Interviewer
Korina Garcia
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
Victor J. Perches recounts his childhood in South El Paso, along with his attendance at Douglass Elementary, Guillen Middle School, and Bowie High School in the 1970s and 1980s. According to Victor, Douglas Elementary was a very safe and supportive place. The teachers provided support for students who had difficulty succeeding due to economic problems in the neighborhood . He recalls there were meals, activities, and other events available to students who lived in Salazar Housing Project, making them less likely to join gangs due to being occupied. Perches talked candidly about the social situation in his area, poverty, gang culture, etc., along with challenges students had at home to push them forward. He also discussed how there were strong community ties and good role models among the teachers, coaches, and mentors encouraging students to believe in themselves and to work hard. Perches did so with great fondness as he reminisced about being in spelling bees, participating in sports and wrestling tournaments, and being present at school events that allowed him to have greater self-esteem and to interact with and gain confidence from other kids from various social backgrounds. Even though he did have instances of humiliation and discrimination while being a Spanish speaking Mexican American, those and many other experiences pushed Perches to work harder in school and remain focused on succeeding. The interview focuses on bilingualism, the responsibility of the family, and cultural identity, all of which have shaped Perches's life. An example he gives is reading Spanish newspapers to his father as he lost his vision, while at the same time receiving encouragement from his school's teachers to improve his abilities in English. As he looks back, Perches remembers how many generations of students at Douglass Elementary have benefited from having structure, discipline, and opportunity available to them in a low-income area on the border of Mexico and the United States. In looking at his fellow students, he can identify some who became successful, while others struggled with drugs, gangs, or incarceration; however, he attributes the ability of many students to find stability and direction to education, sports, and community involvement made possible by Douglass Elementary School.
Date of Interview
3-12-2026
Length of Interview
0:53:29
Transcript Number
1838
Length of Transcript
10 pages
Transcriber
Korina Garcia
Interview Number
1838
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Victor J. Perches by Korina Garcia, 2026, "Interview No. 1838," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.