Right the Wrongs: Awarding Japanese Internees their High School Diplomas

Vital Stats

Kristi A

Stockton, CA

  • people helped11
  • People Doing It20

The Problem

In 1942, all Japanese citizens (now called 'Nisei') were forced to live in internment camps under the Executive Order 9066. All were to abandon their homes, friends, belongings, and for the young adults during the time, their education. Many of the Nisei never received their high school diplomas even though they rightfully earned them. Some Nisei received their diplomas in the desert camps, behind barbed wire- a mere consolation prize of what a child should receive after their hard work in school. Last year I set out to give these Nisei their long-awaited diplomas, to give them a commencement ceremony they never were able to have, and to give them closure to a period in their life many of them try to forget.

Plan of Action

I first searched for the Nisei from the old Stockton High School of 1942. Because this high school is no longer existent, it was difficult to find the Nisei. I contacted the Japanese community, called one person who led to another until I found the Nisei. After compiling a sufficient list of eligible Japanese Americans, I proposed my idea to the Board of Education of the Stockton Unified School District (SUSD, which is the old Stockton High School) in order to allow issuance of legitimate diplomas and to integrate my commencement into another SUSD ceremony. After successfully passing my proposal with a seven to zero vote, I continued to find more Nisei. Because the topic of internment was a sensitive subject for the Nisei I located, it was extremely difficult to convince them that all I wanted to do was help and give to them what they deserved. For a period of time, I felt like giving up as many shut their doors because they did not want to be bothered with a, insignificant high school girl. Never losing sight of the reason I started my project, I continued and was able to find twenty-one Nisei (only 11 could be present at the ceremony due to physical ailments or their own grandchildren graduating high school). I worked on the logistics of the project with SUSD, organizing the decorations all the way to the program for commencement. I worked with my father to plan a reception before the ceremony and other people in the community who donated goods to help fund the costs. I was also the guest speaker for the young adults graduating and wrote a speech for the occasion. All details from invitations, food, caps and gowns, and the plannings were paid off when the Nisei walked across the stage to receive the diplomas.
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