ITEMS

Yolanda Bates interview 2, October 24, 2007

Yolanda Mendiola Bates talks about her childhood in Mexico, her parent’s divorce and her father’s remarriage. She talks about competitive swimming, about receiving a full-ride scholarship to swim at Brigham Young University, converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, and being homesick when she was first in the U.S. She also talks about not feeling like she fit in either the U.S. or back in Mexico, especially with Mexican Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintss because she was much taller and more educated than most. She recalls not dating a lot at BYU because she was “dark.” She talks about her marriage to her U.S. boyfriend and her concern about marrying someone that doesn’t “share the same culture and same traditions.” She talks about her education and work as a coach and teacher. She shares her opinion about the benefits of swimming, including goal setting, overcoming obstacles and working through negative feelings; noting to her swimmers that if they can learn to be dedicated with swimming they can be dedicated at anything. She talks about her and her father’s work with the Latino community in Cache Valley. She talks about teaching Spanish at Mountain Crest High School and having many Latino students in her classes, which she likens to U.S. students taking English classes. She talks about sharing Mexican culture with her students and the importance of not being prejudiced; and she notes there are many types of Latinos.

The original of this item can be found at Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, Latino Voices, FOLK COLL 38 Box 1.

2007-10-24

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Libraries Special Collections and Archives, (435) 797-2663.

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives

Latino/Latina Voices Project, 2007, 2012

Latino/Latina Voices Project inventory can be found at: http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv83200

Latino Voices

http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/Latino/id/660