Student Essays

By Camille Daw,  Friends of Minidoka Fellow

In October 1942 school opened for incarcerated students at Minidoka. Huntville Elementary School, located in Block 10, taught students in Blocks 1 through 19 while Stafford School was in Block 32 and served children in Blocks 21 through 44. Incarcerees and administrators set up the schools in barracks, so students were both learning and living in tarpaper. Hunt Junior and Senior High occupied Block 23. The WRA purchased used desks and chairs for students, leading to the equipment constantly breaking down from years of wear and tear. Additionally the books that were purchased were very outdated also also showed signs of wear. 

The WRA provided curriculum that promoted American ideals, citizenship, and patriotism, so student essays often reflected these values, and dissenting opinions were often frowned upon. Still students reflected on their experiences of removal and incarceration, with both a sense of hope and sadness about their present circumstances. For example, in the essay below, by Jim Akagi, he recalls his childhood experiences playing football until the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He explains the forced removal and his sadness about Christmas approaching and being incarcerated at Minidoka during the holiday. Jim’s essay is not the only written piece that shows the perspective of children who were incarcerated. Many other essays written by incarcerated students explain the differing perspectives and emotions they felt.