2:58 Spokane’s new middle schools will be named after Denny Yasuhara, Pauline Flett and Carla Peperzak. A new middle school was named after Spokane Tribe Member Pauline Flett, who was instrumental in preserving the Salish language. The Spokane Public School Board has unanimously voted to name their new middle schools after a Japanese civil rights activist, the woman who saved the Spokane Salish language, and a Holocaust freedom fighter. Spokane’s new middle schools will be named after Denny Yasuhara, Pauline Flett and Carla Peperzak. Denny Yasuhara was a civil rights leader, advocate for racial justice and the rights of Asian Americans. He grew up during WWII, and endured anti-asian racism as many Japanese families were forced into internment camps. He also was a Garry Middle School teacher, who was known for his commitment to his students.