History of Newmarket High School 5

THE LITERARY SOCIETY:

The first meeting to organize the Literary Society was held on October 29, 1920 and continued for the following forty years as the central organization of many of the school’s activities.

The objective of the Society was to stress forms of culture, literature, music, and the arts.  In addition it provided training for self expression in public speaking and a means for developing confidence and general executive experience.

The Literary Society sponsored debates, oratorical contests, school plays, dances, musical entertainment, ‘At Home’ parties and the publication of the year books.

By 1960, the Student Council and the proliferation of clubs and various independent activities rendered the Literary Society redundant.

LITERARY SOCIETY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 1920 – 1960

1920 – Pres. Francis Morton, Sec. Doris Cane

1921 – Pres. Francis Morton, Sec. Jagger Oldham

1922 – Pres. Bruce Davis, Sec. Alice Hamilton

1923 – Pres. Allan Mills, Sec. Alice Hamilton

1924 – Pres. Ralph Bain, Sec. Alice Hamilton

1925 – Pres. Eric Dillane, Sec. Willa Mahoney

1926 – Pres. Parker Lister, Sec. Dorothy Ramsey

1927 – Pres. Grant Dillane, Sec. Ruth Capell

1928 – Pres. Irwin Pollock, Sec. Erla Currey

1929 – Pres. John Larkin, Sec. Clare Doyle

1930 – Pres. Eric Carter, Sec. Barbara Fairey

1931 – Pres. Mae Nesbitt, Sec. Meeda Williams

1932 – Pres. Bruce McClymont, Sec. Harold Ross

1933 – Pres. Alan Cane, Sec. Alberta Atkins

1934 – Pres. John Carruthers, Sec. Ruth Bothwell

1935 – Pres. William Janes, Sec. Alvin Walker

1936 – Pres. Ruth Bothwell, Sec. Elizabeth Hewson

1937 – Pres. James Seldon, Sec. Marjorie Stickwood

1938 – Pres. James Tod, Sec. Barbara Davis

1939 – Pres. William Fraser, Sec. Kenneth Johns

1940 – Pres. Jean Smith, Sec. Hugh Garrett

1941 – Pres. Beryl Rowntree, Sec, Joyce Bothwell

1942   Pres. John Hunter, Sec. Margaret Goldsmith

1943    Pres. Audrey Hunt, Sec. Margaret MacInnes

1944    Pres, Robert Speer, Sec. Lois Merritt

1945    Pres. Davis Edwards Sec. William Ewing

1946   Pres. Doris Proctor, Sec. Marion Rose

1947   Pres. Duncan Beattie, Sec. James: Rutledge

1948   Pres. Reid Bell, Sec. Mary Lou Little

1949   Pres. David Preston, Sec. Mary Arkinstall

1950   Pres, James Hugo, Sec. Mary Blackwell

1951    Pres. Jean Rose, Sec. Margaret Arkinstall

1952   Pres. Douglas Cockburn, Sec. Doreen Lunau

1953   Pres. Albert Horner, Sec. Nora Morley

1954   Pres. James Ridler, Sec. Edna Markham

1955   Pres. Donald Jackson, Sec. Judith Carter

1956    No Executive

1957    No Executive

1958   Pres. Maija Zvirgzdins, Sec. Merilyn Winkworth

1959    Pres. Stanley Tripp, Sec. Elizabeth Cline

1960    Pres. Jack Gillhem,  Sandra Tattrie

STUDENT COUNCIL:

The Student council was organized by the students in 1947 with the executive elected by the student body, Each form is represented on the council by an elected member. As an advisory group, it unites and assists the various organizations which sponsor dances, skating parties, school plays, year book preparation and the formation of the many clubs which are part of the school activity.

The president of the Student Council each year since 1963 has been chairman for the annual commencement program.

PRESIDENTS OF STUDENT COUNCIL

1947   Kenneth Ball \ Pat. Duncan, (co—chairmen)

1948   Kenneth Budd ( first president)

1949   Reid Bell

1950   Harvey Evans

1951    Jerry Hugo

1952   Donald Budd

1953   Glen Keffer

1954   Verne Hutchinson

1955   Donald Lewis

1956   Karl McCutcheon

1957   Judith Morton

1958   George R0bertson

1959   Robert McTavish / Roland Ridler

1960   Larry Bone

1961    Jill vale

1962    No Executive

1963    Mary King

1964   Lauren Marshall

1965   William Bosworth

1966   Stephen Robinson

1967   Dianne Evans

1968   John Hurst

1969   Barry Nesbitt

1970   William Cooke

1971    Aeneas Lane

1972   Howard Breen

1973   Wayne Harrison

1974   Gregory Currie

1975   Chris. Jackson

1976   Peter McCarnan

1977   David Brown

1978   Roxanne Ziolkoska

1979    David Kukurudza

DRAMA AND MUSIC:

The performing arts have played a major role in school activities. Limited facilities prevented dramatic ventures prior to the addition of an auditorium in 1926. Even then the presentation of school plays, of necessity had to be made in the Town Hall and were performed in conjunction with the annual commencement program.

