The hopes and fears of America’s Y2K generation

Scott Sonner

Sunday, Sept. 12, 1999 | 9:55 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - It's not about the New Millennium, the technology, the fashions, or the fads.

For 17-year-old Oswaldo Mendoza, being a part of the Class of 2000 has a much simpler meaning.

It marks the same kind of opportunity immigrants like Oswaldo have been seeking in the United States for centuries: a chance at a better way of life.

Born in Mexico City, Mendoza moved with his family to Reno when he was 4 years old in search of better jobs. Now he's on the verge on being the first of his family to go to college.

"I'm going to be setting an example for my brother and sister and encourage them," said Oswaldo, who made an extra effort this year to improve on an academic record of mostly B's and C's.

"I'm going to go to college so I can get a better job. That's why we came to the United States - to get a better way of life for me and my brother and sister," he said.

Like his parents, Oswaldo works at a casino when he's not in school - 15 hours a week during the school year and full-time during the summer.

His father, who speaks little English, actually works two full-time jobs - as a porter at both the Silver Legacy and Peppermill hotel-casinos.

His mother, whose English is improving, has worked for nine years making change for slot machine players at the Eldorado Hotel and Casino.

"We're doing better than we used to," Oswaldo said. "Before, mom and dad both had to work two jobs."

Oswaldo plays basketball, soccer, hockey and a bit of football with his friends, many of whom he's attended school with since his elementary days.

But much of his spare time revolves around his family, helping his mother with chores, picking up his 13-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister.

He saved his minimum wage base pay last year - $5.15 per hour - but spent the tips on a 1994 Pontiac Grand-Am.

"I've got a good relationship with my family. We talk to each other," Oswaldo said. "We eat together. We sort of stay home together. We watch TV or rent a movie."

His 65-year-old maternal grandfather, Carlos, lives with them. He was a cook in Mexico, and they usually eat traditional Mexican meals.

At Wooster High School, a lot of the Hispanic students hang out together, and while there has been some racial tension, it isn't as bad as when he first arrived, he said.

Oswaldo said he is friends will all sorts of students at Wooster and doesn't stick to only Hispanic circles.

"I get along with mostly everybody. I'm laid back, friendly," Oswaldo said. "I talk to jocks, stoners, Mexicans. I don't know what (label) they would put me under. They'd probably call me Mexican because I'm brown."

Students at Wooster High School "date quite a bit," Oswaldo said.

"Most of my friends are careful. Quite a few of the girls I don't know came out pregnant this year. So I guess you could say they're dating."

As far as his own love life, Oswaldo didn't really want to talk about it.

"My girl friend just broke up with me. That's okay. There's more."