Oral history interviews with Irma Varela conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 04, 2018 and March 05, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In these interviews, Varela talks about her upbringing in Zacatecas, Mexico, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989, and how religion has affected her life. She also describes her work as the Cultural Program Supervisor at Winchester Community Center, and her career in preserving Hispanic cultural traditions in Las Vegas. Varela talks about being an active leader in local Las Vegas organizations and events such as the Mexico Vivo Dancing Company, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, and the International Food and Folklife Festival.
Oral history interview with Frankie Perez conducted by Elsa Lopez and Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 05th, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Perez speaks about the importance of sports, and the lack of Latinx representation in teachers during high school. Perez then discusses being placed on medical hold in the military, how his transition affected his physical tests, how the 2016 election may have impacted transgendered people in the military, and how everyday military personnel feel about transgendered people serving in the military. The interview concludes with Perez discussing the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgendered, and Queer (LGBTQ) scene in Las Vegas, Nevada and about how culture impacts which clubs members of LBGTQ community would visit.
Oral history interview with Arturo Ochoa conducted by Monserrath Hernández on April 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Ochoa discusses his early life in Greenfield, California and Tucson, Arizona. He talks about his experience with racial stereotypes, discrimination, and his initial interest in education. Ochoa recalls becoming an educator, teaching in a sixth grade center on the Westside of Las Vegas, and integration for Clark County School District (CCSD) schools. Ochoa remembers co-founding Foundation to Assist Young Musicians (FAYM), and launching Violins for Kids. Lastly, Ochoa discusses the challenges that special needs Latinx students face, and how special needs programs disproportionately consist of students of color.
Oral history interview with Ferren Bunker conducted by Debra Leu on July 02, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bunker discusses early above-ground atomic tests, the economy, employment, environmental changes, life during World War II, and his heritage as a native Nevadan pioneer.
Oral history interview with Irving Kirshbaum conducted by Cheryl Rogers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Kirshbaum discusses the Riviera Hotel where he began working in 1955. He also talks about the landscape of the Las Vegas Strip in the 1950s, and the state of gambling, comps, customer service, and dealer training. Kirshabum discusses the treatment of minorities at the Riviera and in Las Vegas, Nevada generally.
Oral history interview with Walter V. Long conducted by Tracy Tillander on March 24, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Long discusses his experiences as a high school grammar teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Las Vegas, Nevada. Long also discusses his early life and teaching in Pioche, Nevada; Panaca, Nevada; and Tonopah, Nevada.
Oral history interviews with Sig Rogich conducted by Linda McSweeney on September 30, 2014 and November 07, 2014 and by Claytee D. White on May 24, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Rogich opens his interview by briefly discussing his Icelandic background and his family's move to Henderson, Nevada in 1954. He then discusses doing odd jobs as a child and his life as a youth in Henderson. He talks about his college education and working at the Lake Tahoe Hotel after college. Rogich then discusses getting into political campaign management, and how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed over time. In his second interview, Rogich describes his efforts to improve the community through the Academic Foundation, an organization he founded, and their various campaign initiatives including preserving Lake Tahoe and supporting Opportunity Village. In the third interview, Rogich discusses his background in politics, as well as his efforts to give back to the Las Vegas community. He has served on executive and advisory boards for Opportunity Village, Public Education Foundation, Board of Trustees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Board of Governors of Valley Health System, to name a few. He closes the interview with recalling his proudest moment in 2000 when the Sig Rogich Middle School opened in Summerlin.
Oral history interview with Glenn Shaw conducted by Shirley Leavitt on February 05, 2004 for the History of the Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Shaw discusses moving to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1977, where he purchased an acre of land for $4,000. He also discusses his role in funding the construction of Avery Road in Blue Diamond Village in 1978. He highlights the changes in the Village between the 1980s and 2000s, namely the changes to the Blue Diamond mine, the library, and telephone lines.
Oral history interview with Albert Datke conducted by Joe Toscano on Octocber 2, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. He discusses atomic testing, economic and environmental changes, and getting to shake hands with President Eisenhower when he visited Las Vegas, Nevada. A Mormon and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mr. Datke discussed having an active church and religious life, including serving as financial clerk and historian clerk for the church.
Oral history interview with Susan Fine conducted by Cecillia Boland on February 18, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fine discusses her family background and moving to Boulder City, Nevada, and then later moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses the educational system, church involvement, mercury test site, Howard Hughes’ impact to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Boulder (Hoover) Dam.