Award recognizes leaders in excellence in teaching, community involvement.

The Cherry Blossom Festival Southern California is seeking nominations for the 2nd Annual “George Kiriyama Educa­tional Excellence Award.” The deadline for nomination is Friday, March 16. winner will be recognized in a special ceremony on Sat­urday, March 31 on the main stage of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The ideal candidate should have experience in the following areas: Community involvement; Educator at a K-higher Ed; a Champion of change agent; Respected and known in the Asian American community and supporter of Asian American issues; Mentor Asian Americans for leadership positions; Curriculum devel­opment/teacher training in multicultural diversity and some sort of teacher training in the Japanese American experience.

The 2006 recipient of the 1st George Kiriyama Educational Excellence was Esther Taira. A retired teacher, Esther was selected based on four decades of developing instructional materials which promoted multicultural understanding with emphasis the past 20 years on the Japanese American experience.

Kiryama was a lifelong educator and community advocate and volunteer. Prior to his passing of advanced liver cancer on Aug. 16, 2005, George was instrumental in the development of curriculum and trainings which promoted multicultural diversity and mutual respect during his tenure as an educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Kiyo Fukumoto, retired principal Anatola Elementary School, said, “award honors George who dedicated life to improving education for all stu­dents. He would have been proud to know educators are being recognized for making a difference in the field of education.”

According to Wendy Fuijihara An­derson, co-founder and producer of Cherry Blossom Festival, “cre­ation of this award celebrates the visionary leadership that George Kiriyama gave to all in his passion and dedica­tion to education. Nominees should include components of education, mentorship, and advocacy of Asian American and Japanese issues through print, live presenta­tions or film media.”

Iku Kiriyama, wife George, chairs this Award Committee. Prior to retirement from LAUSD, she was a Title adviser Local District 8 in Gardena. Today, continues to promote the work and dedica­tion that both she and George have given to the world of education. According Iku, “It is a wonderful tribute to George to recognize educators who believe in same things George did.”

The Cherry Blossom Festival’s goals are to produce a festival that grows more spectacular yearly – raise funds to expand future festivals and carve a stronger cultural perception to Little Tokyo more visibility, publicity and tourism; and to bridge generations and expose the mainstream population to Japanese cultural arts and history.

Submissions are due by Friday, March 16. To download an application visit www.cherryblossomfestivalsocal.org or call (626) 683-8243.