San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
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ASamurai’s (Kindergarten)<br />
Blast (1 st Grade)<br />
Lakers (1 st Grade)<br />
Ninjas (2 nd Grade Boys)<br />
Swish (2 nd Grade Girls)<br />
Sharks (3 rd Grade Boys)<br />
2012 Athletics Jamboree<br />
By Darlene Yamauchi<br />
The SFV Athletics celebrated its annual Jamboree on Saturday,<br />
April 28, 2012. The girls and boys basketball teams from Kindergarten to 12 th grade<br />
were there to eat, laugh, and rejoice while reminiscing about each other, their<br />
basketball games, the friendships they made, and making plans for future seasons.<br />
With 260 people in attendance, it was the largest Jamboree in recent history.<br />
This year, the event was hosted by the 3 rd grade teams, Jaguars and Sharks.<br />
Emcee Tina Deng enlisted the help of the players from the Jaguars and Sharks to<br />
announce raffle winners throughout the event. The event focused on recognizing<br />
the entire season of hard work by coaches and players, special team accomplishments,<br />
and the perks of developed friendships and sportsmanship.<br />
During the celebration, SFV Athletics presented three athletes with scholarships. Nicole Kaihara was awarded the<br />
Hoshiko Hirano Scholarship, Ryan Yoshida was awarded the Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship, and Leilani Okihara was<br />
awarded the Lauren Taguchi Memorial Youth Service Scholarship.<br />
Jamie Hagiya was the honored guest and gave a moving speech to the players. She<br />
told them to set goals, work hard to reach them, and when you do – be proud of what<br />
you’ve accomplished…and then set even higher goals! She also encouraged them to<br />
never give up, but to learn from each set back and find something to be thankful for. This<br />
advice was heartfelt because she had just tried out for the Los Angeles Sparks only to find<br />
she didn’t make the team because the roster was filled. She told us that she was thankful<br />
for the opportunity and was proud of herself because she gave it her all! Even though she<br />
didn’t make the Sparks, there will always be a spot for her on our Athletics team! On that<br />
note, Jamie will be joining one of our teams -- the Blast --<br />
because they won the two hour coaching session with her!<br />
The evening ended with a wonderful video by Roy<br />
Guest Speaker<br />
Jamie Hagiya<br />
Jaguars (3 rd Grade Girls)<br />
Hawks (4 th Grade Boys)<br />
Wildcats (4 th Grade Girls)<br />
Wasabi (5 th /6 th Grade Boys)<br />
Gang Green (6 th Grade Boys)<br />
Lightning (6 th Grade Girls<br />
6<br />
Thunder (6 th Grade Girls)<br />
Kumiho (7 th Grade Girls)<br />
Tigers (8 th Grade Boys)<br />
Angels (8 th Grade Girls)<br />
Dragons (9 th Grade Boys)<br />
Rockets (9 th Grade Boys<br />
Tenshi (9 th /10 th Grade Girls)<br />
Predators (11 th Grade Boys)<br />
Sparks (11 th Grade Girls)<br />
Magic (12 th Grade Boys)<br />
Thanks to the following donors whose contributions helped make a successful 2012 Jamboree!<br />
Amp Radio (Kris Minami)<br />
Cartoon Network (Karie Gima-Pham)<br />
Chiba <strong>Japanese</strong> Restaurant<br />
Doug & Leah Chong<br />
Patricia Dung<br />
El Monte Optometry<br />
Jamie Hagiya<br />
Nick Hua<br />
Minami featuring all the teams and players. Each player also<br />
received their own personal mister with the SFV Athletics<br />
logo!<br />
Special thanks go out to Tina Deng and Diane O’Halloran<br />
who worked tirelessly planning the event. Aya and John Katzaroff and the Jaguars<br />
coordinated the overabundant array of entrees and desserts that were enjoyed over tables<br />
with basketball-themed decorations handmade by Kris Minami and Stacy Tanaka. The<br />
Sharks helped to ensure the program ran smoothly. Heartfelt appreciation to Lois Okui and<br />
Margaret Takimoto for making the beautifully designed programs; Margaret Takimoto,<br />
<strong>San</strong>dy Sato, Laura Fujita, commissioners, team reps, and numerous others for advice,<br />
important information, responses to emails, and coordination assistance.<br />
Congratulations to all the teams on a great season! Hope to see you next year!<br />
Paul & Nobuko Jonokuchi<br />
Doreen Kawamoto<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Lacy<br />
Loews Hotel <strong>San</strong>ta Monica<br />
Madrid-Hiji Family<br />
Nestlé USA<br />
Karl Nobuyuki<br />
Kay & Nancy Oda<br />
Ralphs Corporation<br />
Mabel Takimoto<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Tanita<br />
The Red Velvet Gourmet<br />
Ultrazone Lasertag<br />
Joyce Wakano Chinn<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Yamaga
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