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Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
The Kevyn Nojima Memorial Academic Scholarship is awarded in honor of former Mustangs member, Kevyn Nojima. Kevyn began playing basketball with the Mustangs at age 7. At Schurr High School, Kevyn served as varsity captain and point guard for his team, which captured the co-league championship. Kevyn earned first team all-league honors. Despite a cancer diagnosis at age 19, Kevyn continued to coach Mustangs teams, work with the LA Clippers on video projects, and attend ELACC studying communications. Prior to his death, Kevyn set up a foundation to help other terminal cancer patients.
Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award is awarded in honor of former Mustangs coach and volunteer, Yosh Hirai. Yosh developed his love for basketball at an early age, and continued to play throughout his life. In addition to playing basketball, Yosh devoted countless hours volunteering, coaching, organizing and assisting with numerous community organizations, including Monterey Park Mustangs, CYC, Bella Vista Optimist, Little Tokyo Rec. Center and Monterey Park Citizen Patrol. Yosh endeared himself to all those around him with his easy smile, friendliness and sense of humor.
Scholarship Recipients honored by the Mustangs organization
Scholarship Recipients honored by the Mustangs organization
Katie Chung
Katie Chung
2025 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Riley Woo
Riley Woo
2025 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship (Honorable Mention)
Caden Giberti
Caden Giberti
2024 Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Renae Tamura
Renae Tamura
2017 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Ivan Ip
Ivan Ip
2017 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Joshua Kim
Joshua Kim
2017 Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Taylor Yoshida
Taylor Yoshida
2017 Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Alex Der
Alex Der
2015 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Rece Kunisaki
Rece Kunisaki
2016 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Kaitlyn Lee
Kaitlyn Lee
2016 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Madisen Yasuda
Madisen Yasuda
2016 Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Blake Yokoyama
Blake Yokoyama
2016 Yosh Hirai Memorial Service Award
Brandon Lung
Brandon Lung
2010 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Curtis Isozaki
Curtis Isozaki
2010 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship (Honorable Mention)
Ryan Chun
Ryan Chun
2008 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship
Kazuto Nakamura
Kazuto Nakamura
2008 Kevyn Nojima Memorial Scholarship (Honorable Mention)
Hideo Kunitomi / Paul Suzuki Scholarship Award
Hideo Kunitomi / Paul Suzuki Scholarship Award
In memory of Hideo Kunitomi and Paul Suzuki to honor both men for their long term service to CYC. A college scholarship is awarded to a young man who excels in the following areas: scholastic achievement, active participation in school and community affairs, leadership skills and true sportsmanship.
Mark Shimasaki Service Award
Mark Shimasaki Service Award
In honor of Mark Shimasaki for his long term service to CYC. This award will honor those individuals who have participated and given back to CYC, their organization and community. Also, to recognize and honor boys who are role models for future generations of CYC.
Scholarship Recipients honored by CYC / JAO
Scholarship Recipients honored by CYC / JAO
Kai Yokoyama
Kai Yokoyama
Kai Yokoyama is the recipient of the 2018-2019 Mark Shimasaki Service Award. Kai is also active in many clubs and community service such as PETA, Math Club, Keppel Gives Back, Basketball, Year book Club, Senshin Jr YBA, Boy Scouts, Mark Keppel Basketball, Sierra Club, Gedatsu Autumn Moon Festival setup/cleanup, Cherry Blossom Festival setup/cleanup, Mustang Clinics and Summer Night Lights. Kai currently attending East LA City College enrolled in the (TAG) UC Transfer Admissions Guarantee program. This program will guarantee him a transfer to any UC or CSU school after 2 years where he can continue his education in the field of Computer Science or Environmental Engineering. After taking an AP course on Environmental Science, he would like to develop and implement solutions to Global warming, pollution, waste management and energy.
Renae Tamura
Renae Tamura
Renae Tamura is the recipient of the 2017 JAO Scholarship. Renae is the daughter of Steve and Jadene Tamura, and big sis to Noelle. Renae and her best friend / teammate Taylor Yoshida have played with the Mustangs Rainbows since kindergarten at age 5. Renae was a 4 year varsity member and 2 year captain for the girls’ basketball team at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada Flintridge, where the team captured the 2016 CIF-SS Div 5-AA Championship and Renae was awarded Player of the Year. Renae was also a member of Yonsei 20 that traveled to Fukuoka, Japan in 2013. In addition to basketball, Renae’s school activities included 3 years varsity volleyball, 1 year varsity track and 2 years dance. She is also a 2 year member of the Athletic Council on Leadership (including service to Boys & Girls Club, Special Olympics, Union Station Homeless Shelter), and continues to serve as a Peer Counselor to 9th graders, and as a Senior Leader tutoring Algebra I and II at Flintridge Prep. Renae will be attending Pomona College beginning Fall 2017, where she plans to double major in mathematics and science, and will be a member of the Pomona-Pitzer Women’s Basketball Team.
Justin Hayata
Justin Hayata
Justin Hayata is the CYC Hideo Kunitomi/Paul Suzuki scholarship recipient for 2016-2017, and was presented with the award at the annual CYC Jamboree held at Schurr High School on February 26. He is the son of Wes and Doris Hayata and big brother to his 15 year old sister, Courtney. Justin played basketball with the Jets/Jetts organization on the Jets HyperForce team from Kindergarten to 8th grade, then with the Mustangs organization on the Mustangs Inferno team from 9th grade to 12th grade. He “looked forward to the games every week” and appreciates growing up, learning about teamwork, and making lifelong friends through CYC, the Mustangs and Jet/Jetts basketball programs. He was the captain of his Frosh/Soph high school basketball team and also ran Varsity for the Arcadia High School Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He received the Athlete of the Year Award in 8th grade, and in high school has received the Scholar-Athlete award, Tri-athlete award, and is a California Scholarship Federation Gold candidate. In addition to maintaining his academic excellence and training for his various sports, he enjoyed giving back to the community by working with the youth and teaching them his favorite sport at the Mustangs Basketball clinics. He also provided assistance at community carnivals, and volunteered with various environmental groups including Heal the Bay, Habitat for Humanity and the Sierra Club.
Rece Kunisaki
Rece Kunisaki
At the 2017 CYC Annual Jamboree, Mustangs Titans Rece Kunisaki is recognized and awarded the Kunitomi/Suzuki Scholarship. It is a college scholarship given to an exceptional CYC player who has excel in academics, school and community affairs, leadership and sportsmanship.
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