<Begin Segment 6>

TI: And when you think about those days, any memories in terms of what you did in terms of play or activities at the school?

MO: I had a teacher that really took me into her, you know, care. And she would invite me to her home after... and teach me American cooking. So I was so proud of all that. And at the same time, I can't remember whether that was later on, but the same teacher thought maybe I could write some articles for the activities, journalism, you know. She didn't use the word "journalism," but can't remember the word. But she said, "Muriel, why don't you make a report about the flower show we're going to have in a few weeks?" So I started to write, so I was a journalist for a while, and I enjoyed doing that. In fact, I became a, she made the contact with the Star-Bulletin, and I was the rural correspondent for Honolulu Star-Bulletin for some time.

TI: And the Star-Bulletin was, like, the major daily, one of the major dailies for Honolulu.

MO: That's right. I was really proud of that. I felt so good about it. [Laughs] And I used to write, she would give me the plant sale over in Wahiawa, and I would go and cover it. In fact, I used to cover what's his name... the baseball coach. I used to cover baseball games, too. And I enjoyed all that. I was a good reporter. [Laughs]

TI: And so were you, like, the only reporter there? And you would send, how would you send your materials to the Star-Bulletin?

MO: I had to send it to Donald William Walker, Star-Bulletin. You ever heard of that name?

TI: No.

MO: I still remember that name, Donald William Walker.

TI: So he must have been one of the editors?

MO: Yes, uh-huh. And then he would give me a byline, you know, in the newspaper. He said, "Muriel, you did a great job. I'm going to give you byline."

TI: Wow. And what grade were you in when this was happening?

MO: Gee. I wasn't quite in the, I think I was just beginning high school.

TI: And which high school did you go to?

MO: Leilehua High School. Wahiawa elementary, Wahiawa intermediate, and then Leilehua High School.

TI: And, you know, this teacher that sort of took her under, took you under her wing, do you remember her name?

MO: I'm not really sure.

TI: So I think, in my notes I have a Virginia...

MO: Oh, Virginia Summers?

TI: Yes. Is that the name?

MO: Yes.

TI: Okay.

MO: Good for you. [Laughs]

TI: So Virginia Summers, and she was also the same teacher who also taught you American cooking? Did she do that, too?

MO: I think she did, yeah, in between. She said, "Muriel, today I'll teach you how to cook something."

TI: I'm curious, do you recall what kind of cooking she taught you? When it's American cooking, what would that be?

MO: Oh, I can't remember. One of these days I'll remember. [Laughs]

TI: Okay.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright ©2009 Densho. All Rights Reserved.