Twenty-three college-bound high school seniors were each presented with $2,000 scholarships recently during the 2025 Japanese American Treaty Centennial Scholarship Fund (JATCSF) luncheon.
To date, the program has awarded more than $1 million throughout its 65-year history.
"We had an impressive group of applicants this year with ambitious goals and exceptionally bright futures," said Kitty Sankey, JATCSF president, who also chairs the scholarship selection and planning committee.
"We're honored to support these students as they embark on the next chapter in their lives."
Also addressing the scholars was Consul General Kenko Sone, honorary president of the JATCSF, in one of his last events before he returns to Tokyo.
The 23 high school scholars and the universities they plan to attend are:
Enzo Kei Arakaki, North Torrance High School, UC San Diego
Ryan Kenji Erber, Eunice Sato Academy of Math & Science, Stanford University
Ryan Yanai Herbers, West Torrance High School, University of Southern California
Ethan Kazuo Ikenaga, South Pasadena High School, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Palio Shibata, Redondo Union High School, University of Washington, Seattle
In addition to the scholars, Happy Mizutani, a real estate broker and longtime JATCSF trustee, was honored for his dedication and financial contributions to the JATCFS scholarship fund.
Los Angeles Dodgers historian Mark Langill was the keynote speaker.
"We are very grateful to the 2025 scholarship award donors, whose generosity allows us to support the educational aspirations of the next generation," said Haru Takehana, JATCSF vice chair.
Scholarship donors include Mr. and Mrs. Teruo Yoshimoto, Koichi & Toyo Nerio Memorial Fund, Nitto Tire, Joyce Chinn, Kenji Ito Memorial Scholarship Fund, Happy Mizutani, and Kitty Sankey.
The Japanese American Treaty Centennial Scholarship Fund, Inc. was established 65 years ago by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japan's first official delegation to the U.S. in 1860. Since 1960, over $1 million in scholarships have been awarded to 1,867 Japanese American scholars.