The Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC) recently announced the recipients of its 2017 scholarship. Ryan Moore, JETAANC Scholarship Coordinator, proudly named Mira Gordon, Berkeley High School, and Jorge Rodriguez Silva, Alisal High School, Salinas, as recipients. The JETAANC scholarship selection committee was especially impressed with the recipients’ combined academic excellence, sustained interest in Japan, and extracurricular activities.
Mira has an active interest in Zen, Japanese language, and Japan’s educational system. She has participated in a six-week homestay in rural Wakayama Prefecture and attended high school there. After the experience, she commented, “I now look at the world through the lens of two different cultures.” Mira will be attending Barnard College in New York City from the fall.
Jorge has been a tireless member of Japanese clubs in the Salinas Union High School District. He has been involved in many Japanese speech contests for which he has received several awards. Reflecting upon these contests, Jorge noted, “All those times I stood up in front of a crowd in order to share my speech will be cherished forever because it is a testament to the power of language in society.” Jorge will be attending Pomona College in Claremont, California, from the fall.
Annually, the JETAANC honors one or two high school seniors who have demonstrated interest in Japan and academic excellence, made outstanding contributions to their communities, and been accepted into an accredited college or university. 2017 marked a record number of applicants.
For more information about the JETAANC Scholarship, contact Ryan Moore at scholarship@jetaanc.org.View Press Release (PDF)
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