From left: GVJCI Executive Director Alison Kochiyama; scholarship winners Cary Tanaka, Marissa Yoshizawa, Marisa Kanemitsu, Kristen Ishii and Sandi Isozaki; Larry Hada, GVJCI board member; Charlie Oyagi, GVJCI board president.

GARDENA — The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute presented its 2012 GVJCI Scholarship recipients during its annual carnival on June 23. They are:

Kristen Ishii of South High School, who will attend UCLA;

Sandi Isozaki of North High School, who will attend UC Santa Barbara;

Marissa Kanemitsu of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, who will attend UC Berkeley;

Cary Tanaka of South High School, who will attend UC Santa Barbara;

Marissa Yoshizawa of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, who will attend Pepperdine University.

The GVJCI awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors of the Gardena and South Bay communities affiliated with the GVJCI and its community partners. Emphasis is placed upon community involvement, volunteerism, and future goals.