Graduation
The annual graduation was exciting for students, parents and teachers. Everyone dressed in their best and gathered in the gymnasium to parade across the stage to collect their diploma. Special awards were presented. The valedictorians dreamed of a bright future.
Sad good-byes were spoken.
Sad good-byes were spoken.
The graduate procession was 'piped' into the gymnasium each year by Jim Bell.
In this photo behind him are teacher Don Giroux and Vice Principal Don Dorst.
In this photo behind him are teacher Don Giroux and Vice Principal Don Dorst.
The graduation programmes published at the end of each school year are an amazing source of information. They include lists of teachers and staff, the names of graduates from all of the academic programmes, award winners, sports achievements, Reach for the Top contestants and Student Administrative Council members. We have been able to gather some of the programmes and they are presented in slide show format.
1967-68
Graduates front row from left: Debby Drummond, Janice Copeman, Wendy Wilson, Sheila Mannella, Marilyn Copeman, Jackie Reiche, Donna Erven. Middle row from left: Maxine Ralston, Kathy Castle, Linda McNeil, Elizabeth Main, Robert Elliott, Vianne Trezise, Hazel Coughlin, Jane Cawthorpe Back row from left: Philip Gough, Gord Merry, Valerie Chapman, Patty Elliott, Caroline Hill, Rich Gutjhar, Gary Leis
1968-69
Ontario Scholars Zoe Brooks, Marilyn Copeman, Elizabeth Main.
1969-70
Ontario Scholars from left: Principal John McDermott, Robert Elliott (Valedictorian), Jo-Anne Geisler, Lynn Geisler, Jeannette Larrusso, Vice-Principal Don Dorst. Absent: David Dockendorf.
Ontario Scholars from left: Jeannette Lorusso, Lynn Geisler, David Dockendorff, Jo-Anne Geisler, Robert Elliott
1970-71
1971-72
Ontario Scholars from left: Mr. McDermott, Christine Main, Sandy Kidd, Dan O'Halloran, Donna Fairgrieve, Ruth Ulrick, Mr. Giroux. Absent: Andrew Jurkevics, Arthur Van Walraven.
1972-73
Valedictorian Susan Newman with John McDermott looking on.
Ontario Scholars (by grade from highest to lowest): Maxi Schwarz, Juanita Topham, Dian Thomson, Pam Meharg, Susan Newman, Bob Crosby, Bill Copeman, Cyril Oxner, Joan (Gallagher) Main, Alanna Reiche. Most of them are in the front row.
1973-74
AHSS Valedictorian Speech
Rick Moore
June 28, 1973 (Dundee Gym)
I suppose you’re all wondering why I asked you here this evening… As the Valedictorian, it is my purpose to give a valedictorian address. In other words, a farewell speech. Unfortunately, I hate goodbyes.
In an optimistic view however, it seems that, we never really leave. No matter the distance or the time travelled, we can return to anywhere and any when, by remembering.
We the graduates, have been, and are yet tonight, trying to comprehend that tonight terminates our five years in this building. We are overwhelmed with a flood of memories – Five years of our lives have been compacted into a pocket of time. It is hard to believe that we are probably standing here with all our friends for the last time.
Tonight we sift through the past years at Almaguin in an attempt to establish the fact that we are standing here and now, that it’s the end of the parade (as Mr. Giroux would say). I love a parade!
During the last couple of weeks at school, I’ve heard several people reminiscing: I remember in grade 9 when we made our typing teacher run crying out of the room; I remember when we had the Simpson Sears Drama Festival and during a performance, a custodian walked across the stage!
I remember when… I REMEMBER WHEN – A phrase that we used to think was restricted to the older people of society! Example: “I remember the winter of the big storm, oh, I guess it was the year the dog died.” We have joked about such people who remain in the past. They can talk for hours about experiences and people long forgotten. Example: “You remember Ester, sister of John’s father-in-law, the nephew of the brother who died 50 years ago?”
We have criticized people for dwelling on the past, THE GOOD OLD DAYS, yet here we are tonight reliving OUR old memories and clinging to whatever we can remember of high school.
Tonight is the vacuum between life as we have known it and life in the world at large: New places, new people. Right now, we TOO remember the good old days, because we too, find security in the familiar.
But we should not dwell too long in the past, because there is no future in it. To live in the past is to become stale, stagnant. To cope with tomorrow we must cope with today – Here and Now. We must realize that THESE ARE the good old days! THESE are the moments to live. We must attempt to live now while the moments belong to US! Here and now can belong to everyone, no matter what their age. For in living here and now, we find youth. You ARE only as old as you feel.
Rick Moore
June 28, 1973 (Dundee Gym)
I suppose you’re all wondering why I asked you here this evening… As the Valedictorian, it is my purpose to give a valedictorian address. In other words, a farewell speech. Unfortunately, I hate goodbyes.
In an optimistic view however, it seems that, we never really leave. No matter the distance or the time travelled, we can return to anywhere and any when, by remembering.
