Arizona JACL Sara Hutchings Clardy Scholarship winners, from left: Madison Quan, Trevor Quan and Sara Jay.
The Arizona Chapter of the JACL held its 56th annual Sara Hutchings Clardy Scholarship Awards Graduates’ Luncheon on April 30, where Donna Cheung, chapter president, and Judge Brian Ishikawa, master of ceremonies, welcomed more than 100 guests to celebrate the students for their academic excellence and positive impact in the community.
Recognized in the high school award categories were Sara Jay from Cactus Shadows High School and Madison and Trevor Quan from Sandra Day O’Connor High School.
Each student received a $1,000 scholarship, named in honor of Sara Hutchings Clardy (1894-1962), a distinguished educator and longtime friend of the Japanese American community in Arizona.
Special recognition was also give to the following graduates within the JACL Arizona community: Kelsey Ishimatsu Jacobson, California Polytechnical State University; Lauren Kawashima, elementary school; Bryan Namba, University of Washington; and Brad Okuma, University of Arizona.
In addition to the scholarships and graduate recognition, the 2017 Gold Saguaro Tribute Award was presented posthumously to Dr. Ted Namba (1957-2016) for his many hours and tireless efforts devoted to the JACL and greater Arizona community.
Michael Tang, minister’s assistant at Arizona Buddhist Temple, delivered the invocation and benediction, and the luncheon’s keynote speaker was Bill Staples Jr., author if “Kenichi Zenimura, Japanese American Baseball Pioneer.”
Planning committee members included Doris Asano, Denise Fuse, Karie Matsuishi, Lauren Namba, Michele Namba, Joyce Shiota, Bonnie Sumida and Seiko Watkins.
The Arizona JACL thanks the following sponsors for their support of the event: Toyota Financial Services, Arizona State University, Arizona Public Service, Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Asian American Bar Association, Jordan and Jennifer Sumida, First Arizona Title, and Movement Mortgage.
For more information, contact the Arizona JACL at ArizonaJACL@gmail.com.
