The Chemawa American, June 12, 1918, Page 7, Image 7

T
T H E C H E M A W A A M E R IC A N
V A LED D ICTO R Y
C a th e rin e R e e d
*1 here are times in the experiences of everyone when
“ Farewell” seems the saddest of all words. There
are other times when around this sadness there lingers
a touch of golden hope and joy, and today is one of
those times of mixed emotions.
M e, the class of ’ 18, have now closed an eventful
year of work, during which we have made good prog­
ress in our studies and industrial training. Each
recitation has made us stronger and better and each
new subject in turn has developed our mental faculties.
In looking back we have only to regret that the past
cannot return.
Chemawa, our Alma Mater, deserves the earnest sup­
port of all, because of what the institution is accom­
plishing in educating the young people of our race.
The joys and privileges of being one of her students
will ever be remembered by us, for we have spent
many pleasant and profitable hours.
Superintendent H all— to you and Mrs. Hall, who
has truly been a dear mother to us, we tender our
sincerest thanks for the many encouragements you
gave us and for your earnest efforts to maintain for
us the pleasant relations here, for when a student is
surrounded by comfort and plenty, progress is more
rapid.
Dear schoolmates, it is my lot to bid you, in the
name of the class of ’ 18, a “ good-by.” W e are soon
to separate, but we shall ever bear tender recollections
of our school days here. A t this point we wish to pay
public tribute to the more than a hundred Che­
mawa boys who have shown their courage and patri­
otism in responding to our nation’s call.
T o you, dear teachers, who have worked so faith­
fully with us, we are exceedingly grateful. The
hour is at hand when the pleasant relations we have
developed must be suspended. T his is an occasion
to which we have looked forward with joy, but now
that it has come w’e feel regret. W e rejoice that the
time has come when you deem us competent to be
graduated; we regret that the associations of the
schoolroom and industrial departments must cease to
exist except in fond recollections. Although we may
never again be placed in the relation of teacher and
pupil, distance and time will fail to erase you from
our memories, for in each we found a friend and
counselor. W e aie unable to render compensation to
you for your zeal and faithfulness, but as you have
been faithful to us, so will we be faithful to others.
Your example shall be our guiding star.
We wish you to feel assured that you will always
be preserved in our memories, and we, as your affec­
tionate pupils, beg that as you think of us, you re­
member only our virtues. M ith sincerest wishes
that He, who is the author of all good, will grant
you His choicest blessings, we bid you all an affec­
tionate farewell.
And now, my dear classmates, comes the sad duty
of reminding you that our final separation must take
place. Well do we rememer that autumn when, with
18 loyal members, this class was first organized. Now,
as our gaze wanders over the faces of the class we see
that a number of its members are missing, but in their
places we have the stais in our service flag.
Lingering around this altar of friendship, together
with the memories of those who are absent, we hardly
realize that the time has come when we, as the class
of ’ 18, separate forever. Though, by chance, we
may all meet again, it will never be the same. As we
pass out where duty calls us let us see that the class
of ’ 18 furnishes no drones in the great hive of human
industry. M ith that nobie purpose which is born of
true genuineness of character, and that inflexible de­
termination which knows no failure, let us pass out
the gate that now opens and enter into the field of
life s activities. Now that our school days at Che­
mawa are over sad indeed is the thought that all our
sw’eet relations as classmates must be severed, and the
pleasant intercourse that existed between us and our
instructors and school friends must be broken. In
going forth, my dear classmates, let that motto which
is inscribed in red and black, mark our efforts and
conduct. Let us each act our parts as noble men and
women, that w’hen we finish life’s journey, each may
truly say, “ I Have Lived for Service.”
TH E G IR LS’ OCTETTE
Early in February last, on the initiative of Supt.
Hall, there was organized at Chemawa a G irls’ O c­
tette — a party of vocalists. Miss Gertrude Biewer
was the teacher and pianist of the organization and
her energy and interest, together with the splendid
talent of the girls, made this one of our foremost— if
not the foremost— musical attractions of our school.
The first public appearance of the Octette girls was
on the 22nd of February— W ashington’s Birthday.
Ih is was after a series of but comparatively few re­
hearsals and it was at once apparent that the girls
had a fine future in the field of vocal art. From that
date until after our commencement was over never a
week passed but this body of singers contributed one
or more numbers for the pleasure of our people and
our guests. This has meant a tremendous amount of
work for both the girls and their teacher, but it was
given, and the results fully justified the expenditure
of time devoted to the rehearsals necessary.
Several weeks ago the Octette girls sang publicly in
Salem and created an absolute surprise of a most
pleasing character. The papers spoke highly of them
and their art. Their appearance in the capital city
more than justified our hopes and pride. They also
were one our most pleasing attractions during
commencement
and their contributions were a
a joyous surprise to the large crowds present on
the occasions on which they sang. The girls are of
splendid talent and have, by their art, given more
pleasure than they realize and thanks are due them
The personnel of the Octette is as follows: Agnes
Swanson and Rose Deschamp, 1st sopranos; Mae
Adams and Sarah Adams, 2nd sopranos; Rose O ’Brien
and Marie Shaishnikoff, 1st altos; Mary Motanic and
Julia Gromoff, 2nd altos.