The formation of the Literary Society In 1920 gave impetus to a multitude of skits, plays, vocal renditions, piano and instrumental selections as part of the Society meetings usually held on a Friday afternoon once a month.

In 1926, a new auditorium was added to the old school end opening celebrations were held on Thursday Dec.16 and Friday Dec.17. Several addresses and scholarship awards were accompanied with vocal selection by a double quartet, solo by Campbell Dolan, solo dance by Mae Nesbitt and several selections by a twelve piece school orchestra led by Max. Boag — student manager. 

On Friday Dec. 17, a social evening comprised bridge, progressive euchre and a dance with “West-Max”, a 7—piece orchestra. (Art West end Max Cameron).

On the following Monday evening Dec. 20, 1926, e four-act play “Seventeen* by Booth Tarkington starred Grant Dillane, Charles Cane and Jean Chantler. The school orchestra was again in attendance.

The school commencement on Dec. 21 and 22 – 1927 featured e one—act operetta “The Quest of The Gypsy” led by Kenneth Morton and Terry Doane.

The auditorium was completely destroyed by fire on March 31, 1928 but the production of plays, glee clubs, orchestras etc. has continued to the present time.

The minutes of the Literary Society for Nov. 29, 1935 mentions, probably the shortest one—act, one—men, one—minute skit on record — “Napoleon’s Farewell To His Grandma” by Herbert Squires (an opening in the curtain and fond parting gesture.

On several occasions during the 30′ B, 40’s and 50’s Newmarket High School girls participated in the Gilbert end Sullivan operettas with neighbouring Pickering College.

The students of Fifth Form, in 1951 presented a rollicking adaption of a Minstrel Show with Allan Jackson as interlocutor and again in 1959 the same type of show was produced by the Boys Athletic Society, With a cast of forty—five and interlocutor — Elgin Toole.

From 1951 to 1958 the Drama Society competed in the Simpson Collegiate Drama Festival and each year were top contenders with Runnymede, Pickering (town),Brampton, Ryerson, Earl Haig, Aurora, Agincourt, etc.

The production “OUR TOWN” performed at Hart House and directed by Mr. W. Elliott in 1955 won first place in the Simpson Drama Festival as the best play produced of all the schools in Ontario.

Mr. William Elliott has directed all the school plays since 1953, with notable success. The development of the talents of the students under his direction has been well recognized end appreciated by the student body and interested towns people.

SCHOOL PLAYS SINCE 1951

1951   OUR DREAM HOUSE

1952   THE BISHOP’S CANDLESTICKS

1953   THANK-YOU DOCTOR

1954   THE DEAR DEPARTED

1955   OUR TOWN

1956   THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH /  EVERYMAN

1957   THE LITTLE FOXES

1958   THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER /  THE SHORT HAPPY JOURNEY

1959    THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

1960   OUR TOWN

1961    THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

1962    THE MATCHMAKER

1963     TRIAL BY JURY

1964     THE GONDOLIERS

1965     OUR TOWN

1966      THE STREETS OF NEW YORK

1967       THE BOY FRIEND

1968       AGES AGO

1969       OUR TOWN

1970       YOU CAN’T IT WITH YOU

1971        THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

1972        THE MATCHMAKER

1973        THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH

1974        THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

1975         PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA /  THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER /  TRIAL BY JURY

1976         THE MIKADO

1977         OUR TOWN

1978         PATIENCE

1979         THE BOY FRIEND

1980        THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH

CADETS:

The cadet movement in Canada can be traced back to 1860 when Volunteer Militia Rifle Companies were formed as part of a reorganization of the militia.

In 1879 ‘Associations for Drill in Educational Institutions’ became part of the militia.

Cadet organizations were begun by the government of Canada in 1903, although the Ontario government issued regulations for the formation of high school cadet corps some years earlier, in 1898.

Military training in Newmarket Grammar School started the first year after Confederation and although small, it was one of the first cadet corps in the Dominion.

Formal cadet training was held for one week early in May of each year and consisted of marching, foot and rifle drill and platoon formations. Bayonet practice was discontinued in 1919. Inspection by an officer of the Queens York Rangers was held on the Friday of the training period, starting with a march formed at the Town Hall and ending at the school grounds. The uniforms were heavy khaki with brass buttons and puttees and in many cases, not a very good fit, a dance, held on the evening of the inspection, was a popular annual event.

All uniforms and equipment were destroyed in the fire of 1928 but were replaced when the new school was built In 1929. A rifle range was built into the new school end a rifle team was formed which achieved considerable distinction by winning the ‘King’ Trophy and the Strathcona Medal in 1934. Lorne Patterson and Tom Lowndes were top marksmen in the rifle competitions.

In 1934, government grants for cadet instruction and uniform allowances were cancelled due to opposition to ‘Militarism’ in the federal House Of Commons. However, the cadet corps at N.H.S. continued until 1937. It has not been revived since that time.

A rifle club, not associated with the military, was formed in 1951 but lasted only a short time due to the rifle range being lost in the renovations for the addition of the wing at the north—east corner of the school.

