Congratulations
2026 GVJCI Scholarship Recipients!
On June 27 at the 2026 GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser, representatives of the GVJCI Scholarship Committee presented scholarships to five deserving students. This year, we also presented a 2026 Kelli Tani Scholarship. Thank you to the Tani Family who provided this special high school scholarship in loving memory of their daughter, Kelli Tani.
Congratulations to all of the recipients for their amazing achievements, career goals, and their involvement and support of GVJCI and the community. We are very proud of them 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.
Congratulations to all of the recipients for their amazing achievements, career goals, and their involvement and support of GVJCI and the community. We are very proud of them 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.
2026 GVJCI Matsuri Scholarship Presentation. Pictured from L-R: Alison Kochiyama-GVJCI Executive Director, Carrie Lew-GVJCI Scholarship Committee, Brooke Shibata, Carina Sakimura, Kristi Ikemoto, Quincy Ishida, Logan Garcia, Ray Shibata-GVJCI Scholarship Committee.
GARY HORI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Logan Garcia, Lawndale High School graduate, will be attending University of California, Merced
“おはようございます。 My name is Logan Garcia and I’ll be attending college at UC Merced. My field of study is going to be Global Arts. Having graduated from GVJCI [Japanese Language] School and being part of [Gardena JCI] Kendo for over 8 years, I consider this place as my second home. To be receiving this scholarship is a great honor and privilege. GVJCI has been a part of my life and to receive this scholarship is a gift that I will cherish greatly. This will aid me in my education goals and will help me to pay for my classes as school materials aren’t exactly cheap. 日本語学校の まゆみ先生 と ちあき先生 にかんしゃします。 I would also like to give thanks to Kazu and Kawai sensei from Kendo, along with Larry and the rest of my Dojo for getting me to where I am today. Last but not least, thank you to my parents for giving me this opportunity to further my education and thank you to GVJCI for awarding me with this scholarship. ありがとうございました。
Logan Garcia, Lawndale High School graduate, will be attending University of California, Merced
“おはようございます。 My name is Logan Garcia and I’ll be attending college at UC Merced. My field of study is going to be Global Arts. Having graduated from GVJCI [Japanese Language] School and being part of [Gardena JCI] Kendo for over 8 years, I consider this place as my second home. To be receiving this scholarship is a great honor and privilege. GVJCI has been a part of my life and to receive this scholarship is a gift that I will cherish greatly. This will aid me in my education goals and will help me to pay for my classes as school materials aren’t exactly cheap. 日本語学校の まゆみ先生 と ちあき先生 にかんしゃします。 I would also like to give thanks to Kazu and Kawai sensei from Kendo, along with Larry and the rest of my Dojo for getting me to where I am today. Last but not least, thank you to my parents for giving me this opportunity to further my education and thank you to GVJCI for awarding me with this scholarship. ありがとうございました。
KELLI TANI SCHOLARSHIP
Quincy Ishida, North High School graduate, will be attending Fordham University, New York
“Getting the Kelli Tani scholarship really means a lot to me. Knowing it honors Kelli Tani, and seeing that she had an uplifting personality that made everyone feel welcomed, makes it feel even more special. I’m grateful to the GVJCI for believing in me and continuing to let the dreamer pursue his dreams.”
Quincy Ishida, North High School graduate, will be attending Fordham University, New York
“Getting the Kelli Tani scholarship really means a lot to me. Knowing it honors Kelli Tani, and seeing that she had an uplifting personality that made everyone feel welcomed, makes it feel even more special. I’m grateful to the GVJCI for believing in me and continuing to let the dreamer pursue his dreams.”
BRIAN TAKEO MITSUNAGA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Brooke Shibata, attending UC Irvine, entering her senior year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in International Studies and Economics
“As a former intern with GVJCI, it's especially meaningful to receive this scholarship in support of my future academic and professional goals. Through my experience with GVJCI, I gained a deeper appreciation for my Japanese-American identity and learned the importance of building meaningful connections within my community. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and skills I’ve gained, and I look forward to continuing to use them in service of others.”
Brooke Shibata, attending UC Irvine, entering her senior year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in International Studies and Economics
“As a former intern with GVJCI, it's especially meaningful to receive this scholarship in support of my future academic and professional goals. Through my experience with GVJCI, I gained a deeper appreciation for my Japanese-American identity and learned the importance of building meaningful connections within my community. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and skills I’ve gained, and I look forward to continuing to use them in service of others.”
GVJACL SCHOLARSHIP
Carina Sakimura, attending her second year of graduate school at San Jose State University pursuing a Masters of Science Occupational Therapy
“I am deeply honored to receive the Gardena Valley JACL Chapter Scholarship. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve the Japanese American community through the GVJCI, throughout Los Angeles, and in Northern California, where I currently attend school. This award will not only provide valuable financial support for my second year of graduate study, but also enable me to continue making a positive impact on others in my community on a personal and professional level.”
Carina Sakimura, attending her second year of graduate school at San Jose State University pursuing a Masters of Science Occupational Therapy
“I am deeply honored to receive the Gardena Valley JACL Chapter Scholarship. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve the Japanese American community through the GVJCI, throughout Los Angeles, and in Northern California, where I currently attend school. This award will not only provide valuable financial support for my second year of graduate study, but also enable me to continue making a positive impact on others in my community on a personal and professional level.”
GARDENA VALLEY GARDENERS ASSOCIATION LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
Kristi Ikemoto, attending University of California, Los Angeles, entering her senior year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Psychology with a minor in Asian American Studies
“Being selected for this scholarship is a true honor. My time as a Program and Events Intern at GVJCI taught me that community is not just something you belong to, but something you actively build and give back to. This scholarship helps exemplify that as it motivates me to keep investing in and making impacts larger than myself for the community that has shaped and continues to shape me into who I am today.”
Kristi Ikemoto, attending University of California, Los Angeles, entering her senior year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Psychology with a minor in Asian American Studies
“Being selected for this scholarship is a true honor. My time as a Program and Events Intern at GVJCI taught me that community is not just something you belong to, but something you actively build and give back to. This scholarship helps exemplify that as it motivates me to keep investing in and making impacts larger than myself for the community that has shaped and continues to shape me into who I am today.”
Scholarship Fund Awards
2027 Application Deadline: TBA
Award notification in June, and award recognitions will be made on June 26, 2027 at the 2027 GVJCI Matsuri.
|
|
NEW GVJCI 529 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
GVJCI has established a new GVJCI 529 Scholarship for 6 to 8 year olds with families who have an existing 529 College Savings Plan or will be establishing one. Youth can qualify by having completed one year of GVJCI Japanese Language School, is currently enrolled in the GVJCI Japanese Language School, and must have an excellent attendance record in the GVJCI Japanese Language School (90%). Visit our website for more information.
To make a donation to the GVJCI 529 Scholarship Fund or any of our Scholarship Funds, or if you have any questions, please contact the GVJCI Office or visit our website at jci-gardena.org.
GVJCI has established a new GVJCI 529 Scholarship for 6 to 8 year olds with families who have an existing 529 College Savings Plan or will be establishing one. Youth can qualify by having completed one year of GVJCI Japanese Language School, is currently enrolled in the GVJCI Japanese Language School, and must have an excellent attendance record in the GVJCI Japanese Language School (90%). Visit our website for more information.
To make a donation to the GVJCI 529 Scholarship Fund or any of our Scholarship Funds, or if you have any questions, please contact the GVJCI Office or visit our website at jci-gardena.org.
|
GVJCI High School Seniors Scholarship
The GVJCI awards annual scholarships to high school seniors who live in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Former and current 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 ($2,000), Gardena Valley JACL Scholarship ($2,000), and the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association Legacy Scholarship ($2,000). Submission deadline is TBA with award notification in June, and award recognitions will be made on June 26, 2027 at the 2027 GVJCI Matsuri.
|
Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship
The Brian Takeo Mitsunaga Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) 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 be directly and currently involved with the GVJCI in some capacity (ex: GVJCI Japanese Language School, GVJCI internships, GVJCI programs and services, including GVJCI's Volunteer Program). GVJCI member organization's involvement ONLY would not qualify. IN ADDITION TO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE 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 TBA with award notification in June, and award recognitions will be made on June 26, 2027 at the 2027 GVJCI Matsuri. |
