Ten High School Seniors, Recipients of Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service, Make Life Better for America's Economically and Socially Isolated

Business Wire, Sept 13, 2004

WASHINGTON -- "The plight of Americans who remain on the fringes of economic opportunity, or who are disconnected from our rich social fabric, may be lost in the cacophony of election year politics. But the ten high school seniors we are honoring with the 2004 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community are making sure people in their community don't get lost. Their actions remind us that we are capable of rising above sound bites and slogans. They show us the power of authentic leadership, selfless leadership that comes from the heart," said Barbara Dyer, President & CEO of The Hitachi Foundation.

The Hitachi Foundation named 10 high school seniors as recipients of the 2004 Yoshiyama Award. In addition, 6 nominees were named finalists and 20 others semifinalists for this prestigious award.

"The changes made by these young men and women are substantial and sustaining," commented David Dodson, Hitachi Foundation Board member and Co-Chair of the Yoshiyama Award Selection Committee. "Their efforts range from leading the charge to build a public library in a county without one to spearheading Boston's first-ever job fair for the homeless, from creating a program that prepares youth in foster care who are 'aging out' of the system for the business world to instituting a computer training program for Latino immigrant, agricultural workers."

The 2004 Yoshiyama Award recipients will participate in a leadership retreat and be honored at a luncheon to take place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on October 12, 2004. Each will receive a $5,000 gift.

Selected by a diverse committee from 151 eligible nominations submitted by teachers, community leaders, and others directly affiliated with youth organizations, the 2004 Yoshiyama Award recipients are:

Nadiya Beckwith-Stanley, Franklin High School, Seattle, WA: Nadiya challenges racist practices and seeks to build a world of racial equality and social justice. Nadiya started as a volunteer with the Seattle Young People Project's Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) -- a group of high school students and adults who "organize against individual and institutional racism in Seattle's Public schools through education, building personal relationships and action." She is developing a high school ethnic studies curriculum and has helped organize a rally to protest racism in Seattle schools.

Jason Crowe, Sky Flight Academy, Newburg, IN: Jason promotes peace, nonviolence, and social activism. At the age of 9 Jason created and published a kid's newspaper to raise money for cancer research -- today the newspaper is circulated in 29 states and 19 countries. At age 10, Jason organized a local peace concert and by 11 he spearheaded an annual spring food drive for the needy, which is now in its seventh season. He organized Youth for Peace, an international group of young people who meet online to discuss peace projects. And in 2000, Jason established a literacy program that promotes multicultural harmony.

P. Caitlyn Day, The Day School (home school), New Castle, VA: Caitlyn spearheaded a campaign to establish a public library in her rural county of 5,500 people. Caitlyn helped organize Craig County Friends of the Library, Inc., a nonprofit community organization with a goal of opening the first public library in Craig County -- the only county in Virginia without a library. Caitlyn has taken the lead in collecting books, organizing fundraisers, speaking with other groups to gain support, and renovating the building. Caitlyn has contacted state and federal legislators and as a result of her efforts, her Congressman secured $125,000 for the project.

Oscar Flores, Watsonville High School, Watsonville, CA: Oscar breaks through negative stereotypes in his agricultural, rural, stratified community. Oscar is a teacher and project technician for the Rural Technology and Information Project -- a computer literacy program for Latino immigrant farm worker parents through the Association of Mexican-American Educators (AMAE). In this capacity he has created and implemented a workshop curriculum and developed the website. Oscar has also continuously fought for the rights of Mexican-American families in his community, including working to protect a bilingual school from closure.

Caitlin Gorski, Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, MA: Caitlin reaches out to the homeless. While volunteering at a homeless shelter, Caitlin realized that although many of the homeless are ready and willing to work, they are not given jobs because of their status. Caitlin conceptualized plans for a job fair that targets the homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals. She partnered with social service and employment agencies in Boston, found sources for donations, and arranged to use the Boston City Hall Plaza site -- Job Fair 2003 brought together 1,200 homeless individuals with 20 potential employers.

Duane Johnson, South Division High School, Milwaukee, WI: Duane promotes peace. The neighborhood surrounding Duane's high school has a history of violence and drugs. Duane transformed this community by creating a coffee shop on school grounds, later titled the "World Cafe," in recognition of the culturally diverse community. The entirely student-run coffee shop is designed to serve as a safe location for youth and adults to gather while providing a unique learning opportunity for the student volunteers. There have been no reported incidents of violence in the surrounding area since the coffee shop opened.