We the graduates, have been, and are yet tonight, trying to comprehend that tonight terminates our five years in this building. We are overwhelmed with a flood of memories – Five years of our lives have been compacted into a pocket of time. It is hard to believe that we are probably standing here with all our friends for the last time.
Tonight we sift through the past years at Almaguin in an attempt to establish the fact that we are standing here and now, that it’s the end of the parade (as Mr. Giroux would say). I love a parade!
During the last couple of weeks at school, I’ve heard several people reminiscing: I remember in grade 9 when we made our typing teacher run crying out of the room; I remember when we had the Simpson Sears Drama Festival and during a performance, a custodian walked across the stage!
I remember when… I REMEMBER WHEN – A phrase that we used to think was restricted to the older people of society! Example: “I remember the winter of the big storm, oh, I guess it was the year the dog died.” We have joked about such people who remain in the past. They can talk for hours about experiences and people long forgotten. Example: “You remember Ester, sister of John’s father-in-law, the nephew of the brother who died 50 years ago?”
We have criticized people for dwelling on the past, THE GOOD OLD DAYS, yet here we are tonight reliving OUR old memories and clinging to whatever we can remember of high school.
Tonight is the vacuum between life as we have known it and life in the world at large: New places, new people. Right now, we TOO remember the good old days, because we too, find security in the familiar.
But we should not dwell too long in the past, because there is no future in it. To live in the past is to become stale, stagnant. To cope with tomorrow we must cope with today – Here and Now. We must realize that THESE ARE the good old days! THESE are the moments to live. We must attempt to live now while the moments belong to US! Here and now can belong to everyone, no matter what their age. For in living here and now, we find youth. You ARE only as old as you feel.
1974-75
Ontario Scholars Sharon McKenzie, Andy Main, Sharon Jenkins, Valerie Hall, Nancy Ulrick
1975-76
Valedictorian Joy Ann Dellandrea
Charlie Driscoll Award Winner Kathy Copeman
Ontario Scholars from right: Gerald Amos, Kathryn Copeman, Joy Ann Dellandrea, Emile LeBlanc, Mary Anne Long, Kathryn McDermott, Carol McLaren, Lois Minor, Margaret Ulrick. Absent: Catherine Allison.
Graduates receive their diplomas.
Graduates pose on the school steps. Front row: Peter Piper, Mike Armstrong, Vicki Whitmell, Johnnie Jones. Second row: Karen Lozow, Joan White, Ruth Leggett, Marg Ulrick, Kathy McDermott, Rick Edwards. Third row: Arthur Dudgeon, Donna Oshell, Marlene Epple, Kathleen Crozier, Cheryl Whittaker. Fourth row: Cathy Weiler, Marilee Black. Fifth row: Sandy Osbourne, Karen Yates, Cathy Young, Carol McLaren, Cheryl Allen, Kathy Copeman, Larry Barry. Sixth row: Cletus Gauthier, Rawn McBride, Peter Purdon, Bruce Downey, Emile Leblanc. Seventh row: Barry Hubbert, Brian Anderson, John Quick, Paul Miller, Tim Weiler
1976-77
Ontario Scholars: From left: Principal John McDermott, Sandra Austin, Robert Van Reekum, Brenda Kunkel, Dana Johnson, Nadia Marusich, Donna Robinson and Carol Gallagher. Missing: Cindy Mercier and Maria Sheppard.
1977-78
Valedictorian Joanne Middlekoop addresses the Assembly.
Ontario Scholars: Front row: Pam Bain, Joann Middlekoop, Laurie Bussierres, Jan Millar, Joyce Ulrick. Back row: Paula Long, Tracy Whitmell, Peter Kidd, Wanda Green, Debbie Smith. Absent: John Forrington, Aaron Currie.
Charlie Driscoll Award Winner Jim Farrell
1978-79
Dee Stripe receiving the Charlie Driscoll Award.
Sixteen students were designated Ontario Scholars in June 1979 in spite of the fact that the Grade 13 graduating class was one of AHSS's smallest. Ontario Scholars: Front from left: Dee Stripe, Randy Copland, Paul Preston, Tony Tikuisis, Gordon Briggs, Bill Hubbert, Marilee McDermott. Back from left: John McDermott (Principal), Judy Kunkel, Chrystal Harvey, Linda Noll, Lyla Noll, Don Giroux (Teacher), Earlene Cudmore, Anette Ahlbeck, Laurie Edward, Don Dorst (Vice Principal)
1979-80
1980 Ontario Scholars from left: John A. McDermott (Principal,) Mary Ann Helmond, Teresa Ferrante, Yvonne Raaflaub, Don Dorst (Vice-Principal), Della Topham, Sally Rasmussen, Don Giroux (Commencement Chair).
Charlie Driscoll presenting the Charlie Driscoll award to Afolake Aiyede.
Valedictorian Afolake Aiyede
