VOLUME 24 FALL 2016 photo credit: Josh Keokanlaya THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS! $50,000 in scholarships were Le, Ruth Martinez, Christine Kim- bring this year’s scholarship program awarded at the 36th annual NSRCF Tai Plautz, Khamphoui Singvongsa, to its successful conclusion. ceremony on June 12 at the Silver Michael Tanimura, Alan Thavisouk, Seafood restaurant in the Uptown Hai Long Tran, Stacy Uchida, Justine Many thanks are also extended to neighborhood of Chicago. 160 Urbikas and Joliana Yee. It bears the following community partners: recipients, parents, siblings and repeating every year that the NSRCF Japanese American Service friends, joined with local awards board of directors could not fulfill Committee (JASC), Cambodian committee members and NSRCF its mission without the enthusiasm, Association of Illinois, Lao American board members to congratulate the commitment, and countless hours of Organization of Elgin (LAOE) , 32 high school seniors on their past really hard work put in by the local Lao American Community Services, accomplishments and to wish them scholarship awards committees. 2016 Vietnamese Association of Illinois, well in their college pursuits. was no exception. The Chicago Asian Americans Advancing Justice committee faced many daunting – Chicago, and Northeastern Illinois The NSRCF board of directors gives challenges during the application University. Special recognition is a hearty and appreciative THANK process and all credit goes to the co- given to LAOE and its Director of YOU to this year’s excellent co-chairs chairs and committee members for Youth Services, Alan Thavisouk, Diep Nguyen and Michael Takada their determined efforts to get the whose enthusiasm and persistence and their stellar committee: Amy word out, follow-up, outreach and enabled 15 Lao American students Houlihan, Thavary Krouch, Tuyet network, encourage and persist to continued on next page NISEI STUDENT RELOCATION COMMEMORATIVE FUND WWW.NSRCFUND.ORG to receive a scholarship. In all of his internment. Three correspondence Alan never failed recipients were to say, “Thank you for giving us the chosen by the opportunity to be a part of this great committee to service!” speak: Alec Seng, the Jiro and Tama The NSRCF board members who Ishihara Scholar; attended were Yutaka Kobayashi Charlie Chansiri, and his wife Maureen, Jean Hibino, the Lafayette and Jim McIlwain, and Stephen Hibino. Mayme Noda Longtime Fund supporters also Scholar; and in attendance were Hannah Tani Hilary Pham, the Hogan, a Nisei from Vernon Hills, American Friends Illinois; Tom and Mary Ann Hibino Service Committee Scholar. [Please Hoang. The third new named from Massachusetts; and Shelley read the excerpts of their inspiring scholarship is named for Colonel Kurata and her daughter Courtney speeches in this newsletter.] Joseph Y. Kurata of San Francisco from California. and was awarded to Nathan Chin. Three new named scholarships These special scholarships are Michael Takada, co-chair and were awarded this year. Shelley highlighted in this newsletter. CEO of JASC was the MC of Kurata was thrilled to be able to Everyone was treated to a wonderful the afternoon’s program. The present the Shim and Chiyo Hiraoka multi-course Chinese banquet, and keynote speaker was Trish Morita- Scholarship in honor of her parents the program concluded with the Mullaney, Assistant Professor of to Christopher Rattanasamay. presentation of award certificates, English Language Learning at Yutaka and Maureen Kobayashi, endless photos, happy and proud Purdue University. She spoke of her even though they were trapped on families and much good cheer, a journey from San Francisco to the the Logan Airport tarmac for three wonderful affirmation of the Fund’s Midwest and her family’s history hours, made it just in time to present work. CONGRATULATIONS TO and experiences during their WWII their named scholarship to Phoebe THE CLASS OF 2016! I was awarded a scholarship in 2008 and I am sorry that it took me so long to give back; I also wish that I could give more. Receiving the scholarship gave me such pride and inspiration. In the past eight years, I graduated from the University of Arizona (studying economics and accounting) and soon began work at a local accounting firm doing audits of governmental and nonprofit entities. I recently left the firm to finish out the requirements to become a certified public accountant and am happy to say that I have succeeded and am now a CPA! I held on to your mailed newsletters after receiving the scholarship to motivate myself to work hard and give back. I try to be the best person I can be and I sincerely hope that I can give more in future. - Peter Trinh (2008 Scholarship Awardee) NISEI STUDENT RELOCATION COMMEMORATIVE FUND 2 Dear NSRCF supporters and friends, It is with heavy hearts that the board chair the awards committee. She is acknowledges the passing of former currently