<Begin Segment 12>

[Ed. note: This transcript has been edited by the narrator]

VY: So what other memories do you have of Wayne Collins? Did he ever give you any kind of words of encouragement?

YY: Did I what?

VY: Your relationship with Wayne Collins, did he ever mentor you or give you words of encouragement?

YY: Are you asking did he question me?

VY: Well, I'm wondering if he... it seems like he was very loyal to the people that worked for him, and I'm wondering if you ever had a time when you were, needed to make a big decision and he might have helped you with that? When you were going to college, maybe talk about college.

YY: College?

VY: Yeah, maybe talk about your college experience.

YY: I was working for him full-time and (taking my prerequisite course at) night classes so that I won't have to take it when I do go to college (full time). I did that for (four) years, and I was able to get accepted at San Jose (as a junior). My father passed away just around that time, and I didn't think I could afford to go and find a place to live. So I decided I was just going to work and stay with my mother or she would be alone. You know Chiyo Wada, she told Wayne Collins about me planning this, and so the first chance he got, he called me (into his office) and gave me this (stern) fatherly lecture and said, "No, you're going to finish school." So he wanted me to go home right now and pack a bag, and (get) down there and find a place to live, so I did. [Laughs]

VY: Wow, that's great.

<End Segment 12> - Copyright © 2021 Densho. All Rights Reserved.