The Seabrook Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) held their annual recognitions banquet at the Edgar Joyce Senior Center in Seabrook on June 26, at which time members graduating from high school and college were announced by Scholarship Chairperson Lenore Wurtzel.
Graduates acknowledged were Ellie Pak, graduating from St. Peter’s School in Philadelphia; Shayde DeSail, from Millville Senior High School; Hannah Darrow with a Bachelor of Science(BS) in French and Computer Science from the University of Maryland; Aaron Mukoda with an MBA from the Wharton School and JD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law; Lindsay Nakai, with a BS in Nursing from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA ; and Benjamin Tolbert with a BS in Corporate Finance, from Virginia Tech University .
JACL member Irene Nagao Kaneshiki presented high school graduate Shayde DeSail with the Charles and Mary Nagao Scholarship from the Seabrook JACL. The seven other JACL Citizenship awards sponsored by the Chapter and awarded to seniors of the six area high schools and the Woodruff Middle School graduates were also acknowledged.
Millville High Senior graduate Shayde participated in the program with a reading of the JACL Creed, espousing the responsibilities and advantages of being a citizen of the United States. She was also awarded a key to the Township of Upper Deerfield by Mayor Jim Crilley whose advice to students on their journey in life was well received by all.
The keynote speaker for the event was Paul Uyehara, recently retired Senior Attorney for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice whose career in the legal justice system spanned 43 years. His national responsibilities significantly impacted federal policy and court systems in their efforts to ensure equal justice for all, especially for those of limited English-speaking proficiency. His message of continued awareness and service impacting the community in making preparation for a successful life, resonated for both young and old present at the event.
As Governor of the Eastern District Council of the JACL, Mr. Uyehara proceeded to install the Seabrook Chapter Executive Board for the year. Stefanie Pierce continues to serve as the president of the Seabrook JACL for the upcoming year and board member Kelly Kuwabara has accepted the responsibilities of treasurer. The 12-member executive board continues in its efforts to support activities for its membership and to support other worthy community service organizations.
Mayor of Upper Deerfield Township Jim Crilley gave closing remarks with the advice to students to “Make your parents proud whatever you do.” According to Stefanie Pierce, “The event was an auspicious beginning for the upcoming 2024-2025 year for the Seabrook JACL Chapter and its graduates.”
