Congratulations to our 2022 Sara Hutchings Clardy scholarship recipients. Four high school seniors were presented $2,500.00 scholarships at our Golden Week celebration at the Japanese Friendship Garden on April 25, 2022. Our 2022 JACL AZ Scholarship Recipients are (in alphabetical order):
Erika Germinario, Xavier College Preparatory
Erika is a member of her high school’s Track and Field and Cross country teams as team captain. She is the current president of the Classical Music Club and an accomplished pianist. She has volunteered at the AZ Matsuri Festival and with Engineering Projects in Community Service. She is a member of National Honor Society and Computer Science Honor Society at Xavier College Preparatory.
Jaeden Nagai, Northwest Christian School
Jaeden earned a spot on the All Academic Volleyball team for 2 years. She has served as a Student Ambassador helping other students and at school events. She has a passion for music and theater and earned three top awards in the AZ District National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions. In 2019, she volunteered at an orphanage in Mexico and Feed My Starving Children.
Cole Siegrist, Perry High School
Cole has earned many academic awards including National Merit Letter of Commendation, Orchestra And Academic Letters. He is a member of his high school’s rigorous STEM program and Chamber Orchestra where he plays piano and viola. He has served as Co-President for two years on the AZ Buddhist Temple’s youth organization and helped lead the annual Southern District Jr. YBL conference for 80 youth members.
Photo: Scholarship winners (left to right) Nanako Sugiyama, Jaeden Nagai and Erika Germinario.
Nanako Sugiyama, BASIS Phoenix
Nanako has been on her school’s Cross Country team for 5 years and a founding member of the K-Pop Club. She is a 4 year member of the National Chinese Honors Society as well as the Anime Club. She has earned many academic awards such as AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Calculus Student of the Year and Studio Art Class Student of the Year. She is currently the Co-President of the AZ Buddhist Temple’s Jr. YBA (Young Buddhist Association). She is currently interning here at the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Congratulations to our hard working and talented recipients and their parents on your accomplishments. Best wishes to you as you enter this exciting next chapter in your lives.
Photo: Scholarship winner Cole Seigrist with Denise Fuse, scholarship committee chair. Cole was unable to attend the ceremony due to a previously-scheduled college tour.