Scholarship Fund Awards
2025 Application Deadline: April 7
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 7, 2025, and award recognitions will be made on June 28, 2025 at the 2025 GVJCI Matsuri . |
GVJCI Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship
The Brian Takeo Mitsunaga Memorial Scholarship is available to current college and graduate school students. Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled 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 and will be continuing in the Fall. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Applicants 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 High School Senior Scholarship, is eligible to apply as an undergraduate or graduate student; or a recipient of an undergraduate scholarship is eligible to apply as a graduate student. In short, individuals cannot apply in an attempt to receive the same scholarship twice. The applicant is responsible for submitting all materials to GVJCI on time. This application for a scholarship becomes complete and valid only when GVJCI has received all of the following materials. Submission deadline is April 7, 2025, and award recognitions will be made on June 28, 2025 at the 2025 GVJCI Matsuri . |
2024 GVJCI Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the 2024 GVJCI Scholarship Recipients!
This year we were able to award scholarships to four high school graduates and one undergraduate scholar. The recipients not only highly 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, and hope for a long lasting engagement with the GVJCI! The following are messages from the recipients.
This year we were able to award scholarships to four high school graduates and one undergraduate scholar. The recipients not only highly 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, and hope for a long lasting engagement with the GVJCI! The following are messages from the recipients.
Caption - Pictured l-r: Alison Kochiyama - GVJCI Executive Director, Darren Kawazoe, Leila Tani Butler, Brady Tamanaha, Raymond Shibata - GVJCI Scholarship Committee Member. Not present: Paige Tamura, Justin Yong) (Photo courtesy of Gary Kohatsu, Gardena Valley News)
GARY HORI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Brady Tamanaha, North High School graduate, will be attending Chapman University
“The GVJCI scholarship will help aid me in my college career and be a reminder of the history and community that is always behind me!”
Brady Tamanaha, North High School graduate, will be attending Chapman University
“The GVJCI scholarship will help aid me in my college career and be a reminder of the history and community that is always behind me!”
GARDENA VALLEY JACL SCHOLARSHIP
Leila Tani Butler, Redondo High School graduate, will be attending California Polytechnic State University
“I am honored and so grateful to receive the GVJACL scholarship. JCI has been a great part of my childhood, and has connected me to the Japanese American community. I cannot wait for future trips to Japan, and using the skills learned at JCI as I move forward to college.”
Leila Tani Butler, Redondo High School graduate, will be attending California Polytechnic State University
“I am honored and so grateful to receive the GVJACL scholarship. JCI has been a great part of my childhood, and has connected me to the Japanese American community. I cannot wait for future trips to Japan, and using the skills learned at JCI as I move forward to college.”
GARDENA VALLEY GARDENERS ASSOCIATION LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
Paige Tamura, Torrance High School graduate, will be attending California State University, Fullerton
“Hello, my name is Paige Tamura and I'm a Class of 2024 graduate from Torrance High School. I will be attending Cal State Fullerton in the fall, majoring in Criminal Justice. I want to thank the Gardena Valley JCI Scholarship Committee for awarding me the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship. My grandfather, Kunima Tamura, was a past president of the Gardeners Association. The Gardeners Association was a big part of his life. Connection to the Japanese American community was important to him, so he would be so happy to hear that I am receiving their legacy scholarship. I am so grateful to the JCI for this scholarship and for providing Japanese American youth in the South Bay with so many ways to connect with their Japanese heritage. As a youth, I began playing Sansei League Softball at the age of 6 and played until I aged out at the end of 8th grade. I have great memories of the JCI, helping out at the Matsuri game booths through the years. I also helped my brothers at their annual Troop 719 Pancake Breakfasts, held at the JCI. This scholarship will help me with my college expenses for my Criminal Justice degree, which I hope will help me give back to my community.”
Paige Tamura, Torrance High School graduate, will be attending California State University, Fullerton
“Hello, my name is Paige Tamura and I'm a Class of 2024 graduate from Torrance High School. I will be attending Cal State Fullerton in the fall, majoring in Criminal Justice. I want to thank the Gardena Valley JCI Scholarship Committee for awarding me the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship. My grandfather, Kunima Tamura, was a past president of the Gardeners Association. The Gardeners Association was a big part of his life. Connection to the Japanese American community was important to him, so he would be so happy to hear that I am receiving their legacy scholarship. I am so grateful to the JCI for this scholarship and for providing Japanese American youth in the South Bay with so many ways to connect with their Japanese heritage. As a youth, I began playing Sansei League Softball at the age of 6 and played until I aged out at the end of 8th grade. I have great memories of the JCI, helping out at the Matsuri game booths through the years. I also helped my brothers at their annual Troop 719 Pancake Breakfasts, held at the JCI. This scholarship will help me with my college expenses for my Criminal Justice degree, which I hope will help me give back to my community.”
GVJCI SCHOLARSHIP
Justin Yong, West Torrance High School graduate, will be attending California State University, Long Bea
“My name is Justin Yong. I will be attending as a first-time and first-year freshman at California State University of Long Beach, majoring in Cinematic Arts. Receiving a scholarship from the Gardena Valley Japanese Community Institute (GVJCI) is truly a privilege and means the world to me. For the past 10 years, I've been actively involved in Kendo and volunteering at the Matsuri festivals, which has not only helped me stay connected to my Japanese heritage and give back to my community but has also sparked personal growth. This scholarship supports my future goals and recognizes the dedication and passion I've put into my cultural and community activities. It encourages me to continue embracing my culture and contributing to the community that has shaped who I am. Thank you, GVJCI, for this incredible honor and for believing in me.”
Justin Yong, West Torrance High School graduate, will be attending California State University, Long Bea
“My name is Justin Yong. I will be attending as a first-time and first-year freshman at California State University of Long Beach, majoring in Cinematic Arts. Receiving a scholarship from the Gardena Valley Japanese Community Institute (GVJCI) is truly a privilege and means the world to me. For the past 10 years, I've been actively involved in Kendo and volunteering at the Matsuri festivals, which has not only helped me stay connected to my Japanese heritage and give back to my community but has also sparked personal growth. This scholarship supports my future goals and recognizes the dedication and passion I've put into my cultural and community activities. It encourages me to continue embracing my culture and contributing to the community that has shaped who I am. Thank you, GVJCI, for this incredible honor and for believing in me.”
BRIAN TAKEO MITSUNAGA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Darren Kawazoe, El Camino College Honors Transfer Program Graduate, will be attending University of California, Irvine
“I am truly honored to be this year's recipient of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute scholarship. With the privilege of this scholarship, it will be the perfect stepping stone for me to establish successful cultural and language exchange programs globally and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Japanese heritage.”
Darren Kawazoe, El Camino College Honors Transfer Program Graduate, will be attending University of California, Irvine
“I am truly honored to be this year's recipient of the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute scholarship. With the privilege of this scholarship, it will be the perfect stepping stone for me to establish successful cultural and language exchange programs globally and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Japanese heritage.”
Congratulations 2024 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!
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!
