<Begin Segment 8>

AL: When you got there, did you go to school? I don't know what month you arrived, but did you go to school?

SO: Yes, I started first grade in camp, but I didn't speak any English, so I had a difficult time.

AL: Who was your teacher?

SO: Well, I remember a Miss Ishida, Seiko Ishida, both she and her father were in camp. And I know, I'm always... feel grateful to her because she tutored me a lot so that I could catch up, because I had no English skills at all.

AL: How was Dee's English as a child?

SO: Well, she had already been in school, so I guess it was okay. She was very bright, so I don't think, she didn't have too much trouble catching up.

AL: What was the age difference between you?

SO: Four years.

AL: Four years.

SO: Uh-huh. So she had already gone through maybe third grade.

AL: Was she, in your life in Manzanar and starting school, was she an active big sister in terms of walking you to school and being with you, or were you pretty much on your own?

SO: No, she took care of me pretty well.

AL: What was she like as a child?

SO: Quiet, studious, that's about it.

AL: Yeah, what about you?

SO: Maybe mischievous.

AL: In what way? Can you give me some examples of being mischievous?

SO: No, but I remember my mother always having to scold me, just little things, I think.

AL: Mas says you were spoiled, is that true?

SO: He wasn't there, he doesn't know.

AL: [Laughs] I think anybody who was flattening his teacher's tires shouldn't be criticizing you.

SO: I know, really. Really. [Laughs]

AL: So when you were going to school, was Dee in a classroom near you?

SO: No, no, because she sat with the first grade, she's fourth grade.

AL: Right, but then at first, my understanding is before they consolidated the school into Block 16, they had people in different buildings all over the place.

SO: No, I don't remember that, then.

AL: Where she was going?

SO: Yeah, I don't remember that.

AL: Do you remember your classroom? Did you have desks?

SO: Yes, tables, chairs, but I don't remember too much of the physical layout of the school.

AL: Did you have any subjects you liked more than others?

SO: Oh, I had difficulty in all subjects. [Laughs] Especially without speaking any English, you know.

AL: How long did it take until you felt like you were speaking English properly?

SO: Maybe after the second grade.

AL: Did you find your teachers pretty patient?

SO: I don't remember the names, but two teachers were Caucasian, and then I had Miss Yoshida. I think I felt comfortable with her.

AL: What about with the Caucasian teachers?

SO: Well, I had never really had any contact with Caucasians, so I think at first I was kind of intimidated, but then I grew to like them.

<End Segment 8> - Copyright © 2013 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.