JAPANESE LANGUAGE
SCHOLARSHIP "AURORA" FOUNDATION
the AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT Winner will be introduced at the Aurora
Foundation Award Dinner & Auction
For Immediate Release
Press contact: Aurora Foundation
Tel: (323) 882-6545
Fax: (323) 969-9425
Los Angeles - June 23, 2004 - The Japanese
Language Scholarship "AURORA" Foundation is delighted
to announce the winner of the Aurora Challenge Grant for 2004-5.
To welcome the recipient, the Aurora Foundation is holding the
Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship Benefit Dinner & Auction
on Friday, September 17, 2004 at 5 p.m. at the New Otani Hotel
& Garden Los Angeles. To show her support of the goals of
the Aurora Foundation, Tokiko Kato, Japanese singer & songwriter,
will attend.
There will also be a benefit auction (live & silent) as a
fundraiser for the Aurora Foundation. The Aurora Foundation Benefit
Dinner & Auction is open to the public. Admission is $100
per seat and $1,000 per table of 10 seats. ($40 per seat is tax
deductible) For reservations, information, or donating auction
items, please contact the Aurora Foundation at (323) 882-6545.
The Aurora Challenge Grant is awarded to a
US citizen who resides in California and has a unique dream,
in any field of endeavor, which is related to Japanese culture
and which would never be realized without traveling to Japan.
There is no age limit and no academic requirement. The award
goes to an individual with a creative dream or challenge that
will contribute to global goodwill and intercultural appreciation.
The winner will receive a $3000 scholarship and roundtrip air
tickets from the USA to Japan (economy class). The recipient
can travel anytime (for any duration) between fall 2004 and summer
2005. By awarding this grant, the Aurora Foundation hopes to
help the winner enhance pursuit of their truest, most heartfelt
dream by providing them with the opportunity for a once in a
lifetime experience.
The winner of the 2004-5 Aurora
Challenge Grant, Michael Fritzen from Glendale, California, has
a dream of creating Japanese themed educational programs, activities,
and festivals for all ages at the Huntington Library, Art Collections,
and Botanical Gardens. Through these programs he believes more
people will become familiar with the treasures of Japan. He also
hopes people will be inspired to learn more about Japan. Michael's
passion for Japan began when his fifth grade teacher taught a
lesson on Japan that introduced him to the unique beauties of
Japan. That lesson sparked a love of Japan that has grown ever
since. Currently, he is the youth and public programs coordinator
at the Huntington and recently completed a course on the History
of Japanese Art at Cal State Northridge.
In addition, Mr. Matthew W. Bacon-Brenes and
Ms. Lisa Berkson will be awarded the fifth Japanese Language
Scholarship at the Aurora Benefit Dinner & Auction. The primary
goal of the scholarship is to assist United States citizens who
are either Japanese language teachers or graduate students of
Japanese language education to experience living in Japan and
participating in various educational programs during their stay
to further their understanding of the Japanese language and culture.
The winners receive a $3,000 scholarship and roundtrip air tickets
from the USA to Japan (coach class).
The grant includes attendance at the Aurora
Japanese Language Scholarship Benefit Dinner & Auction on
September 17th at the New Otani Hotel & Gardens; and the
Tokiko Kato "Aurora" Benefit Concert in El Camino College/Marsee
Auditorium at 2p.m. on September 19, 2004. The grants will be
formally presented to Michael Fritzen at the Aurora Foundation
Benefit Dinner & Auction. More detail information can be
found at the website: http://www.jlsf-aurora.org
4th Aurora Challenge
Grant Winner (for 2003-4)
Flower
Arrangement Workshop in Los Angeles by Michiyo Okayasu
3rd Aurora Challenge
Grant Winner (for 2003)
2nd Aurora Challenge Grant Winner
(for 2002)
1st Aurora Challenge
Grant Winner (for 2001)
