South Bay JACL Scholarship Recipients

ERNEST K. TSUJIMOTO SCHOLARSHIP

Ernie Tsujimoto, one of the founders of the South Bay Japanese American Citizen League passed away on May 12, 2017. As one of the founders of the South Bay JACL, Ernie spent many, many hours volunteering for many of the activities that the SBJACL held. Most recently, Ernie was on the Planning Committee for the TANOSHII Fun Camp, Japanese American youth cultural education camp for elementary aged students held at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

Ernie Tsujimoto was born in Toole, Utah, a small town outside of Salt Lake City, Utah in March 1935. He was the middle of three boys growing up in Utah. In 1948 the family moved to East Los Angeles where Ernie attended and graduated from Hollenback Junior High School, Roosevelt High School and Los Angeles City College where majored in Electronics.

After college, Ernie worked for Rutherford Electronic in Culver City, California for several years. After that he started his own business with two friends. The company was first called Advanced Automation and later renamed Tri-Phoenix. The company ended when Ernie retired in 2007.

In 2018, after his passing, his family established the Ernest K. Tsujimoto Memorial Scholarship for students planning to attend or be enrolled in a college or university in pursuit of an Undergraduate/Graduate Degree majoring in the STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

ERNEST TSUJIMOTO SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT FOR 2025

Brandon Takahashi, son of Scott ad Riva Takahashi Torrance graduated from Bishop Montgomery High School with many academic achievements including the California Scholarship Award Honorary Member, National Society of High School Scholars Honorary Member, Principal’s Honor Roll Award, Honors Intro to Calculus Department Award, the George Montgometry Scholar Award and the CIF Scholar Athlete Award.

Brandon’s on campus activities includes being the Treasurer for the Associated Student Body, member of the Key Club, the Esports, the Lectio Divina Club and the Cultural Awareness Club. Brandon was also on the Varsity Tennis.

Brandon’s off campus activities include volunteering and a member for the St. Lawrence Faith Ministry and a volunteer for the Community Children’s Food Drive.

Brandon will be attending the University of California San Diego in the fall, majoring in Business Economics.

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