Page 76 - 1926 Hartridge

Page 72
i\h for the good old days, you think.
Do not think it. These are really better days, even if some girls and
some families and some schools are inconvenienced.
Tt is true that pupils who count on their teachers to make the grade
for them, or to follow them up step by step will not in the future go to the best colleges or, perhaps, to any college. Why should they? Tf they could make 6o by that method, they can make 70 or 80 by their own hard work, under wise direction. If a girl of fair ability in a good school really wants to go to college, she will make 70 or 75 or whatever she needs to
bring it about, and she will see to it that she has no failures. That means effort, but a fairly intelligent person who makes an effort is more worth while than a very Intelligent person who makes none.
As a matter of fact, the time has not yet come when the colleges are refusing girls who have no poor marks. Suppose it should come, what then? We may be fairly confident that when the colleges and the schools and the Board can assure the country that hundreds or thousands of girls
who make 75 per cent in every subject are unable to gain admission to existing colleges, some Foundation or some individual philanthropist will supply the needed institutions. When such a claim can be made it will
be a joyful day.
We must not worry over changes that indicate a gain for the country
even if they mean hardship in some cases. Education is our sorest need. Lack of concentrated effort is our bane. If the present state of affairs results in greater effort for many, if it leads to better secondary education
for many, it is an excellent st^te of affairs.
Members of the Graduating Class, some of us have been together
for a long time. You have all learned to face direct speaking and I have learned that you can all meet what you must meet. If it means a certain rating for college or for business, make that rating. Decide what you want. Let no door, college or other, be closed to you because of the unlit
lamp.”
The following were the members of the Senior Class: Elizabeth Beattie, Claire Bott, Grace Campbell, Helen Clode, Helen Fraker, Phoebe
Gow Gregor, Marion Graham, Margaret Lesher, Elisabeth Nash, Jose­ phine Paul, Helen Pennock, Lillian Rice, Hope Robertson, Louise Seaman,
Miriam Smith, Helen Stephenson, Peggy Thomas, Lucille Verlenden.