2026 Scholarship Recipients
By Janet Tajii
We are pleased to announce the five recipients of the JACL Scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year. We are proud to support this outstanding group of students and wish them every success in their academic pursuits and future careers.
Wyatt Hansen
Frank Oda Memorial Scholarship – $1,500
Wyatt will attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he will major in Business Entrepreneurship. A graduate of St. Vincent de Paul College Preparatory, Wyatt earned numerous academic and athletic honors and is a published author in the Library of Congress. He has completed nearly 200 hours of community service through organizations including the Navy Memorial Internship Program, the Petaluma Rotary Club, Miracle League, Enmanji Buddhist Temple, and his high school.
Eliana Curtis
Sonoma County JACL Scholarship – $1,500
Eliana will attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she will major in Pre-Business Economics. A graduate of Credo High School, she was active in Student Council, taught herself microeconomics, and held leadership positions in school athletics. She also worked as a sound technician for her church and volunteered by preparing and serving meals for people in need, as well as participating in community nature clean-up projects through her church youth group.
Mia Russotti
Sonoma County JACL Scholarship (funded by historical Japanese Language School) – $1,000
Mia will attend Sonoma State University, where she will major in Accounting. A graduate of Maria Carrillo High School, she earned academic honors while participating in athletics, serving as an officer in the Athletic Training Club, and taking a leadership role in the Yearbook class.
Kai Iwamoto
Margaret Wallman Upper Division Scholarship – $1,500
Kai attends the University of California, Riverside, where he is pursuing majors in Public Policy and Business Administration. He has received multiple academic honors at UC Riverside and serves on the External Engagement Team for the UCR School of Public Policy. He also completed an internship in the district office for California Senate District 19.
Bruce Arao
Faye Uyeda Memorial Healthcare Emphasis Scholarship – $2,500
Bruce attends the University of California, Berkeley, where he is pursuing dual master’s degrees in Public Policy and Public Health. This past year, he served as an instructor for a graduate-level economics course and completed internships with Health Plan of San Mateo and Petaluma Health Center. At Petaluma Health Center, he worked to identify gaps in care that leave the most vulnerable members of the community without adequate support.
The Sonoma County JACL offers many scholarships for incoming college freshmen, upper division students, and graduate students. JACL membership is NOT required (except for the Marie Mariko Sugiyama Continuing Education Grant).
All scholarships require the applicant to be a resident of Sonoma or Marin Counties, or have a parent or grandparent a resident of Sonoma or Marin Counties.
Please mail all scholarship application materials to:
Sonoma County JACL Scholarship Committee
C/O Janet Tajii
515 Petaluma Ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
If you have questions or need more information: scholarship@sonomacountyjacl.org
Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors:
Due Date: April 15, 2026.
For each of these scholarships, use the application:
2026 Incoming College Freshman Scholarship Application (PDF)
2026 Incoming College Freshman Scholarship Application (DOC)
Submit the following required material with the completed application form:
- List of scholastic honors
- High school activities and work history
- Community involvement with emphasis on Asian American/JACL involvement
- Personal Statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- 1 copy of an official transcript* Transcripts must remain sealed to be considered official
** All applications must be complete at the time of submission and meet the stated deadlines in order to be considered. Materials may not be submitted separately.
James Murakami Memorial Scholarship – $3000
Requirements:
- 3.8+ weighted GPA
- Emphasis on JACL involvement
This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of James F. Murakami. He was a man who served his country and stood up for the rights of others. Besides his dedication and service to our local chapter, serving as president for many years as well as keeping track of our activities and duties, he served as National President of the JACL. He was instrumental in the redress efforts, both locally and nationally. He also served as one of the founding advisors to the local youth group, initially known as the Sonoma County Jr. JACL.
Frank Oda Memorial Scholarship – $1500
Requirements:
- 3.8+ weighted GPA
- Emphasis on community involvement
This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Frank Oda. He served three terms as our Sonoma County JACL president. He served as our administrator, tracking activities and duties and keeping people informed and involved. He was a recipient of the National JACLer of the Biennium Award in 1972. Frank dedicated a lot of time and effort to promote JACL and worked to benefit our community.
Sonoma County JACL Scholarship – $1500
Requirements:
- 3.5+ weighted GPA
This is one of the original scholarships established by the Sonoma County JACL for eligible students.
Petaluma Japanese Sunday School Scholarships (2): – $1000 each
Requirements:
- 3.0+ weighted GPA
- Japanese ancestry
- One scholarship required residency in Sonoma County, the second scholarship requires residence and high school attendance in Rohnert Park/Cotati or Petaluma High School districts.
These scholarships were established on behalf of a Japanese language school, which was held on Sundays for local residents.
Sonoma County JACL Student Grant – $1000 each
Requirements:
- Demonstration of financial need
This grant will be awarded on a one-time basis to a qualified applicant who demonstrated financial need for pursuing his or her education. The applicant must fill out the financial information to be qualified for this scholarship.
Scholarship for College Juniors/Seniors:
Margaret Wallman Upper Division Scholarship – $1500
Due Date: April 15, 2026
2026 Margaret Wallman Upper Division Application (PDF)
2026 Margaret Wallman Upper Division Application (DOC)
Scholarships for Graduate Students:
Sonoma County JACL Graduate Student Scholarship – $2500
Due Date: May 1, 2026
2026 Graduate School Scholarship Application (PDF)
2026 Graduate School Scholarship Application (DOC)
2026 Graduate School Renewal Scholarship Application (PDF)
2026 Graduate School Renewal Scholarship Application (DOC)
Faye Uyeda Memorial Healthcare Emphasis Scholarship – $2500
Due Date: May 1, 2026
2026 Faye Uyeda Memorial Graduate Scholarship Healthcare Emphasis Application (PDF)
2026 Faye Uyeda Memorial Graduate Scholarship Healthcare Emphasis Application (DOC)
2026 Faye Uyeda Memorial Graduate Renewal Scholarship Healthcare Emphasis Application (PDF)
2026 Faye Uyeda Memorial Graduate Renewal Scholarship Healthcare Emphasis Application (DOC)
For Those Wishing to Further Their Education and/or Pursue Knowledge:
Marie Mariko Sugiyama Continuing Education Grant – up to $250 each
Due Date: This is on ongoing program. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Requirements:
- Sonoma County JACL membership required
2026 Marie Sugiyama Continuing Education Scholarship Application (PDF)
2026 Marie Sugiyama Continuing Education Scholarship Application (DOC)
National JACL Scholarship:
Students may be eligible for an additional scholarship through the National JACL. Scholarship Program guidelines, instructions, and applications have been posted on the JACL website, www.jacl.org/scholarships.