I 3
1925
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3
MAY8
The ChemawaAmerican
Printed at Chemawa, Oregon, and Devoted to the Interests of Indian Education
Vol. XXVI
Wednesday, February 25, 1925
CHOOSE GOOD COMPANIONS
Young people, the influence of your companions
mark out your course very largely for good or bad—
mar or help you. Most young people are what their
companions make them. The characters of the ma
jority are formed largely by accident, not by mature
purpose. Nearly every failure we see is caused by the
influence of others. It is hard to find a young man
or woman who has failed—a social or moral wreck—
but their misfortune can be attributed to the influence
of a false or misguided friend. Companionship is a
leading force in life.
Every boy and girl of health and spirit has a
friend. These friends are of two kinds—the helpful
and the hurtful. Rare it is that the influence of an
other lacks power. It is natural for a boy or girl to
like some one, desire them as a companion to run with
and in whom they may confide. It is as natural for
each young person at Chemawa and elsewhere to like
another and desire to be with them as it is for them to
breathe. It is likewise quite as natural for a young
person to absorb from that companion whatever good
or bad he has to give off. All men and women who
remember their school days need not be told that the
influence of a chance companion, picked up at school
or elsewhere, may strike deeper and last longer than
the thousand times reiterated advice of father or mother,
or teachers, disciplinarians, matrons, or others. Why,
there has hardly ever been a boy or girl expelled from
school but they were started on the down grade
through the influence of a bad companion.
All this is a queer phase of human nature, but it is
true, and, being true, must be reckoned with at Che
mawa as at other places in our plans for upbuilding.
The point we wish to make is that the wise boy or
girl will be very careful with whom they choose to
chum. When youth grows older it is easier to dis
criminate in the selection of associates.
While at Chemawa, young friends, your characters
will be formed. During the period of from 12 to 20
years of age, when your nature is plastic and impres
sions form easily and quickly, companions come main
ly by pure chance. The real time to select and dis
criminate is right at the start. We truly believe that
as much hangs upon what kind of a boy, what kind of
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a girl, you select to run with and take deep into your
inner life and confidence, as upon practically all other
kinds of influences.
Associations will form on the line of natural selec
tion. We have never observed a case where advice
has been effective in regard to the selection of a friend.
The boy or girl of impure habits will usually mingle
with those of the same trend. Birds of a color flock
together.
What is wanted at our school, what is necessary
everywhere, trustworthiness and reliability, is an in
fluence for good, and by manly or womanly independ
ence, backed by sound judgment and common sense,
each one of our young people can have proper com
panions. Hunt for a boy or girl who has aspirations
and ideals. If such a kind does not turn up, hunt them
up. You will find that such a one wants you, for
friendships of the higher sort are, as a matter of fact,
not so common. After you form a companionship,
cultivate and elevate the friendship. Help each other
in every little thing that builds up manhood and wo
manhood. Encourage each other to despise the shift
less, the mean, the unclean.
Surprisingly quick others will see this type of man
hood and womanhood, which after all is most attractive
to young people, and you will be the nucleus of an
ever-widening group. By so doing you will make
sure of your own character and become an influence
for the good of others and in due time take your place
in the company of the world’s helpers.
DETAIL FOR WEEK
Sunday escort for girls, March 1
McBride Hall
Winona Hall
Teacher No. 14
Gardener
Laborer
Prin. Home Economics
Chaperone girls to Salem, Feb. 28
House Mother Small Boys
Visitors to societies, Feb. 27
Nonpareil—Blacksmith
Winona—1st asst. H. M. Winona
Reliance—Carpenter
Excelsior—Superintendent
No. 1—Prin. Home Economics
No. 2—Laundress
No. 3—Cook
No. 4—Teacher No. 10