<Begin Segment 4>

RP: And what schools did you attend?

TM: See, I graduated in 1942 but I wasn't able to get my diploma because we, you know, I was banned from... the curfew. But I went to Hillsboro schools, grade school and junior high and high school.

RP: How about you, Aya?

AF: I just finished my freshman year at Hillsboro and then I went to Nyssa High School, graduated there.

RP: What was the racial composition of the school system, you mentioned there weren't too many Japanese Americans.

TM: No, very few.

RP: I assume there weren't very many in school.

AF: Probably just another family.

TM: Yes, oh, very few.

RP: So how were you treated?

TM: Oh, very well, yes. In fact, there was one other Japanese fellow that... a family and he was star of basketball player and then he held student body.

RP: What types of religious activities, school activities or sports were you involved in before the war broke out?

TM: Well, I was involved in like YWCA groups and pep club. I wasn't very smart but then I liked to have good time. [Laughs]

RP: How about you, Aya?

AF: Well, since I was just a freshman I just remember that I was a secretary for the freshman class which was quite an honor for me and other than that, we went on... in fact, school wasn't over yet when we had to move.

RP: One of you was involved in a 4H club, weren't you?

TM: I was a 4H, were you in 4H?

AF: Yes, I was in 4H and I remember making muffins.

TM: Oh, yes.

AF: And I was so embarrassed... what it looked like.

RP: Did you... when I hear 4H I associate with raising animals.

TM: Isn't that something, no, it was all --

RP: Home economics?

TM: Yes, more economics yes.

RP: Oh, interesting. What kind of religious background did your parents and you have?

AF: Well, our parents were Buddhist and whenever they had their meetings or monthly gatherings, we went along because they always served cookies and I remember that was why we went but we didn't understand a thing they were saying.

TM: 'Cause it was all in Japanese.

AF: Yes, we went through the rituals of the gongs and all that kind of stuff, but I know we just went for the refreshments.

TM: And they would gather in homes like our home was often a place where the neighboring, I mean, the Japanese would come.

RP: Was there a Buddhist temple in the area or was that nearest one in Portland?

AF: No.

TM: No, we had to go into Portland.

<End Segment 4> - Copyright © 2010 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.