Visiting Le Pera Elementary School

.....April 6, 2018 in Poston, Arizona.....

 The former site of Poston camp 2 during WW II. 
Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Old school gym at Poston camp 2.  
Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Arrival at Le Pera Elementary School. 
Photo credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

Meeting in the Le Pera Elementary School Office with Principal Brian Wedemeyer before the early morning school assembly. Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

I learned of the very first visit by the former Poston detainees, involving the local Baptist Church. The event has been preserved on video. Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Excellent introduction by the school principal, Brian Wedemeyer.  He spoke to his students about what happened during WW II when people of Japanese ancestry from the west coast states were incarcerated at Poston, Arizona. Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Grades K-8 in attendance. Everyone wanted to attend!

Photo credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

 Marion (Nakamura) Masada attended the Poston camp 2 elementary school when she was 9 years old. She became a Girl Scout and loved to read books.

Photo credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

  Bob Shintaku, born in Poston, Arizona, spoke of his painful experience being introduced to his first school class in Texas after leaving the camp. He spoke of being treated as a living example of the poster below. Photo credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

 Listening to a very emotional story. 

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Reverend Saburo Masada
Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

  Dianne Kiyomoto helps to answer the children's questions. 

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Waving back to the children as they leave the assembly.

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

All smiles now. Assembly done.

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Tour of the school campus. Outdoor hand-washing station.

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Leaving the school and the children behind.

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Next up: The Poston Pilgrimage begins tomorrow!
Kimberly's selfie

......AFTER THE 2018 POSTON PILGRIMAGE ON APRIL 7, 2018......

 The Poston Community Alliance purchased some children's books for the La Pera Elementary School Library with donations for the Poston maps from Pilgrimage attendees. Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo

Marlene Shigekawa donated a copy of her book, "Welcome Home Swallows" a touching story of a Japanese-American family torn apart by WW II. 

Photo credit: Kimberly Mayo