2006 VJCC Scholarship Awards |
By Elaine Koyama
VJCC Executive Vice President Cliff Asai presented six scholarships to local high school graduates on Saturday, June 24 at the annual Summer Festival. The scholarships are funded by proceeds from the VJCC Bingo Nights and $500 from the Randy Tamura Family Scholarship Fund. The VJCC is very proud of this year’s outstanding scholarship recipients: Naomi Edlund, Melissa Harada, Lauren Kita, Brian Matsubara, Stephen Sharp and Amy Watanabe.
Left to right - Steven Sharp, Naomi Edlund, Melissa Harada, Amy Watanabe, Lauren Kita and Brian Matsubara
Melissa Harada is the recipient of a $500 scholarship. She is a graduate of Culver City High School where she received the Outstanding Leadership Award for three years. She also served as president of Mock Trial for three years and participated in girls’ basketball and the Asian Pacific American Club. Outside of school, she was an active participant in Girl Scouts, earning both the Silver and Gold Awards, and provided service through membership in Juniors of Orthopedic Hospital, Church Youth Group, Environmental Club, and Interact Service Club. At the VJCC, she volunteered at the Festival for seven years. She is the daughter of Ken and Jane Harada and plans to attend U.C.L.A.
Amy Watanabe is the recipient of the $500 Randy Tamura Family Scholarship. She is a graduate of Venice High School. Among her many activities there, she participated in Varsity Girls’ Golf where she received the Coach’s Award in 2005 and served as captain of the team in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Outside of school, she has been an active member of the Girl Scouts, earning both the Silver and Gold Awards. At the Venice-Santa Monica Free Methodist Church, she coordinated youth summer programs and assisted at Sunday school. Her service to the VJCC include being assistant coach for the Venice Superstars basketball team and helping at the VYC Sure Shot Clinic. She is the daughter of Craig and Deborah Watanabe and plans to attend U.C.L.A..
Naomi Edlund is the recipient of a $250 scholarship. She is a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where she participated in theater productions and Speech and Debate Club, and was a member of the California Scholarship Federation. Outside of school, she did volunteer work at the Los Angeles Zoo and participated in the 2004 Anteus Shakespeare Competition, placing second. Her service at VJCC included assisting teachers and tutoring at Venice Gakuen, stapling VJCC Newsletters, and participating in Clean-up Days. She is the daughter of John Edlund and Miri Park and plans to attend U.C. Berkeley.
Lauren Kita is the recipient of a $250 scholarship and is a graduate of Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies. Her activities there included Leadership, Young Asian Scholars, and J.V. and Varsity basketball. Her community service through KIWIN’S included tutoring, organizing school activities, and clean up. At the VJCC, she helped her grandmother. Madame Fujima Chiseye, teach ondo dances for the VJCC Festival for five years. She is the daughter of Sam and Colleen Kita and plans to attend U.C. San Diego.
Brian Matsubara is the recipient of a $200 scholarship. He is a graduate of Venice High School where he participated in varsity golf, junior varsity golf, Knights and Ladies Club, and Chatelaines and Esquires Club. He received the Junior Varsity Coaches’ Award. Outside of school, he has been active at the Venice-Santa Monica Free Methodist Church. His service to the VJCC includes child care during Bingo Nights and Clean-Up Days. He is the son of Norman and Patti Matsubara and plans to attend Santa Monica College.
Steven Sharp is the recipient of a $200 scholarship. He is a graduate of Venice High School where he participated in many activities, including Junior Statesmen of America and the U.C.L.A. A.P. Biology Program. Outside of school, he has been active at the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and is currently the president of the Junior Y.B.A. His service to the VJCC includes coaching the Venice Lakers IV basketball team and writing articles for the VJCC Newsletter. He is the son of Merle and Gail Sharp and plans to attend U.C. Davis.
Visions for the VJCC
By Michiko Yamamoto
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It started by being a good friend. Helping transport the son of friends to Koshin Taiko practices and performances, Max Kobayakawa himself became interested and joined the group in August, 2004. His joining coincided with Koshin deciding to rotate among its members attendance at Executive Council meetings. Max attended the December meeting and has since been Koshin’s representative. Like most individuals, Max joined the VJCC to pursue an interest. He “just wanted to play taiko” and the Center simply was where he could do so. It wasn’t until he attended a few Council meetings that he truly came to appreciate the value of the |
Center… he learned of the hard work and effort it takes to maintain the Center and of the tireless and unheralded contribution of the many volunteers. Being a relatively new member, Max modestly says he doesn’t feel he can do much, but he does what he can to play a role in supporting the Center. What he doesn’t appreciate is that he can and does play a significant role. Learning from Max about Center issues, especially the need for additional funds, Koshin Taiko has committed to take a more active role in assisting the Center and is, for example, planning a benefit concert.
So, like Max, please be a good friend…to the VJCC, and get involved. Each and every individual can make a difference!
New U.S. Citizen Honored
By Gail Sharp
On June 9, VJCC Senior Nutrition members honored Mrs. Sakie Ogawa with a cake decorated with the American flag and with an emotional rendition of “God Bless America.” At 89-years young, Mrs. Ogawa attained U.S. citizenship on May 19, 2006 in a ceremony held at the Pomona Fairgrounds. Mrs. Ogawa came from Koajiro, Yawatahama Shi, Ehime Ken, Japan in 1968 and settled in California with her husband, the late Fusao Ogawa. Before retiring, she worked for Sato Flower Growers and Aloha Grocery. She is a member of the Venice Pioneer Project and enjoys lunches and Friday Bingo games with the Senior Nutrition Program. Today, with many of us being third, fourth and fifth-generation Japanese Americans, we forget to appreciate our U.S. citizenship. Along with her children, Gary & Jane, Jean and George Ogawa, and her grandchildren, Vivian and Dr. Keith Ogawa, we want to congratulate Mrs. |
Congratulations Sakie Ogawa! |
Ogawa on her achievement. She has reminded us of how fortunate we are to live where we do and how much it means to have family, friends and neighbors at the VJCC with whom to share our life accomplishments.
