2011-2012 Kunitomi/Suzuki Scholarship – Trent Kajikawa
Trent receiving award from 2011 recipient, Nolan Tcheng
The Community Youth Council (CYC Invitational) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2011-12 Hideo Kunitomi/Paul Suzuki scholarship – Trent Kajikawa from the Pasadena Bruins who currently attends South Pasadena High School.
Trent’s proud parents are Kendric Kajikawa and Lauri Manaka and he has an older brother named Kevin. His grandparents are Mrs. Aki Manaka and Fredric and Chiye Kajikawa.
The Kunitomi/Suzuki Award was established in memory of Hideo Kunitomi and in 2006 in memory of Paul Suzuki. Both are honored for their longtime service and the awards recognize young men who are found to have the qualities held in high esteem by CYC’s member organizations. These qualities include scholastic achievement, active participation in school and community affairs, leadership skills and true sportsmanship. The awards were presented at CYC’s Jamboree event held at Schurr High School on February 26.
Two Runner-Up Awards were given to Bryce Kato from the Sabers who attends Glen A. Wilson High School and Michael Moriyama of Evergreen who goes to Los Altos High School. Honorable mentions were presented to Jordon Dang from the Bruins, Jonathan Haluska from Dodgers, Ryan Ishimaru from Dodgers, Steve Liu from Bruins, Darren Ng from Dodgers and Matthew Ng from the Dodgers.
While maintaining a stellar GPA and receiving several scholastic awards, Trent also made time to be involved in several school activities and served as Junior Class President, Sophomore Treasurer and Speech and Debate Team President/Captain. Trent also volunteered as the Assistant Coach for the Evergreen organization and currently coaches the third grade Evergreen Lakers team. He served as a Rose Parade Student Ambassador, AYSO Soccer Referee and Assistant Coach, Red Cross Blood Drive community volunteer and holds a part-time job at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt shop.
Evergreen Coach Gary Shiroishi notes Trent’s “great character, dedicated service to his team, demonstration of leadership, commitment and sportsmanship.” He continues, “Trent intrinsically understands that the most important thing for each player is ‘Do your best.’ His encouraging words to the boys are especially honorable and refreshing in an age where for some ‘winning is everything.’ Although he is a competitor, his love of the game and his love for the kids transcend what shows on the scoreboard.”
Trent has applied to several universities and plans to major in business/economics as well as engineering.
Kajikawa Family
