Sequoia Scholarship recipients (from left) Cory Gong, Jesse Kim and Nicole Chiou
JACL Sequoia Chapter recognized three graduating high school students for their outstanding academic and community achievements as they received the Sequoia JACL Sequoia High School Scholarship.
The chapter honored Nicole Chiou, Cory Gong and Jesse Kim on May 10 during an official ceremony.
Nicole Chiou is representing the Tri-City Association in Mountain View, Calif. She is graduating from Saratoga High School and has a 4.56 GPA. Chiou plays varsity and club volleyball and is an accomplished piano musician and a member of the string orchestra ensemble. She also volunteers as a music therapist, playing her piano for a stroke rehab center. Among her other achievements, Chiou tutors math and teaches volleyball for the Tri-City Association Youth Group. She will attend the University of Pennsylvania and plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Cory Gong is graduating from Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Calif., and has a 3.84 GPA. He is representing Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. Gong is active with the church in its YCS-Interact Club as a board member. He also helps coordinate service trips outside the country and helps with projects to build houses and schools. Gong has been active with local projects such as mentoring middle school students, environmental preservation projects and fund raising for overseas projects. He is also with active with school activities, including several sports, class council and various student clubs. Gong will attend Santa Clara University and plans to major in psychology.
Jesse Kim is also representing Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She is graduating from Palo Alto High School and has a 4.22 GPA. Kim is proud to have been part of an all-girls robotics team that won the Championship Award at the Nationals for FIRST Lego League. In addition, she has played on varsity and club softball teams with distinction, even though she is usually one of the smallest girls on her teams. Kim gives back to her community as a teacher’s aide for a children’s Japanese cultural school, which she also attended as a child. Kim will attend the University of California, San Diego, and plans to major in biochemistry.
