The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program is now accepting applications for its 23rd annual program (2026-27).
Any interested high school student can apply now online.
Rising Stars is a seven-month program that takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Union Church in Little Tokyo. It begins on Oct. 3, 2026, and concludes on April 10, 2027. Sessions occur about every other week.
During this program, high school students are taught important leadership skills such as team dynamics, assertiveness, speaking to inspire, and networking, through interactive workshops conducted by professional trainers.
Students are also encouraged to embrace and become more involved in the Japanese American community through workshops focusing on cultural awareness and Japanese American heritage. There are off-site events such as a beach outing, Little Tokyo scavenger hunt, and tours of the Go For Broke National Education Center and Japanese American National Museum.
The program opens on Oct. 3 with the “Team Dynamics” workshop, which will introduce the participants to what’s in store for the program, which includes trips through Little Tokyo to introduce key institutions to the participants.
The “Speak to Inspire” workshop ends up being one of the favorites of the Rising Stars program. This upbeat session provides long-lasting skills for the participants.
Throughout the program, the students are also planning and preparing for a major fundraiser at the end of the year, the Rising Stars Annual Mini Golf Tournament at Camelot Golfland in Anaheim, which provides funding for the next Rising Stars session.
“I really enjoy the workshops and engaging with my peers,” said Kalea Oshidari, RS 20 participant. “The Rising Stars program has taught me valuable skills, and helped me form strong connections with other students that will last me a lifetime. It has also encouraged me to become more involved in the Japanese American community.
“One of the most influential workshops was the networking workshop, where we learned not only important networking skills, but also effective communication as I found myself using some of the things I learned in everyday life. We didn’t just learn how to shake hands and introduce ourselves, we learned how to truly connect.”
“The skills we practiced stuck with me,” said Jin Hart, RS 21 participant. “I found myself using them in everyday conversations, building confidence in ways I didn’t expect. But what really made it memorable was the networking luncheon, where we practiced those skills with real professionals.”
Rising Stars 23 session dates:
2026
Oct. 3: “Team Dynamics” at Zenshuji Soto Mission
Oct. 24: Beach outing
Nov. 14: “Assertiveness”
Dec. 19: “Speak to Inspire”
2027
Jan. 9: “Cultural Awareness”
Jan. 23: “Japanese American Heritage”
Feb. 6: “Networking”
Feb. 20: Group project and “College Life 101”
March 6: Final group project event
March 20: Review session and social outing
April 10: Culmination
The application deadline is Sept. 1. Applications can be completed online by going to: https://www.risingstarsylp.org/application.html
Applicants will be notified not later than Sept. 20 if selected. Applicants must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall of 2026. A maximum or 24 students will be selected to participate in the program.
For information, call (213) 254-5722, email info@risingstarsylp.org or visit the website at www.risingstarsylp.org.
Rising Stars Leadership Program is a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization.