Hardly back when we were treated to a holiday, Labor Day. The weather was most pleasant and seemed exactly suited to a boating expedition, so about ten o'clock we left on the "Miramichi" for Bushville, and enjoyed a beautiful sail on our lordly river.

Just as we were beginning to look forward with much pleasure to Reverend Mother's first visit to our classes, we were told that she had left for Montreal. We hoped for her speedy return, but it was not until November 1st, that we welcomed her back. On her first visit to the Boarding School, early in December, we asked and obtain leave to establish a very important and necessary department in our Academy precincts, namely a "Candy Store."

September 26^th-30^th

The long-anticipated and eventful week, at last arrived, and the bustle and commotion of preparation on the Exhibition grounds told its own tale. We had to be content just to listen to the music and the merriment from over the ramparts, and to watch the soaring aeroplane glide gently overhead, until Friday afternoon found us enjoying every feature of the Exhibition in the best of spirits.

During these days the Teachers’ Annual Institute was held in Chatham Grammar School. Of course this meant a couple holidays for us, and we were by no means sorry. A number of the girls went home for a few days, but others were requested to sacrifice that pleasure for the purpose of giving some entertainment to the assembled Teachers. The S.M.A. pupils of Grade VIII gave a very interesting lesson on Bank Discount.

During this period the S.M.A. girls became real politicians, by attending the speeches given by the leaders of both Parliamentary parties, and although the tariff question was rather too deep and complicated for us, we longed to be able to vote for the party that has favored woman suffrage. Needless to say that the result of the elections was carefully watched by us, and we more than rejoiced at the overwhelming majority won by Honorable W.L M. King.

We had believed that the magician existed only in Greek mythology, but on this particular afternoon we found out something to the contrary. He came from Toronto and spoke our language, and therefore was not a Greek. The three magic words " Columbus go away" and " Columbus come back", possessed great power. At the end of the demonstration we all felt as though we should like much better to learn that art than many branches of study in the curriculum.

December 12^th –14^th

These were days of very great excitement especially for the Boarding Pupils, the days of the Annual Christmas Fair. Then last of all the events of the old year, but best in every possible way to school girls, came the glorious "Homeward" journey for our Christmas Recess.

Dark and cloudy dawned this day, and it was doubly so to us, who now began our "School-ward" for the second, long term. It takes a large measure of energy flavored with earnestness to begin anew some arduous task, that had been relinquished for a period of pleasure. Such is the fate of the poor scholars returning to class after vacation.

One Wednesday afternoon we received an unexpected summons to the Assembly Hall where our Reverend Directress presented to us the idea of sacrificing our class-prizes this year, that the funds donated for them might go towards the building of St. Joseph's School for our little boys. Sister also informed us that the members of St. Michael's Academy Alumnae had offered to give a Medal to the pupil of Grade XI who should make the highest mark in the Matriculation Exams, of Grade X, for the highest in the I Class Entrance Papers and of Grade IX for highest in the II Class Entrance Papers.

We were agreeably surprised on January 22nd to see the Assembly Hall quite unexpectedly converted into a Chapel, and by the further announcement that we were to have our Annual Retreat, given by Reverend Father Cloran, Redemptorist from St. John. The beautiful sermons and instructions held the rapt attention of all, and were made doubly impressive by the clear and telling oratory of the Reverend Preacher. The lessons drawn from these sermons will ever remain dear to us, and must often be recalled to our minds by the little Souvenir cards, a gift from Reverend Mother.

When we resumed our studies after Christmas Recess, we had been informed by the Powers-that-be, of Reverend Mother's intention to pay the usual monthly visit, in order to ascertain our progress in study. Accordingly, one morning in January, Reverend Mother gently tapped at our classroom door, but at a most unusual time. After greeting her with a pleasant smile, we were invited to take our seats. A few words addressed to us, on the result of our Semi-annual examinations, which were not much to our credit, so it would be a pity to bring them to light. We were given to understand that very great things were expected of us in Grade IX, since the results of our Grade VIII year were so remarkable. The first part of the address, of course, counteracted all tendency to pride and vain glory which might have resulted from the latter.

Reverend Mother’s plan was soon laid before us, and it has been productive of much good in all the classes. The regular rounds of that "Little Red Book" at first caused great excitement; and now, if by chance some marks fall below the standard the thought of Reverend Mother’s "Little Red Book" is a great spur to the flagging energies.

A very important result of our Monthly concert in December, at least in our eyes, was the opening of our "Candy Store" for the first time, on Saturday. Needless to say, the Store is the scene of a very flourishing business, and S.M.A. girls now look upon Saturday as one of the brightest days of the week.

New floor in our Gymnasium, new methods in our physical drill, and a new Teacher, all tend to make that half hour almost more pleasant than it used to be, for we really did enjoy our fancy steps and folk-dances, with the military swing in every feature of the lesson.

