<Begin Segment 4>

REM: Did you find a big difference in Renton Junior High School from Elliott School?

RTM: Well, of course, the Elliott was such a small school. We had, I think we had about twenty-nine kids in the whole (school), and that was all eight grades in Elliott. And each row that, in the school, was, the first grade was in the lower grades and the smaller seats, and as each row progressed up the line -- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on. And so when you have only twenty-nine kids in the whole school, you get to junior high school down in Renton, I mean, it's quite a big change as far as numbers are concerned.

REM: Your older sister was a brilliant student.

RTM: Yes, she was. She graduated Renton High School in 1938 as a valedictorian. And as I mentioned to you before, I think that's where all the intelligence stopped because it never rubbed off on me at all. [Laughs]

REM: But at Renton Junior High School you had separate classes...

RTM: Yes.

REM: ...for three years. And it was sort of departmentalized schoolwork. Did you like school?

RTM: I enjoyed it, yes. Uh-huh.

REM: Even without recess?

RTM: Well, even without being too smart. [Laughs] I enjoyed it.

REM: What did you like best in school, do you remember?

RTM: Well, of course, I like history and mathematics, I think was kind of my long suits, but I never excelled in either one. [Laughs]

<End Segment 4> - Copyright © 2000 Densho. All Rights Reserved.