The Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-10-02, Page 35t
First Annual GDCI Commencement Souvenir Edition
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128 YEAR -40
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
THIRD SECTION
Path.�
r e;
memories similar
Valedictorian for this year's graduating
class was Michael Palmer, the student who
had the highest average in Grade .13 this
spring with 91.7 per cent. In addition to
several high school awards, Mike won a
Chancellor's Scholarship which provides a
tuition . free first -.year to McMaster
University in Hamilton and a Knights of
Columbus bursary valued at $1000 over
four years. There were 15 recipients of K of
C bursaries thl 'year out of 332 students
who applied for them. Mike is enrolled in
Engineering at McMaster. (staff photo)
•
In they come, Class of 775
BY MICHAEL PALMER
,r :.What are the first thoughts that
come to your mind when you hear
the phrase, high school? To some of
the parents it would mean the
building where their children go to.
learn the three R's. For the
teachers, it is their place of em-
ployment. To the graduates, though,
it means a lot more..
A high school offers an en
vironment in which the young people
of today can grow and mature. It is
the place where today's adolescents
spend most of their developing years
when they are at a young and im-
pressionable age: An atmosphere
conducive to friendship surrounds'a
high school program with academic,'
athletic and social facets.
The graduates of '75 will
remember G.D.C.I. as a lot more
than just a physical location.
Much time and .effort have gone
into miaking this day a' reality for the
gradates .and many people* have
played roles in . that success. I'm
sure all the grads will agree with me
that their parents are at the top of
that list.
They were the ones who reassured
',us and gave us confidence in our-
selves when the chips were down.
We could 'alwars count on our
.parents to stand behind us. There
owas probably the odd disagreement
but it was their way of..showing their
love and concern for us. Our parents
deserve much credit for helping us
achieve our goal of .graduation. ,
The truly fine teaching staff at
G.D.C.I. is a valuable asset, to all, the
students. Our high school teachers
deserve our utmost appreciation and
thanks for their assistance and
_patience. Most of the graduates
,mere very co-operative with their
teachers and those students ..who
were habitually late or tended to
forget about classes were soon
straightened out by Mr. Murdie.
Ourclassmates also, helped us
reach this pinnacle.- Even when the
work load was:the heaviest we still
managed to have a good laugh now
and again. After four or five years of
high school you get to know your
classmates very well and you
become close to a few in particular.
Many lasting friendships have been
made in the last four years and We
should try to keep in touch with our
friends because really rood friends
• are rare. Each of us, in ,.Jr lifetime,
will have countless, acquaintances
but true friends can be coupated on.
the fingers. of one hand.
Last but not least, the graduates
themselves should, be commended
for their success. Although the work
was hard, the rewards were many.
We have deve ped as individuals
through our invo ement in .sports,
school government, and other extra-
curricular activities'. These ac-
tivities were not only sociable and
enjoyable but they also developed
leadership qualities and gave those
students' involved a sense of ''ac-
complishment. •
'Many friendships were made as a,
result of after class activities. A
good balance between academic,
athletic and social activities should
be .maintained to derive the most
from high school and I believe this
graduating class.. „has maintained
that balance extremely well:
Certain obstacles had to' be
overcome to enable us to' reach this
stage in our lives. At times when the...,
work load was heavy quite a bit of
pressure was put on the students.
However, we have all overcome
these pressures and we will be better
prepared to cope with modern life 9s .4
a result of our experiences.
Now that we have 'graduated our
paths will separate. It's like clim-
bing a tree and we have come to the
branches. Some of us will enter j'he
Q
working
force, others will continue
their education at college or
university. Many of us will leave
home and move to a strange and,
different environment. No matteir
(where we go Dr what we do we all
know that we have received a •5ol•id
foundation .for what the future holds
in store for us.
Each- of us has 4)different
aspirations and expectations of the
road that lies ahead of us. One thing
that we all have in common. though,
is the search for happiness and it is
my sincere wish„ that all the
graduates of 1975 will live a happy
and prosperous life.
In conclusion may I quote you, the
graduates, the Gaelic Blessing.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your
back,
May the sun shine warm upon your .
face, the rain fall soft upon your
fields.
Until. we meet again,
May God hold you in.the palm of His
Hand. •
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