9th Annual Careers Seminar
April 18, 2004The Young Okinawans Group held its 9th annual Careers Seminar on Sunday, April 18, 2004 in the Yamauchi Building. Our speakers were eloquent speakers and very knowledgeable about their jobs. They ably answered the many questions asked of them.
From left: Emy Tome, Allyson Nakamoto, Eric Kaneshiro, Miyoko Itokazu, Julian Ely, Helene Shimane, and Chogi Higa.
EMY TOME – Occupational Therapist
In 1996, Emy received a high school OAA scholarship and the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai Scholarship to further her education. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in Physiological Studies and a Master’s Degree from USC in Occupational Therapy. She works at the Methodist Hospital of Southern California as an Occupational Therapist. Her job includes working with individuals with diagnoses such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic surgeries (hip and knee replacement), Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, etc. She uses special techniques and education to help them regain their independence to return home. She is involved in the community as a volunteer at the UCLA Hospital and at the OAA New Year’s Party. During her leisure time, she works out at the gym, goes trail hiking, enjoys being with friends and doing crafts. She is the daughter of Sadao and Aiko Tome.
ERIC KANESHIRO, Ph.D – Senior Data Base Analyst
Eric was born and raised in Torrance. He graduated from North High School in Torrance. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State Dominguez Hills. Then he attended Claremont College where he received his Masters Degree and finally achieved his Doctorate Degree in Psychology. Eric works at Avery Dennison in Playa, California as the Senior Data Base Analyst. His work responsibilities involve data manipulation and analysis. He is not actively involved in the community as yet but wants to become involved in the Okinawa Association of America, Inc. by using his expertise and skills with database manipulation and analysis. Surely this will help us in planning and setup of future projects. Since Eric loves to gamble, he goes to Las Vegas for his relaxation and stress reduction. But he also finds relaxation in Palms Springs too. Eric is the son of Howard and Yeiko Kaneshiro.
ALLYSON NAKAMOTO
JULIAN ELY – Public Relations and Administrative Assistant
Julian grew up in Cerritos and attended grades kindergarten through high school in Cerritos. He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Linguistics from University of California at Irvine. He studied for one year in Bordeaux, France and studied Japanese for 1½ years in Tokyo, Japan while working in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and as a private English tutor and text paraphraser. Julian now works at the Consulate General of Japan as Public Relations and Administrative Assistant for Japanese government foreign mission. His work responsibilities include a variety of work to promote Japan – United States relations such as visiting schools to share about Japanese culture, answering inquiries about Japan, maintaining a mailing list, mailing publications, etc. Julian’s community involvement includes the JET Alumni Association, church and the Okinawa Association of America, Inc. as the Goodwill Ambassador, student of the Uchinaguchi Class and member of the Young Okinawans group. He became involved via meeting Allyson (also a JET alumni) and learning to play the sanshin with her Kempi Scholarship Recipient alumni group. He finds it relaxing to dream of planting and growing pomegranates, playing music on his sanshin and reading the Bible.
MIYOKO ITOKAZU – KEMPI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Miyoko was an OAA high school scholarship recipient in 1996. She also received the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai Scholarship in October, 1996. She attended the California State University at Fullerton and received her Bachelors of Arts Degree. Then in 2001, she was accepted as the Kempi Scholarship Recipient to study in Okinawa (all expenses paid for one year) at the University of the Ryukyus. This scholarship is sponsored by the Okinawan Government and the Okinawa International Foundation to promote international exchange between Okinawa and the Okinawans in other countries overseas. Eligibility rules that you must be a U.S. citizen of Okinawan descent, a high school graduate between 18 and 30 years of age, proficient in the Japanese language and be sponsored by a U.S. Kenjinkai. Miyoko met relatives in Okinawa, developed friendships with students from Hawaii, South America, Europe, Japan and Asia. She also continued her Taiko training with the Matsuri Daiko in Okinawa and upon her return to California, she taught her local Matsuri Daiko members what she had learned there. Miyoko now works at the JALUX Americas, Inc. as the Buyer and Purchasing Agent for JAL. Surely her proficiency in the Japanese language is most beneficial in her job. Her active community involvement includes performing in the Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko at community events & festivals, and the Nisei Week Parade. She also wants to help the needy by volunteering to feed the homeless. Miyoko enjoys playing sports to relax and reduce stress. Miyoko is the daughter of Setsuko and the late Fumio Itokazu.
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