Fresno JACL

2010 Fresno JACL Scholarships

The Fresno Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are planning to enter an accredited college or university, to continuing undergraduate students who are enrolled in a program at an accredited college or university leading to an undergraduate degree or to graduate students at an accredited college or university.  The following are possible scholarships that may be awarded in the spring of 2009.

Masao and Hana Kimura Scholarship - The Kimuras owned and operated a grocery store in West Fresno  30 years.   Since a large number of customers at the store were of Japanese-American descent, Hana Kimura made it preferable that the scholarship be made to a Japanese-American student.  It is $2,000 paid in four $500 annual installments, available only to entering freshmen with a GPA of 3.0 or better. for over

Miyahara/Kusakai Scholarship - This $500 scholarship was established by the Miyahara and Kusakai families in memory of Hiro and Day Kusakai’s son.  The Kusakais are Thousand Life Club members. Hiro Kusakai was a past  president of the Fresno JACL.

Dr. Henry Kazato Memorial Scholarship - The original scholarship program began at the urging of Dr. Kazato in 1977 and was established by the Kazato Family.  This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student interested in the medical field.

Barbara and Izumi Taniguchi Scholarship – This scholarship was established by the Fresno Chapter Scholarship Fund.  Barbara and Izumi Taniguchi were both past Fresno Chapter Presidents.  Izumi Taniguchi passed away several years ago.  Barbara continues to be a Thousand Club Member.  The $1,000 scholarship is now funded by the Fresno Chapter Scholarship Fund and from contributions by the Taniguchi Family.

Fred Y. and Setsu Hirasuna Scholarship – This scholarship was established by the Fresno Chapter’s scholarship fund in honor of Fred Y. Hirasuna.  Fred was a past president.  Before JACL was established as a national organization Fred was an active member of the Fresno American Loyalty League which subsequently became the Fresno Chapter of JACL.  This $1,000 scholarship is now funded by the Fresno Chapter Scholarship Fund and from contributions by Setsu Hirasuna and family.

Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship was established by the Fresno Chapter Scholarship Fund in 1977.  Dr. Yatabe was instrumental in the formation of the Fresno American Loyalty League which subsequently became Fresno Chapter of JACL when the national JACL was formed.

The Sally Yabumoto Slocum Memorial Student Aid Fund – This $750 scholarship is a need-based award.  Ayako (Sally) Yabumoto was born in Los Angeles in 1908.  Her parents were from Wakayama, Japan.  She was raised on a small farm in Chamerino, New Mexico.  She graduated from Gadsen High School in Anthony, New Mexico.  She married Tokutaro Nishimura Slocum, an Issei and WW1 Veteran, in 1935.  The family was interned at Manzanar in 1942.  They moved to Fresno in August 1946.  Ayako went to work at California State University, Fresno as a secretary around 1953 and retired in 1974.  The Fresno JACL was a major interest in her life.  She served as president.  Before she died in May, 1991; she established this fund.  Sally’s family continues to support this fund.

ELIGIBILITY

ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  This scholarship is available to all qualified applicants.  The applicant or his/her parent must be a member of  the Fresno JACL.

Click here for an application form (PDF)

2009 CCDC-JACL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Central California District Council of the Japanese American Citizens League (CCDC-JACL) awards up to seven (7) scholarships for graduating high school seniors who are planning to enter college or university in the following semester.

Click here for the cover letter (PDF)

Click here for an application form (PDF)