<Begin Segment 20>
MN: Now let me go back to your grammar school days. From Jefferson Davis Elementary, did you go straight to high school or was there a junior high school?
AS: No, I went straight to high school. (No middle school).
MN: What was your high school called?
AS: McDonough High School. That's where they had the riots after that, a few years ago in Louisiana. And it was one of those... it's changed. The whole area has changed.
MN: Is it still unisex like when you were going?
AS: I don't know. Probably so, the whole area's completely different.
MN: So you mentioned, of course, earlier, that it was all girls. Were there any other Asian Americans?
AS: Oh, no, none. In fact, I don't even remember a Chinese. Strange.
MN: How did you get along with the students and teachers?
AS: I got along very well.
MN: Did you have a favorite subject?
AS: English and science. I don't really recall. I was in the student orchestra, I remember that.
MN: What did you play?
AS: Violin.
MN: What were some of the highlights of being part of the orchestra?
AS: Highlights?
MN: Did you get to go to other schools and perform there?
AS: (...) We did perform in the all-city concert. (...)
MN: What year did you graduate from high school?
AS: 1950.
MN: What was your graduation ceremony like? Did you wear a cap and gown?
AS: Well, because I was in the orchestra we had to play and all the girls wore evening gowns. (...)
MN: Do you regret not being able to march up the aisle?
AS: No, it didn't bother me a bit.
MN: Where did you get your evening gown?
AS: Well, that's another thing. My sister in Buffalo made it for me, and I just looked in a magazine and I said this is what I wanted. I sent it to her and she did it all by mail. I don't know how she did it, but she got the material, exactly what I wanted. So it was pretty good.
MN: I want you to brag a little bit, and can you share with us what award you received at graduation?
AS: In high school?
MN: Uh-huh.
AS: I don't recall.
MN: The Bausch and Lomb award?
AS: Oh, that's a science award. (...) I received a plaque, I remember, a little tiny plaque.
MN: What kind of graduation present did you get from your family?
AS: I don't know.
MN: Your brother-in-law James Fujitani?
AS: Oh, he sent me a ticket to Los Angeles.
MN: What was that trip like?
AS: It was interesting, just like (...) in the movies, I was able to sit in the dining car. I'll never forget that little red rose on the white tablecloth, and being waited on by a black conductor. That was very interesting. Because (if) you see (it) in the movies, (now riding), but it was (forty)-eight hours. (...) Forty-eight hours. The ninety-eight was the name of the train, I think. I was eighteen then (...).
MN: Big difference from when you were sent to Arkansas.
AS: Oh, (yes). (...)
MN: Going back to New Orleans, New Orleans is of course known for Mardi Gras. When did you attend your first Mardi Gras party?
AS: When I was in school, my friend (...), she came from a French family. (Her) grandmother was the sweetest (...) thing. They (made our) costumes. We were Pirouettes and both of us went (to) Canal Street. In those days it was very safe, and we had lots of fun. Of course I met Hedda Hopper, and I took her picture. And people said, "Well, who's Hedda Hopper?" But it was a thrill for me. (Hedda Hopper was a Hollywood movie columnist).
MN: You also got to see your first opera there. What was that like?
AS: Yes. I saw Carmen, and I saw real live horses come on stage, (which) impressed me. That was our one and only auditorium, which we called the municipal auditorium (...). I was really sold on opera then.
MN: And you got to meet Eugene Ormandy. How did you get to meet him?
AS: (...) I was listening to the radio, and (the station) wanted people (and) students, to write in about whatever we felt listening to. So I turned it in, and came up with the second prize. We (were able) to meet Eugene Ormandy.
MN: What was he like?
AS: (...) I was just impressed with the fact that he was a great conductor.
<End Segment 20> - Copyright © 2012 Densho. All Rights Reserved.