lining up co-chairs to assist In celebrating the Fund’s 36th board member and friend, Bob her with the undertaking. A group anniversary we extend our thanks Maeda on January 30, 2016 at age of skilled, interested and enthusiastic to all who supported its mission and 83. Bob retired from our board in folks have already been meeting, work throughout the year, allowing us 2014, we miss his leadership, steady, and we are confident of a successful to provide educational opportunities quiet presence and laid back sense of outcome. for students in the Greater Chicago humor. area. And last but not least, thank you Four Named Scholarships have to the Fund’s supporters. Your This year’s awards ceremony recently been established: Colonel unwavering belief in the mission was held on June 12th. Joseph Y. Kurata; Shim and Chiyo and work keeps us going. We look CONGRATULATIONS to co- Hiraoka; Yutaka and Maureen forward with anticipation to the chairs Diep Nguyen and Michael Kobayashi; and Ryozo Glenn coming year. Takada and committee members Kumekawa, bringing the number of Amy Houlihan, Thavary Krouch, these special awards to 19. Named With appreciation, Tuyet Le, Ruth Martinez, Christine Scholarships make it possible to give Kim-Tai Plautz, Khamphoui an annual $2000 scholarship, the NSRCF Board of Directors Singvongsa, Michael Tanimura, Alan largest amount the Fund awards, Paul Watanabe, President Thavisouk, Hai Long Tran, Stacy to outstanding students. They are Stephen Y. Hibino, Treasurer Uchida, Justine Urbikas and Joliana established in different ways, from Jean Y. Hibino, Executive Secretary Yee. Their long hours of hard work a lump sum to yearly donations to Kesaya E. Noda, Recording Secretary over many months enabled $50,000 bring a Tribute Fund or Legacy Fund Islanda Khau Naughton in scholarships to be awarded to 32 up to Named Scholarship Level, or Yutaka Kobayashi, deserving high school students. Four established by the board of directors. Awards Committee National Liaison board members attended the awards If you would like more information Phuoc Van Le ceremony, joining parents, siblings, on starting a Named Fund or James McIlwain friends, and supporters in celebrating contributing to an already existing Laura H. Misumi their achievements. one, please contact us. Keith Schuricht May O. Takayanagi To date, the NSRC Fund has SPECIAL RECOGNITION to Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy awarded nearly 900 scholarships David Aman of Hanover, NH who totaling nearly $910,000. We will is in charge of the Fund’s database, be reaching the 1000/$1Million mailing list and in general, keeper of milestone in a few years. The board the information. David has been with of directors remains an all-volunteer us for over 15 years. We cannot do group. We are committed to keeping our work without you. operating costs to a minimum so that gifts to the Fund go primarily towards The 2017 scholarships will be scholarships. (The NSRC Fund’s awarded in Lowell, Massachusetts financial statement is made available and the potential area covered will upon written request.) As of July 1, be eastern Massachusetts and Rhode 2016 the Fund stands at just over $1.6 Island. Thank you to board member million dollars. Phitsamay Uy who has agreed to NISEI STUDENT RELOCATION COMMEMORATIVE FUND WWW.NSRCFUND.ORG IN THEIR OWN WORDS ALEC SENG HILARY PHAM CHARLIE CHANSIRI Tama and Jiro Ishihara scholarship American Friends Service Lafayette and Mayme Noda recipient Committee scholarship recipient scholarship recipient I come from a family who I grew up on the north side I want to acknowledge my has suffered and survived the of Chicago in Albany Park, a appreciation towards my parents Cambodian genocide and migrated neighborhood known for its ethnic for their unconditional love and to America for better opportunity diversity but did not include many support on my journey; they have because America was seen as a other Asian families. My parents, supported me every step of the sanctuary and as a place where both proud of their Vietnamese way and continue to believe in all of one could start over and achieve and Chinese backgrounds, took the my endeavors. Their discipline has anything as long as they worked situation in stride and never let my allowed me to see the potential in hard enough. My family escaped to surroundings hinder me. When my my own abilities and utilize the skills I America in 1981 as refugees from the mother was fourteen years old, she have obtained. Khmer Rouge and was sponsored escaped from Vietnam with only to live in Chicago to start a better her two younger sisters, the clothes Establishing a goal is one part, but life. This wasn't easy because they on their backs, and sights set on the manifesting the goal in reality is the didn't know much English and future. For two years, she lived in a progression. Establishing goals are didn't have any experience living in refugee camp in Malaysia.