Awards and Scholarships
JA Living Legacy is built on the idea of community service. That's why everyone here at JA Living Legacy is a volunteer. That's right! Our executive board, advisors and staff are all 100% volunteers. Service to the community is a responsibility that should be nurtured from generation to generation. It is our hope that we can lead by example.
We are committed to recognizing outstanding individuals who have continually and
unselfishly given their time and resources in fostering the Nikkei community. We also recognize
students who have demonstrated a willingness to participate in the community while achieving
excellence in their schools.
In 2008, Ms. Sharon Tani sought to promote an annual community service award as a tribute and legacy to her father, the late Mamoru Tani (L Company 442nd RCT). She approached a few organizations and ultimately chose Japanese American Living Legacy as the host of the award. JA Living Legacy presents this award to community members who truly exhibit a tireless commitment to serving the Japanese American community by participating in work that promotes the community�s legacy.
For more information on how to nominate a community member for this award, please contact us at (714) 515-5501.
 2009 - Don Wakida |
 2010 - Jim Yamashita |
 2011 - John Iwamoto |
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Iwasaki Family, JA Living Legacy has reopened applications for the Teri and Art Iwasaki Scholarship program. The Iwasaki Family originally donated funds to provide an annual $2000 scholarship from 2009 to 2013; however, they have generously volunteered to continue funding the scholarship for an additional five years, ending the program in 2018. The scholarship is awarded to qualifying high school seniors who are related to a 442nd RCT veteran, excel in schoolwork and participate in the community. The last day to apply for the scholarship this year is April 30, 2017.
Art Iwasaki was a member of I Company, in the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Art and his children (Robert, Stephanie, Christie, Paul and Leslie) originally created the Teri and Art Iwasaki Scholarship to offset the rising cost of education for college-bound high-school seniors and to honor Art's late wife, Teri. Art Iwasaki passed away on January 12, 2017. JA Living Legacy will continue this scholarship until 2018. On behalf of JA Living Legacy and our scholarship recipients, we thank the Iwasaki family for their generous support. The application period for this scholarship is now closed for 2017. Check back here in January for 2018!
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| 2009 Kara Yoshihara |
2010 Reed A. Shoho |
2011 Trenton Tanioka |
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| 2009 Sasha Paape Honorable Mention |
2011 Nolan Jimbo Honorable Mention |
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| 2012 Michael Moriyama |
2013 Harrison Jung |
2014 Marc Marutani |