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Carolyn Sparks oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview With Carolyn Sparks conducted by Claytee D. White on June 7, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sparks describes her childhood growing up in Overton, Nevada where her father worked as a mining engineer. Later the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her father invested in the El Cortez and Showboat hotels. Sparks received a degree from the University of California, Berkeley before returning to Las Vegas to work at an insurance company, where she met her husband, Kenneth.

Jon Cobain oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jon Cobain conducted by Claytee D. White on March 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cobain describes his childhood growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and living in a trailer while his father built the family's home. Cobain is the first graduate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), as he walked across the stage first, thus becoming the first to receive a degree from UNLV. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in business, Cobain attended Northwestern for graduate school.

Diana Bennett oral history interviews

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Diana Bennett conducted by Claytee D. White on February 4, 2022 and April 16, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In these interviews, Bennett discusses growing up as the daughter of William "Bill" Bennett, the visionary behind Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, and the Sahara hotels. She recalls no one hiring her after dropping out of Arizona State University to pursue her passion of entering the gaming industry. Finally, Dick Thomas hired Bennett to work at the Flamingo.

Carolyn Hutcheson oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carolyn Hutcheson conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 2, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hutcheson, a native of Houston, Texas, discusses relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband Floyd in 1989. At the time, she worked for Quality Mechanical and later for the Perini Building Company when the Cosmopolitan was under construction. Throughout the interview, Hutcheson recalls what it was like making Las Vegas her home in the late 1980s. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Francis Oh Allen-Palenske oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview with Francis Oh Allen-Palenske conducted by Stefani Evans on June 30, 2022 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Francis describes her childhood growing up in Lousiana with a white father and Korean mother. She recalls the family relocating to Reno, Nevada in 1983 where Francis obtained her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1999. She describes serving as a staffer in Washington, D.C.

Maude Woo oral history interviews

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Maude Woo conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 11, 2007 and February 25, 2007 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In these interviews, Woo discusses her early childhood in Korea, taking care of her siblings, and difficult memories of war. Later, she discusses travelling to the United States and having foster parents, and going to college for nursing. She married her first husband and they had two sons, David and John.

Vincent Iokimo Souza oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview with Vincent Iokimo Souza conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on June 21, 2022 as part of the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Souza describes how his early childhood was spent deeply immersed in Hawaiian culture and tradition. He credits his early educators for inspiring his commitment to Hawaiian culture, which he continues to cultivate to this day. Souza earned his degree from the University of Hawaii while also working for a travel company.

Rona and David Mendelson oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rona and David Mendelson conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 26, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Rona and David Mendelson describe moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973 as a married couple and how they became board members of Congregation Ner Tamid, which led them to getting involved with the small and growing Jewish community. They discuss their activities and their current family ties within the Jewish community in Las Vegas.

Marclem Hernandez oral history interview

Abstract

Oral history with Marclem Hernandez conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Claytee D. White on June 30, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Hernandez begins the interview by describing the lengthy immigration process throughout his childhood that separated him from his mother for five years, as they lived in both the Manila, Philippines and Las Vegas, Nevada.

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