South Bay JACL Scholarship Recipients

JANICE KOBATA ZOEGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Janice Kobata Zoeger was born in Gardena, California and spent the World War II years in the Amache, Colorado internment camp. Returning to Gardena in 1945, she graduated from Gardena High School in 1956 and from UCLA in 1961 with a secondary teaching credential.

Janice taught Latin, Biology and Business Skills at Ulysses S. Grant High School in the San Fernando Valley for several years before entering the business world. She was the founder and owner of Athena Business Forms which specialized in the printing of business materials. Janice continued operating her business until her death in 1999.

In December of the year 2000, Janice's husband, John Zoeger, also a retired teacher established a perpetual scholarship award program in her memory. The scholarships are designed to be given to one or more qualified candidates to support their attendance at any college or university of their choice for a Bachelor's or graduate degree in any field of study relating to biological sciences, foreign and/or ancient languages or business.

John Zoeger passed away in 2004 and both the Kobata and Zoeger families are confident that the administration of this gift by the South Bay JACL will serve to memorialize Janice and John's commitment to higher education. The first scholarship was awarded in 2007.Since that date there has been over 41 scholarship recipients and over $26,000 awarded.

JANICE KOBATA ZOEGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT FOR 2026

Hannah Fuyama, daughter of Yoshiki and Hiroko Fuyama of Torrance graduated from South Torrance High School with Scholastic Honors that includes earning the President’s Silver Service Award, earning First Place for the Asahi High School Japanese Speech Contest, she earned the Hope Volunteer Service Gold Award and the California State Seal of Biliteracy.

Hannah’s on campus activities include being Student and Volunteer for Asahi Gakuen, she a Team member for the Intermediate Dance Team and Captain of the Japanese School Sports Festival Dance Performance.

Hannah’s off campus activities includes being a Hope Learning Center Volunteer Tutor, Founding Member for Interact Organization Rotary Club and a Researcher for Mayfield Academy Research Class.

Hannah will be attending the University of California Irvine in the Fall majoring in Social Ecology

Mizuki Yoshida, daughter of Ted Yoshida and and Yumiko Ichikawa of Torrance graduated from North Torrance High School with Scholastic Honors that includes being on the North High School Principal’s Honor Roll with Distinction, placing 3rd Place in Congressional Art Competition and placing 2nd Place in the Visions of Unity Arts Contest.

Mizuki’s on campus activities include being Front Ensemble Captain for the Saxon Regiment Marching Band, she was the President of the Fine Arts Club and was the Publicist. for the school’s Press Club.

Mizuki’s off campus activities includes volunteering for Creative Artists Service Society, she is a Sunday School Teacher’s Aid for West Los Angeles Holiness Church Sunday School. Mizuki is also Teacher’s Aid for Summer Learning Academy and a Volunteer for Innovation Festival.

Mizuki will be attending California State University Long Beach in the Fall majoring in Graphic Design.

Return to SB JACL Scholarships