and Muslim communities have increased.

GWEN MURANAKA / Rafu ShimpoFrom left: Yuriko Shikai.Yanase Shirota served as the first woman president of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center and is currently an at-large board member.

She marveled at her grandmothers sharp mind and memory.We are truly humbled and greatly appreciative of this award.Barbara Kato Yanase Shirota and George Kita.

she has worked for many notable individuals.Her granddaughter Alyssa Arnheim said that Yanase Shirota doesnt like to bring attention to herself for her volunteer efforts.

The annual event is sponsored by the Japanese Womens Society of Southern California and the Downtown Los Angeles Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens LeagueGeorge Kita.

ESGVJCC for graduate students.Sasha Tan of Santa Monica High School will study pre-economics at UC Santa Barbara.

Emi Yamamori of Santa Monica High School will study nursing.and plans to play at the college level.

She also participated in choir for the last two years.She will be majoring in cognitive sciences at UC Irvine.