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Scholarship Committee

Chairperson: Tatia Oshidari

History
Committee Members
Donations
Scholarships

Purpose

  • To recognize their high scholastic achievement and effort in high school,
  • To develop awareness of their Okinawan heritage,
  • To encourage their continued involvement in community activities

Eligibility

  • Okinawa Association of America member's children of Okinawan descent,
  • High School seniors graduating this school year,
  • Minimum of 2.75 grade point average

Publicity

  • Okinawa Association of America Newsletter,
  • Rafu Shimpo,
  • Word of Mouth

When and Where Awarded

  • At the Okinawa Association of America Picnic or Undokai scheduled during the summer.

History

The first documentation of an educational encouragement occurred in 1954 when a memento was presented to an outstanding high school graduate of 1954 at the New Year's Banquet.

The first Scholarship Committee was formed in 1959 with a budget of $600, and cap on the highest amount not to exceed $200. The standardized marks for California scholarship awards were to be strictly observed.

In 1966, scholarships were awarded to 5 deserving high school graduate and mementos were given to 7 high school graduates.

From 1966 until 1999, we have awarded 300 scholarships over the past 33 years. This is truly remarkable that we have encouraged 300 high school graduates by investing in their pursuit of higher education.

Our heartfelt thanks to Shoan Yamauchi who originated the scholarship fund and continually supported it with his donations. We are also grateful to Chosuke Miyahira and Joe Higashi for their many generous donations to the scholarship fund. Three scholarships have been established in their honor and are annually awarded to the top three students.

In 1994, we made a survey of past scholarship recipients about their education, career, family, hobbies/interests, and community involvement. We inquired about suggestions for improving scholarship procedures. As a result of 79 replies, one suggestion brought 4 past scholarship recipients as members of the Scholarship Committee. Many of those who replied have participated as speakers in our previous four Career Seminars.

Okinawa Association of America Scholarship Committee for 2000:

Joe Yamagawa (Chairman)
Helene Shimane (Secretary)
Ken Kamiya (Treasurer)
Robert Furugen (OAA President)
Edward Tamae
Kitty Sankey
Kriste Kamiya
Tatia Tokunaga
Shingi Kuniyoshi
Rene Nakasone
Karen Shimabukuro

Donations

Donations to the Scholarship Fund are always welcome as an investment in our Okinawan youth.

Please send to: Ken Kamiya (Treasurer) 373 Van Ness Avenue, Suite #200 Torrance, California 90501

We are proud to honor our Okinawa youth with three types of scholarships available through our Okinawa Association of America.

1. Academic Scholarships for Current High School Graduates

Purpose

  • To recognize their high scholastic achievement and effort in high school,
  • To develop an awareness of their Okinawan heritage,
  • To encourage their continued involvement in community activities.

Eligibility

  • Okinawa Association of America members children of Okinawan descent,
  • High school seniors graduating this school year,
  • Minimum of 2.75 grade point average.

2. Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogi Kai Scholarships

Purpose

  • To recognize their achievement in the study of traditional Japanese culture such as koto, shamisen, dance, ikebana, tea ceremony, kendo, etc.

Eligibility

  • Age 17 through 25,
  • Must be recommended by a teacher of study, then submitted to the Kenjinkai,
  • May be used for college or to continue to further study the specific aspect of Japanese culture.

3. Kempi Scholarships to Okinawa
(Sponsored by the Okinawa International Foundation)
(A. "Ryudai" to the University of the Ryukyus)
(B. "Geidai" to the Prefectural University of the Arts)

Purpose

  • To promote international exchange between Okinawa and the Okinawans in other countries overseas,
  • To study in Okinawa for one year with all expenses paid by the Okinawan government and the Okinawa International Foundation.

Eligibility

  • Must be of Okinawan descent,
  • Must be a high school graduate,
  • Must be between 18 and 30 years of age,
  • Must have a proficiency in the Japanese language,
  • Must be sponsored by the Kenjinkai in the United States

** Please help us tell our Okinawan youth about these wonderful scholarships available through the Okinawa Association of America. We need everyone's help to spread the good news!

 


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