The first four published yearbooks (1947-48, 1948-49, 1949-50, 1950-51) describe in detail the initiation that the grade 9 students had to endure at the hands of the senior students. The recorded descriptions of the initiation activities illustrate that the students were at times embarassed by the well orchestrated events, but overall they did find the initiation to be a lot of fun.
The 1947-48 student council formed a committee to plan and organize the events. First of all, the grade 9s were made to dress up in outlandish uniforms. The girls wore overalls that were several sizes too large; a pyjama top that was worn backwards; their hair was tied in eight pig-tails using ribbons of contrasting colours, and they carried dolls in place of their books. The boys were clad in short skirts, cut well above the knee, wore red leggings, a blouse, and a women's bonnet, as well as girls' earrings.. The girls were not allowed to wear makeup, while the boys smeared their faces with cosmetics and wore earrings to top it off.
The grade 9 students were paraded through each of the school rooms (a total of about 5 rooms at the time), and were greated with applause, laughter and a deluge of smart remarks from senior students.
To further bring attention to the grade 9 students, the initiation committee had obtained permission from the principal (Mr. Wood) and the Dryden mayor (Mayor Dutton in 1947) to have the students march down King street to the "Dairy Bar". Upon the arrival back to the school the remainder of the students sang the school song
The next year (1948-49) an expanded initiation is recorded where the students were
"surrounded and inspected by the laughing seniors" before the start of the school day.
Upon the ringing of the nine o'clock school bell, the grade 9s were made to walk on "hands
and knees, under the laboratory tables to the annex and then to their classrooms."
Please see the Van Horne Continuation School Buildings for a description of the annex
During the entire day, the students were not allowed to talk amongst themselves. However,
when they met a senior, the victims, on hands and knees, repeated the following poem:
During that evening, a dance in honour of the freshman was held at the Canteen.
The 1949-1950 and the 1950-1951 yearbooks also discuss the Grade 9 inititation in detail. The boys were made to dress as girls, with mascara and high heeled shoes. The girls wore oversized clothing, and foot attire that consisted of one large army boot and one low rubber boot. The 1950-1951 Argosy goes interestingly recordes that a "Freshie Queen" was choosen by the teachers. More to come.. Inititation in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and how grade 9 inititation was discontinued by then principal Mr. Rick Victor.