2022 CYS Scholarship Award Winners
We are proud to offer scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have been CYS program alumni as they go off to college. We are honored to have been part of their journey so far, and wish for their continued success.
Rina Mok
"CYS has given me the opportunity to meet new people and make lasting connections, but also gave me the confidence to be proud of my own culture. I’ve learned my fair share of leadership skills and will continue to utilize them as I go to college. In the future, I hope to carry these relationships and lessons with me and spread my culture to others."
College: UC Davis
Major: Food Science
Emily Nakashima
“An organization that is based around a specific culture, such as San Jose CYS, fosters a welcoming community and provides a sense of identity and belonging for its members. It becomes a part of who they are.”
College: UC Davis
Major: Biology
Sean Sakae
“As a young adult, the San Jose CYS organization has been a pivotal experience of my adolescence, and has provided valuable lessons applicable to other aspects of my life— preparing me for a future I’ll be proud of. Learning about sportsmanship, teamwork, and humility as a young, aspiring basketball player paved a path of personal growth in hopes of eventually reaching my full potential as not simply a basketball player, but most importantly as an individual.”
College: Chapman University
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nate Shimada
“The environment that CYS creates is ideal for learning strong morals and values. At first glance, basketball may seem like just a sport. However, it has had meaning in my life beyond shooting a jump shot. Basketball has taught me lessons such as discipline, patience, and teamwork. Each of these have been ingrained in me by my coaches throughout the years and become part of who I am.”
College: Santa Clara University
Major: Computer Science/Engineering
Ryan Sung
"CYS allowed me to understand how similar yet different Asian people can be, and has helped me understand the diverse nature of the ethnic background that I am proud to be a part of."
College: University of Southern California
Major: Business Administration of the Cinematic Arts