COMMENCEMENT

Regular annual graduation exercises have been a highlight of the school year since the turn of the century. Before 1930, these events took place at the end of the Easter term, but since that time have been held in late October or in November. They have always been well attended ‘ by both parents and students. Up to 1926 the Town Hall was used as there was not accommodation in the school for such an occasion.

Graduation diplomas, proficiency prizes and scholarships were presented on the program which also included recitations, vocal and instrumental selections, poetry and usually a play. On a few occasions a banquet preceded the ceremonies and concluded with a formal dance.

A main feature of commencement was the delivery of the Valedictory Address which was given by an honour student of the graduating class. Prior to 1970, this address was usually published in the ‘Phoenix’ of the corresponding year.

VALEDICTORIANS

Prior to 1926— No Record

1926 Willa Mahoney                                                1955   Verne Hutchinson

1927 Donald Patterson                                            1956   James Ridler

1928 Charles Brodie                                                 1957   Karl McCutcheon

1929 Murray McBride                                              1958  Judith Carter

1930 Mary Gilfillan                                                   1959   George Robertson

1931 Jessie Marshall                                                 1960   Barry Buckler

1932 Meeda Willlams                                               1961   Carol Burnham

1933 Oswald Tate                                                      1962   Elaine Thomson

1934 Irene Patterson                                                1963   Janneke Prins

1935 Nora Penrose                                                    1964   Dorothy Whitty

1936 Alvin Walker                                                     1965   Sunda Lee

1937 Alice Fairbarn                                                   1966  Jack McCaffrey

1938 George Johns                                                    1967   Annette Kohler

1939 Audrey Geer                                                      1968  Jan Spersud

1940 Jean Smith                                                        1969   Glen Scorgie

1941  Denne Bosworth                                              1970   James Crawford

1942 Jean Cunningham                                           1971   Lynne Weller

1943 Robert Brooks                                                  1972 William Cooke

1944 Hazel McNern                                                  1973  Guy Robson

1945 Reta Horner                                                      1974 Wayne Harrison

1946 Ruth Lister                                                        1975 Stephen Dunn

1947 Kathleen Miller                                                 1976 Michael Yamasaki

1948 Shirley Andrews                                               1977 Paul Holyoke

1949 Joyce Porter                                                      1978 Jennifer Smart

1950 David Preston                                                  1979 Roxanna Ziolkowska

1951 Allen Jackson

1952 William Wilson

1953 Taylor Gilbert

1954 Glen Keffer

SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS

THE BOGART  SCHOLARSHIP — English & History donated in 1928 by Mr. E.A. Bogart, a graduate end member of the Board of Trustees — in memory of his mother, an early pioneer and first student enrolled the High School of 1877.

THE E.D. MANNING MEMORIAL – Mathematics

HON. E. J. DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP – Mathematics

N. BELUGIN SCHOLARSHIP – Physics Chemistry

G. JACKSON SCHOLARSHIP

W. PEARSON SCHOLARSHIP

GEORGE D. WARK SCHOLARSHIP

STANLEY BROCK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

MARION FORREST MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – French

DYLE THOMSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – Chemistry

ALLAN JACKSON MEMORIAL BURSARY

ALLAN BERBECK TROPHY & SCHOLARSHIP — Mathematics

MICHELLE McCAFFREY MEMORIAL AWARD – Honor Roll

WALSTON AINSLEY MEMORIAL AWARD – Assistance to higher education

BARBARA HOLEORN MEMORIAL AWARD – Leadership

ELSIE ROBERTS MEMORIAL AWARD – Latin

WEARREN HUNT MEMORIAL AWARD – Music

FERENC  MEMORIAL AWARD – Journalism

HAROLD COOK MEMORIAL TROPHY – Sportsmanship

BEATRICE LYONS AWARD – School life & sports

MILTON WESLEY ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH #426 – Assistance to higher learning

NEWMARKET WOMEN’S CLUB AWARD – Canadian literature.

BETA SIGMA PHI AWARD – Character and Citizenship

NEWMARKET OPTOMIST CLUB AWARD – Community contribution

NEWMARKET KINETTE CLUB AWARD – Community contribution

YORK COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AWARD – Proficiency Prize

NEWMARKET TOWN COUNCIL – Proficiency prize

EAST GWILLIMBURY TOWNSHIP COUNCIL – Proficiency prize

WHITCHURCH – STOUFFVILLE COUNCIL – Proficiency prize.

 

REFERENCES

“History of the TOWN OF NEWMARKET”  chapter 29. by Mrs. Ethel Trewhella

Documentary History of Education in Upper Canada    1841-1843.

Report of Newmarket Grammar School

Provincial Archives, Records in County Registry Office.

Records of Inspector — Department of Education.

Public School Records.

Minutes of Newmarket Council.

York County Council by—laws.

Newmarket *ERA” miscellaneous items 1893 thru 1979.

High School Magazine  and GOLD” .

High School Yearbooks “PHOENIX”

Mr. Elman Campbell — Pres. Newmarket Historical Society

 

Note:  This paper is copyrighted by Mr. George Luesby 1981