few years we will be governing our country, we will be orbiting the moon, and we will be holding peace talks with Russia and China.
Thus it is with eager anticipation of our future that we say farewell to Gladstone and carry with us fond memories of high school years. And as we take our place in today's fast-moving society les us remember that
"Here in the space between us and each other
lies all the future
of the fragment of the universe
which is our own."
Laureen King
Gladiator ‘66
This vivacious gal, who is Vice-President of Class 2 and co-editor of the Annual, still finds time for Senior Cheerleading, I.S.C.F., and Driver Training. Her future plans include U.B.C. and "startling Miss Hawkes with correct pronunciation."
