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The Chemawa American
Printed at Chemawa,
Vol. XXVII
Oregon, and Devoted to the interests of Indian Education
Wednesday, January 6, 1926
THE HOLIDAYS AT CHEMAWA
Educational, Social and Athletic Features Contribute to a
Great Series of Entertainment—The Mid-Winter
Holidays Made Pleasing and Memorable by
Many Functions of Varying Character
The holidays are past—just a pleasant memory of
the last few days of 1925. All of Chemawa shared in
the joys of the Yule Tide season and “peace on earth,
good will to men, ’ ’ was in evidence on all sides. From
beginning to end it was a season of joy that will never
be forgotten.
It is impossible to say with any degree of accuracy
just when the “spirit of Christmas’’ first appeared at
Chemawa, but we recall quite clearly that shortly after
school began last fall Supt. Hall and a few of his loyal
aids began to devise ways and means to raise the money
necessary to finance our Christmas. This really
marked the advent of the “spirit of Christmas” at Che
mawa in 1925.
According to our schedule of events the first thing
to be featured was a cantata, “The Night Before
Christmas,’’ presented by pupils of the primary and
prevocation al grades. It was given on Wednesday
evening, December 23rd, and was under the direction
of Miss Judd. It was in every way pleasing and
Miss Judd was amply repaid for her long siege of drill
with her young charges. It proved a fine launching
of the events of Christmas.
On Thursday, December 24, both forenoon and
afternoon, various classes in the academic department
had “class trees’’ and all enjoyed themselves im
measurably. In the evening there were trees laden
with gifts in certain of the dormitories. Joy and
mirth were unconfined.
At four o’clock on Christmas morning Mrs. Turney
and the members of her choir were abroad and singing
the beautiful Christmas carols, bringing “Joy to the
World.’’ Various buildings about the campus were
visited by the singers and the singing was beautiful.
We’ve heard many compliments on it.
Promptly at 5 o’clock the choir repaired to the Cath
olic chapel, where they sang while Father Gall said
early mass and gave communion. This was followed
by more Christmas tree events and presentations of
No. 15
presents—then came breakfast, which, however, owing
to the high tension of the nerves of the students was
not partaken of in the usual hearty manner. The
students were so full of joy that they did not care to
eat.
Promptly at noon Supt. Hall signaled the orchestra
and to the strains of a stirring march the entire student
body marched into the dining hall to partake of the
Christmas feast—and it was a feast, too! A fine and
abundant “spread” greeted our students, who did full
justice to it. During the meal the employes, following
the custom of former years, acted as waiters and wait
resses and the orchestra provided music during the
entire time.
At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the members of the
literary societies put on a number of sport events that
proved decidedly interesting. According to reports
to reach us the Reliance boys triumphed over the
Excelsiors by a good score, but a tie is reported between
the Nonpareils and Winonas—girls’ teams.
In the evening, at seven oclock, there was a recep
tion in the gym given by the McNary Hall boys and
the large Mitchell Hall boys to the girls of McBride
Hall and the large girls of Winona Hall. This proved
a most pleasing social feature in every way—a big
time for all. Quite a number of employes were in
attendance as invited guests. At the proper time all
repaired to quarters and so ended the joyous Christ
mas Day.
On Saturday evening our basketball team competed
on the home floor with representatives from Franklin
High School of Portland. This proved a mighty
interesting contest and it was won by our boys, the
score being 32 to 25—a hard-fought-for victory.
On Sunday morning, December 27th, at 9 o’clock,
the regular inspection of quarters occurred. At 10
o’clock there were the Catholic and Protestant religious
services as usual.
At seven o’clock in the evening the choir put on
what may be termed a pageant which was symbolic of
many historical events in the life of Jesus Christ. Mrs.
Turney and Miss White had the affair in charge, but
they voice their thanks to many other employes
who so freely assisted them. This is a feature of our
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