High school senior honorees at the Japanese American Community Graduation Banquet. Photo: Chip Larouche
PORTLAND, ORE. — The 69th Annual Japanese American Community Graduation Banquet was held at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland on May 1. Eleven sponsoring organizations (including the Gresham-Troutdale Chapter and Portland JACL) worked together to honor graduating high school seniors.
The event’s keynote speaker was Ariko Iso, who is currently the head football athletic trainer at Oregon State University. Prior to her position at Oregon State University, Iso was on the staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers for nine years.
Newly arrived Consul General Kojiro Uchiyama also congratulated the students on their academic success and wished them good luck in their future endeavors.
The 16 graduates received the book “Touching the Stones” as well as scholarships and awards totaling more than $22,000.
— Chip Larouche
