Scholarship Fund Awards
GVJCI High School Senior Scholarships
The GVJCI awards annual scholarships to high school seniors in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Former GVJCI Japanese Language School students who live outside of the South Bay region may also apply. Eligibility: Applicants must have been directly involved with the GVJCI or GVJCI Member Organizations that hold regular activity at the GVJCI. Emphasis is placed upon GVJCI and other community involvement, volunteerism and future goals. High school students must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and have post-secondary educational plans. Scholarships available: Gary Hori Memorial Scholarship, Gardena Valley JACL Scholarship, and the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship, and other GVJCI scholarships. Submission deadline is April 8, 2024 with award notification in June. |
GVJCI Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship
The Brian Takeo Mitsunaga Memorial Scholarship is available to college and graduate school students. Eligibility: Applicants must be currently full-time at a college, university, trade school, business school, or any other institution of higher learning within the United States at the undergraduate or graduate school level. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Applicant must have been directly involved with the GVJCI in some capacity (ex: GVJCI Japanese Language School, GVJCI internships, GVJCI programs and services. GVJCI member organization's involvement would not qualify.) NOTE: Previous recipients of a GVJCI Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship are not eligible to reapply to this scholarship for additional years of their undergraduate or graduate education. However, an applicant who received a GVJCI Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship as an undergraduate student, is eligible to reapply as a graduate student. Submission deadline is April 8, 2024 with award notification in June. |
2023 GVJCI Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to our 2023 GVJCI scholarship recipients! This year we were able to award scholarships to three high school graduates and two undergraduate/graduate scholars. The recipients not only achieved academically, but they also dedicated many volunteer hours to the community. Many of them worked directly with GVJCI staff on projects and internships making lasting contributions. We are very proud of all of the recipients and wish them success in their continued education and future goals! The following are messages from the recipients.
Caption: 2023 GVJCI Matsuri Scholarship Presentation: L-R Alison Kochiyama, Executive Director; JoshuaYamane; Olivia Maehara; Kyle Yamazaki; Ray Shibata, GVJCI Board and Scholarship Committee Member. Not pictured: Shingo and Keigo Morita.) (Photo courtesy of Gary Kohatsu, Gardena Valley News)
GARY HORI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Keigo Morita, Patrick Henry High School graduate, will be attending Weber Honor College at San Diego State University
"GVJCI's scholarship provides me with the motivation to pursue my academic and personal goals. I would like to express my deepest appreciation for this generous scholarship opportunity. The support and encouragement provided by GVJCI mean a great deal to me, and I am truly grateful for this recognition."
Keigo Morita, Patrick Henry High School graduate, will be attending Weber Honor College at San Diego State University
"GVJCI's scholarship provides me with the motivation to pursue my academic and personal goals. I would like to express my deepest appreciation for this generous scholarship opportunity. The support and encouragement provided by GVJCI mean a great deal to me, and I am truly grateful for this recognition."
GARDENA VALLEY JACL SCHOLARSHIP
Kyle Yamazaki, South High School graduate, will be attending Chapman University
“Thank you to the GVJACL and GVJCI for awarding me this scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me as I have been going to the GVJCI since I was 11 years old as a Boy Scout. What I will remember and cherish the most is working on the can food drive, helping kids in the game booth at the Matsuri and serving as a color guard at the GVJCI Day of Remembrance. GVJCI is important to me and to my troop.”
Kyle Yamazaki, South High School graduate, will be attending Chapman University
“Thank you to the GVJACL and GVJCI for awarding me this scholarship. This scholarship means a lot to me as I have been going to the GVJCI since I was 11 years old as a Boy Scout. What I will remember and cherish the most is working on the can food drive, helping kids in the game booth at the Matsuri and serving as a color guard at the GVJCI Day of Remembrance. GVJCI is important to me and to my troop.”
GARDENA VALLEY GARDENERS ASSOCIATION LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Maehara, Redondo Union High School graduate, will be attending University of California, Riverside
"I am truly honored to be this year's recipient of the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship along with JCI has been the backbone of my upbringing in the South Bay, paving a pivotal role in my development of leadership, volunteerism and community. I look forward to continuing to be part of the GVJCI community throughout college and beyond."
Olivia Maehara, Redondo Union High School graduate, will be attending University of California, Riverside
"I am truly honored to be this year's recipient of the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship along with JCI has been the backbone of my upbringing in the South Bay, paving a pivotal role in my development of leadership, volunteerism and community. I look forward to continuing to be part of the GVJCI community throughout college and beyond."
BRIAN TAKEO MITSUNAGA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Shingo Morita, California State University, San Diego graduate, will be attending University of Southern California
"I am honored to receive the scholarship from GVJCI, which reaffirms my commitment to academic excellence and community involvement."
Joshua Yamane, El Camino College Honors Transfer Program Graduate, will be attending University of California, Los Angeles
“Receiving this scholarship, especially from GVJCI, is so special! I grew up right next to the facility and JCI has always played a massive role in helping me understand my culture as a fifth-generation Japanese American. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to intern and interact with the community the organization benefits. Thank you so much GVJCI. It is truly an honor to receive this award!”
Shingo Morita, California State University, San Diego graduate, will be attending University of Southern California
"I am honored to receive the scholarship from GVJCI, which reaffirms my commitment to academic excellence and community involvement."
Joshua Yamane, El Camino College Honors Transfer Program Graduate, will be attending University of California, Los Angeles
“Receiving this scholarship, especially from GVJCI, is so special! I grew up right next to the facility and JCI has always played a massive role in helping me understand my culture as a fifth-generation Japanese American. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to intern and interact with the community the organization benefits. Thank you so much GVJCI. It is truly an honor to receive this award!”
Congratulations 2023 GVJCI Scholarship recipients! We are proud of you and excited to see your future unfold. Thank you for serving our community as GVJCI volunteers through the years and, if your schedule allows, we look forward your potential return as future GVJCI volunteers!
