The JQSOW awards scholarships to its participants each year to support their pursuit of higher education. With the generosity of the Kawabe and Motoda Foundations, Seattle Chapter Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese Community Service of Seattle, Japan Business Association and Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association, participants can receive anywhere between $3000 to upwards of $5000 in schola
rship funds. Throughout the year, participants support a variety of events and organizations such as the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, Nisei Veterans Committee, Seattle Bon Odori, Aki Matsuri, Japan America Society, Nikkei Concerns, and many more. Participants often volunteer and attend upwards of 50 events throughout the year. In addition to these events, participants also complete monthly volunteer commitments at Nikkei Manor Assisted Living Facility and Seattle Keiro Nursing Home. As ambassadors for Washington, Seattle and our organization, participants travel to our "sister cities" of Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco and Kobe, Japan where they are able to take part in their festivals. Similarly, representatives from Los Angeles, Honolulu and San Francisco make their way here to attend our scholarship celebration traditionally held in May during Memorial Day Weekend. Following the scholarship celebration, the JQSOW sends one of the participants to take part in the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women. This is an added responsibility, but is also an additional opportunity to receive further scholarship funds. During the participants' one-and-a-half year commitment, they are introduced to community organizations, community service, skills in public speaking, traditional Japanese dance, etiquette in a variety of settings, history and much more. What remains paramount above all is our commitment to higher education. The addition of cultural awareness and community involvement are the extra building blocks to a foundation we hope will foster future leaders in our community.
