Oral history interview with Ernest Oon conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Jerwin Tiu on February 16, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Oon recalls his childhood in Singapore, where his father worked on the Health and Sports Council for the Singaporean Government and his mother worked as a television assistant producer. Growing up, Oon recalls being very active, participating in everything from soccer to Tae Kwon Do. In an effort to continue his education without being being interrupted by Singapore's civil service program, Oon applied to college in the United States and ended up attending California State University. Although he was on the medicine track in Singapore, he switched to finance. After a series of jobs within credit banking, he is now a chief credit officer for Bank of Nevada. Throughout the interview, Oon reflects on the changes in his life living in different places, the street food from Singapore, and his unique tennis game.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joe Pursell conducted by Michael Sarabyn on June 24, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Pursell reflects upon his career as a teacher, counselor, and school administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses his experiences as a teacher in the 1960s, challenges that he faced, and his approach to education. He also discusses his experiences with school integration, describes his regular responsibilities and challenges, and discusses his working relationship with other teachers and administrators throughout the school district.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thalia Dondero conducted by Claytee D. White on 2014 March 6 and April 2 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In her interview Dondero discusses community organizing in early Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. Dondero also talks about her time in the state legislature.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Trish Geran conducted by Claytee D. White on April 14, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview Trish Geran discusses her early life in Las Vegas, Nevada's historic Westside neighborhood, attending Catholic schools, and the feelings of not belonging that shaped her world view: she was different from her white, wealthy schoolmates, and as a private school student she was different from her neighbors. Trish also discusses her life in politics and activism.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Paul Garbiso conducted by Tammy Wallace on February 15, 2005 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Garbiso reflects upon his career with the Pueblo School District in Colorado from 1978 to 1998, and his role as an administrator with the Clark County School District from 1998 into the 2000s. He discusses his principalship at Rancho High School, and describes how his life experiences influenced his approach to school administration. He reflects upon the more successful parts of his educational training, and offers suggestions for individuals interested in school administration.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Delon Potter conducted by Eleanor Christoffersen on February 3, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this brief interview, Potter, a Mesquite, Nevada native, talks about his birth in 1909 and his move to Las Vegas in 1933. He describes the early town and some of the more notable inhabitants including "Pop" Squires, working at the Winterwood Ranch at the base of Sunrise Mountain, as a sheep herder near Kaolin, Nevada, and later as a construction worker at the Hoover Dam. After the war, Potter explains that he tried running his own ranch in Utah before moving back to Henderson, Nevada, working for U. S. Lime and trading horses throughout Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gayle Wallace conducted by Steven Stover on February 13, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Wallace begins by describing his father's career as a mechanic working on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wallace then describes moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada, what life was like in the developing city, and living in a tent. He talks about his career as a floral designer, how Las Vegas has changed, and recreational activities in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard E. Strahlem conducted by Jacqueline R. Hall on March 12, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Strahlem discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958 in search of job opportunities. Strahlem then describes the local businesses that he worked with and recalls the competitive nature of gambling. Strahlem later discusses the construction of McCarren International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lonnie Pittman conducted by Beverly Williams on March 16, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Pittman, an African American man, describes the treatment and living conditions of African Americans in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1950s. Pittman also discusses the job opportunities available to African Americans, segregation, and the quality of schooling available to African American children at the time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Allen Sharpe conducted by Patricia Holland on May 10, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sharpe discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1929 and moving into one of the first homes in North Las Vegas. He then talks about the expansion of West Las Vegas and the increase of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Lastly, Sharpe discusses his job as a painter and recalls experiences in the painting business.
Archival Collection