The evening of the beautiful Feast of St. Joseph saw rows of white middy blouses and dark skirts lined up in the Assembly Hall of our Academy. The pupils great and small were gathered there to offer hearty congratulations and good wishes to our beloved Bishop. We had begun only a few weeks previous to prepare for this demonstration, and so we were very anxious that all the numbers of on our little program, especially the "Parable of the Ten Virgins" should prove a success, as it certainly did, if we judge from the congratulations of our good Pastor and Father.

A very important event, at least for the pupils of Grade IX, took place on the afternoon of this date, when six frightened young ladies sat at their places on the stage for their first debate. The subject, "Resolved that the Teaching profession offers greater advantages for the uplift of society then the Nursing Profession", drew a large audience, the majority of whom were teachers. Nevertheless there was nothing but a suppressed murmur of good-natured comments when the judges voted in favor of the negative.

On this day we were agreeably surprised by a visit from Reverend Father Fraser of the China Mission College. The High School pupils were assembled to hear the Reverend Father discourse on various phases of his nine years experience in the Chinese Missions. We carried away many interesting facts about those curious far-eastern people, whose habits and customs are so different from ours. At half past three in the afternoon, Reverend Father entertained the pupils of the Academy.

The afternoon of this day saw our Assembly Hall lined up with rows of pupils, boys and girls, in uniform, waiting with joyous and expectant faces, for the arrival of Reverend Mother, to whom we presented a Greeting Song and Address, at once appreciative and loving. A dainty little Bouquet of Prayers and Good Works was our offering of gratitude for Reverend Mother’s devoted interest in all that concerns us. We had, moreover, a pretty little surprise gift for her in the form of a beautiful gilt frame for a Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It was paid for by the funds raised in all the classes, through individual contributions. The picture itself was a gift of the Reverend Father Cloran, whose name appears elsewhere in these chronicles.

Norine Harquail,
Reporter.

Chronicled by the Pupils of Grade IX.

Valedictory

Read at Commencement Exercises, June 30, 1922
Mary Allen

Maidens standing with reluctant feet,
Where the brook and river meet.
-- Longfellow

How aptly do these words of the poet portray our feelings tonight.

Far up on some sunny hillside, or hidden away among the mosses of the mountain slopes, the brooklet first starts out on its course. Day by day, stronger grown, it ripples over the shining pebbles, and glistens in the sun’s pure ray, as it flows on in its crystal loveliness to meet the mighty river, whose strength can turn the wheels of commerce, and whose bosom oft’ bears many a burden of human freight.

We are now about to move onward to the great river of life. We shall soon take up our allotted share of the burdens of the world, and much course along on the bosom of its mighty stream, ‘neath leaden skies or gleaming rays, till we reach the broad and shoreless ocean of Eternity.

But as we glide into this new era of our life, we would glance back, if only for a moment, at those happy days of our young life, when we took our first tottering steps on the road to learning. Loving parents and kind devoted teachers hovered near us always, to clear the path and lighten the burdens. Thus with light and happy hearts, we threaded the mazes of Science and Literature, mid sunshine and shadow, yet ever, like the little brook, with unceasing flow and bubbling mirth.

What gratitude do we not owe those wise and loving guides of our school days. Most earnestly do we hope that their tireless energy and solicitude may be rewarded by an abundant fruition in the Great Harvest time. Ever and anon, as we journey onwards through life, the clarion call of our beloved Alma Mater, attuned by those who have lived their lives for us, will float to us over the surging waves, in pleading but persistent notes, "Onward and Upward," — "God and Duty," — "Onward to Duty" — "Upward to God."

How we would fain pierce the dim mist that enshrouds our future, and solve its deep mysteries! What may it hold for us in its hidden recesses? Priceless treasures, we know, and exhaustless riches, are buried there for us. Treasures whose beauty can never be tarnished by the slow decay of time; riches whose value must still remain, when time shall be no more. Knowledge holds the key to this vast domain of wealth; and knowledge bids us follow her to the very Throne of Truth itself.

Though we would perforce stay the fleeting moments, that now, almost ruthlessly speeding on their course, are bearing away the happy hours of our present, yet we may not linger on. But ere we pass through the portals of the future, let us wait to bid a heartfelt loving welcome to our beloved companions, the Graduates of 1922. May you, dear friends of our school-life, often cull the blossoms of success, and may their fragrance still float on the air, when the day of your Graduation dawns.

And now dear class-mates, let us voice our sad farewells. Here we have gathered for one last word and look of approbation from those whose every counsel and command we ever held most dear. We must now pass from beneath the sheltering influence of our Convent school, but not without the tender smile and parting word of blessing of those who have led us up to the goal of our desires; and who, we hope, will now bid us a loving "God be with you."

Then let us face the mist ahead; its gloom will soon disperse, brightening the road whose long stretch lies before us. Let us shoulder our little burdens with a hearty good will, and toil bravely on, till

"We wake from Earth’s vain dreaming,
And behold God’s light a-streaming,
On the Great Commencement Day."