The Rafu Shimpo - L.A. Japanese Daily News

CYC Presents Yearly Awards
Saturday, March 17, 2007

Kunitomi/Suzuki Award winner Jason Woo (with trophy) poses with Joe Woo, left, CYC Official Charlene Nishimura and Yoko Woo.

Phil Teramoto, third from left, winner of the Kohashi/Taniguchi Award, with wife Betty, left, daughter Erin, son Darrin and CYC Trustee Yosh Hirai.

On Feb. 25, the Community Youth Council Board and Trustees announced the recipient of the 2006-2007 Hideo Kunitomi/Paul Suzuki scholarship award as Jason Woo of the Monterey Park Mustangs. Also presented was the Kohashi/Taniguchi Award, to former CYC co-commissioner Phil Teramoto.

Jason is the son of Joe and Yuko Woo of Monterey Park and is currently a senior at St. Francis High School. He has been playing with the Mustangs organization for the past nine years and also has been coaching the Mustangs Dragons, a team of seven-year-old boys.

Jason quoted Barack Obama, who said, “Success is how useful you are to someone,” and he commented, “Coaching a team has been an enriching experience and an excellent opportunity to give back to the CYC community.” Jason also said that his longtime coach Mark Saito had a significant influence on his life and involvement in community service.

Jason is an all-around scholar, excelling in math, foreign language, history, science and English as well as winning several awards throughout his school years. He has maintained a 4.03 grade point average throughout high school.

In addition to basketball, he was involved in JV Track and Field and JV and Varsity Cross Country where he was the Captain of the JV team. He also managed to serve in a leadership position for his school’s Key Club, Art Club, Campus Ministry and the Yearbook Committee and was the Senior Class Vice President.

He credits his grandfather, who started his own business designing and manufacturing auto parts for Nissan Motors in Yokohama, Japan, as a key role model who stressed that Jason could also contribute to the improvement of society. Jason plans to attend a private East Coast university and will major in Mechanical Engineering.

Jason was presented with a check for $1,500 at an awards ceremony at the CYC Jamboree.

In addition, three other young men were presented alternate awards. They include Kevin Kajikawa of the Pasadena Bruins, who attends South Pasadena High School, Brent Young of Evergreen, who goes to Mark Keppel High School, and Bryan Kiumra of the Tigers organization, who attends Arcadia High School.

The Kunitomi/Suzuki Award was established in memory of the late Hideo Kunitomi and in 2006, in memory of Paul Suzuki. Both are honored for their longtime service to CYC. Each year, CYC recognizes individuals who exemplify the qualities held in high esteem by our member organizations, which include scholastic ability, active participation in school and community affairs, leadership skills and true sportsmanship.

The Kohashi/Taniguchi award is given to an adult who has made extraordinary contribution to the CYC program. This year’s recipient, Phil Teramoto, has been involved with CYC for many years. He has been a Pasadena Bruin representative to CYC for many years and was co-commissioner of CYC basketball program in 2005. The commissioner is responsible for the complete operation of the basketball program throughout the year.

This year, Phil was the head scorekeeper, whose duties included obtaining and scheduling all the scorekeepers for all CYC league play. In addition, whenever he is asked to help with other CYC-related duties, he has been more than willing to help.

He is married to Betty and has a son, Darrin, and a daughter, Erin.

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