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Leanne Oda is the recipient of the Howard Takata Trade/Vocational Scholarship. She is a recent graduate of Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra/Monterey Park. During Leanne’s years at Keppel, she was involved with PAPAYA (Preparing Asian Pacific American Youth Advocate), a program associated with the prominent APALC (Asian Pacific American Legal Center). In this program, Leanne helped serve food to women’s shelters in the Skid Row area of Downtown Los Angeles. Leanne, not only served food, but took the time to listen to the women’s heartbreaking stories of past, present, and loss. Leanne is currently attending Cal Poly Pomona, studying hotel/hospitality management. Her ultimate goal is to manage a hotel in Hawaii, and fulfil her childhood dream of living in Paradise. With her positive attitude and compassion for people, we know Leanne will succeed in her endeavors. Leanne is the daugher of LACAAEA member, Peter Oda of the Department of Public Health. Congratulations to Peter and Leanne.
When you're young and idealistic, you know you can make a difference and change the world to make it a better place. One person we can bet on that will succeed in making a difference is Kathryn Kitani Tokushige, recipient of the Ed Lee Continuing Education Scholarship. Kathryn is a senior attending UCLA with interest in social engagement. This is evidence in her campus involvement and featured writings on the women of Darfur, the issues on homelessness, poverty, and mental health. Kathryn plans to attend law school a year after graduating from UCLA. During this hiatus, Kathryn plans to seek employment with a non-profit organization dealing with the issues of homelessness and poverty so she can better prepare herself representing the less fortunate as a lawyer. We know with Kathryn’s determination, she will succeed in making a difference. Kathryn is the daughter of LACAAEA member, David Tokushige of the Assessor’s Office. Congratulations to David and Kathryn.
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All ye LACAAEA members! In the not-so-near future, when the USA launches robotics into space, stand proud that our sponsorship of Aaron Mayeda made history for us. Aaron is the recipient of the Shirley Bolinger Four-Year Undergraduate Scholarship. He is a recent graduate with a 4.6 GPA from Los Altos High School in Whittier. While at Los Altos, Aaron started the Robotics Club and has earned the school many prestigious awards to include: First placements in Regional and National Robotics Competitions, First placement in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Annual Challenge, and First Placement in the Science Olympiad Competition. Aaron is currently attending UC Berkeley, majoring in mechanical engineering. He was somewhat dismay at Berkeley not having a Robotics Club, but then learned of the LACAAEA Scholarship that would propel him to start a club, as he did at Los Altos. As he enthusiastically explained during his scholarship interview, “just imagine the brillance of minds at Berkeley that can do with robotics”. Aaron, we can’t wait for lift off! Aaron is the son of LACAAEA member, Kenji Mayeda with the Fire Department. Congratulations to Kenji and Aaron.
The LACAAEA Scholarship was started in 2000 to recognize founders of the organization and to financially assist members with their children toward higher education.
The Ed Lee Continuing Education Scholarship is awarded to students already enrolled in a four-year college. Edward W. Lee was one of the founders of the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association. Back in the late 60's when the Association was founded, Mr. Lee was a visionary who worked tirelessly to help promote Asian Americans, fight discrimination in the work place, and ensure that future generations would not face the same issues and problems that he observed and experienced. He was a Division Chief with the Department of Health Services in the Environmental Management Division, and then became the Director of Community Relations.
The Howard Takata Trade/Vocational Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors planning careers where certificates of completion are acceptable and college degrees are optional. Howard Takata was one of the founders of the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association. Mr. Takata, like Ed Lee, wanted Asians to get their due recognition in the County workforce. He strongly believed that being in the Association gave members an opportunity to find many jobs in the County, learn job advancement skills, and have a forum to discuss issues and concerns facing Asian American employees in the workplace. Mr. Takata retired in 1998 from the Internal Services Department.
The Shirley Bolinger Four-Year Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors entering a four-year college. Shirley Bolinger was a Division Chief with the Chief Administrative Office. Shirley was an active member of the LACAAEA and pushed for the creation of these scholarships. Sadly, Shirley passed away in 1999 before the first scholarships were awarded.
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Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association
