Established to honor the memory of Dr. Kato and his contribution as founder and chairman of the original Festival, the Festival funds the Dr. Tsujio Kato Memorial Scholarship. To date, the Festival has awarded approximately $74,000 in scholarship funds to Oxnard Unified School District students transitioning from high school to college. Submission deadline for 2018 has passed. Please check back in January 2019, for updated information.
Please meet four exceptional students who are this year’s recipients of the Dr. Kato Memorial Scholarship: Alyssa Cazares, Destiny Hernandez, and Naomi Summers of Oxnard, and Rachael Ryan of Camarillo. Each has received a Dr. Kato Memorial Scholarship of $1,000.00 towards their college fund.
Alyssa Cazares attended Hueneme High School. Her school of choice is the University of California Berkeley with a major in psychology or pre-law. Alyssa’s long-term goal is to receive a bachelor’s degree, then transfer to law school to pursue her dream of becoming a trial lawyer. Asked what Alyssa has been doing to improve or promote her community, she responded, “I’ve been involved in many clubs and programs that aspire to make changes in various issues that occur within my community. For example, the nonprofit organization that I am currently president of, Future Leaders of America, has been working to align the A-G with the graduation requirements to create a college-going culture among Latino/a youth. In addition, I have had the privilege of working with other youth groups to emphasize the importance of advocating for social justice.”
Destiny Hernandez attended Rio Mesa High School. She will attend the University of California San Diego majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Her short-term goal is to receive her bachelor’s degree and her long-term goal is to receive her masters or doctorate at the University of California Los Angeles, which will further her goal of becoming a psychiatrist. Destiny’s answer to what she’s done to improve or promote her community: “I have worked to improve my community by volunteering for various organizations such as the YDC group through Oxnard PAL. Through them, I work with my peers and help to guide younger generations to beautify parks in our community at an event called Meet Up Clean Up.”
Rachael Ryan attended Adolfo Camarillo High School. She’s looking forward to attending either the University of California Santa Barbara or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in mathematics. She’s seeking a bachelor’s degree in science and a secondary teaching credential to become a high school mathematics teacher. When asked what she’s done to improve or promote her community, Rachael responded, “Of all of my volunteering experiences, I find tutoring the most enjoyable. I have had many different experiences tutoring. During my sophomore year, I tutored a student in math every Monday during lunch. At the end of my sophomore year, my AP European History teacher asked if I would help prepare her future students for the AP exam. This is how the Scholastic Success Society Club was formed. Through this club, I conduct study sessions for AP European History students during lunch, after school, and on weekends. I organize, plan, and grade all of the curriculum for these sessions including essays and short answer questions. I help prepare these students for their AP exam and class final exam. It is very rewarding to watch the students improve under my tutelage and I enjoy making a positive impact on their education so much that I want to be a high school math teacher.”
Naomi Summers attended Oxnard High School. She plans to attend University of California Santa Barbara majoring in economics. Her goal is to receive her doctorate degree. Naomi’s Career Goal is to help companies evaluate their economic situations. Naomi’s response to the question what she’s done to improve or promote her community: “This year, I was re-elected president of the California Scholar Federation. Under my leadership, over two-hundred people joined, and I work hard to create pathways that will shape their futures. I’ve mentored my peers and connected them with the resources they need, whether it be tutoring, academic advising, or volunteer opportunities. My leadership position has taught me how to mentor and develop members’ strengths and to unite smaller goals to the bigger picture. Setting my peers up with these resources has a positive impact in my community, and I’m proud to see positive results.”
We congratulate them all and wish them every success as they move towards their very bright futures.
“He was a rare one. He loved the city. It was his whole life to serve.” – Sumiko Kato
The Festival has also funded a $25,000 endowment to support students at California State University Channel Islands via scholarships in perpetuity. Interest from the endowment has allowed CSUCI to award approximately $9,000 in scholarships since 2003.
