JETS/JETTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Jets/Jetts organization began its scholarship program in 1999 to support its exceptional scholar athletes. The Scholarships were named for the founders of the Jets/Jetts, Sam Kobayashi and Tak Uyesugi for the Boys Division and Mimi Arakaki and Irene Murakami for the Girls Division. 

The scholarships are given to one male and one female high school graduate via a competitive process, which includes high school GPA, organization and community service, a written essay and an oral interview with the scholarship committee. The selection process is intense but provides insight to the truly talented and exceptional scholar athlete. The scholarship covers the four years the awardees are expected to complete their undergraduate education. Additionally, the Jets/Jetts confer four one-time scholarships to outstanding runner-ups.

JETS/JETTS SCHOLARSHIP HALL OF FAME

2007 Arakaki-Murakami Scholarship Recipient

My name is Kellyn Dott and I have been playing basketball since the wee age of 5 with the Jetts Hotstuff. My love and dedication to the sport carried on throughout high school when participating on the Junior Varsity and Varsity team for Mark Keppel. On the Junior Varsity team I received the Most Improved Player award in my freshman year and went undefeated in league 2 years in a row while on Varsity. For most of my basketball career I’ve played the position of a point guard because of my capability to see the entire court. However, in high school I was moved to the position of shooting guard after developing a consistent 3-point shot and post because of my height. I became a well-rounded player who could handle, shoot, and rebound the ball.

Playing Jets/Jetts and high school basketball was not enough. I dedicated myself to the Jets/Jetts Lil Wings Program coaching twice a week. For a little over two years I have been coaching and acting as team representative for a 5th/6th grade boys team called Jets Got Game. I also help out at the MPCC Bazaar, VERB  Festival, and Poster Parties. For the past 3 years I have been commissioning for the Jets/Jetts Co-Ed tournament. This year I am co-directing the Co-Ed tournament, currently collecting rosters, coordinating divisions, and setting up game schedules. Basketball was not the only activity I participated in throughout high school. My academics were just as important, taking up most of my focus and commitment. As a senior, I have managed an overall GPA of 3. 86. This placed me in ranking as 37th out of a class of 600 students. I’ve finished mathematics from Pre-Algebra up to Calculus BC, receiving a 5 on the Calculus AB AP in my junior year. I have achieved lifetime membership for NHS, was the Publicity Committee Chair for the Computer Engineering Club (CEC), and participated as an active general member in CSF, ACES, Math Club, and FOCUS. Outside of school and basketball, I have been a Girl Scout since the age of 6. I bridged from being a Brownie up to a Senior Girl Scout and am currently working on my Gold Award after already receiving my Silver Award. I have received the Career Exploration Pin and Leadership Pin along with active volunteer work for the  Langley Center in Monterey Park.  As a Mark Keppel High School graduate, I will be attending UC Santa Barbara next year. I am looking to major in Business Economics and Accounting in hopes of becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

2007 Kobayashi-Uyesugi Scholarship Recipient

Michael Ono is a student at Mark Keppel High School. He has played on the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team for two years and was the recipient of the Coaches’ Award. He was selected as the Most Valuable Player on the varsity Track and Field Team, competing in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, relays, and the long jump. He has volunteered for the JETS Pee Wee Clinic, and is currently coaching a 7th grade boys’ basketball team. He has been on Jets Jam since the second grade and credits Coach Grant Ishibashi for teaching him how to play with “heart.” Michael will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz as a History major. He plans to pursue a career in education and law. Michael would like to give a “shoutout” to his Jets Jam and Mark Keppel teammates and special thanks to Coaches Grant, Steve, Duong, and Danny.

2007 Directors Awards

Jessica Ly is an alumnus of Rosemead High School, graduating with a 3.9 GPA and as a Life Member of CSF. Her hard work ethic and devotion to education has led to numerous achievements such as four year Honor Roll, several Student of the Months, GATE member and secured positions such as ASB First and Second Semester Secretary and Team Captain for Cross Country, Basketball, and Track & Field. She also works at the Rosemead City Library as a homework tutor to young children because she strongly believes in empowering the youth. However, her whole heart and passion is devoted to basketball. She has played for Jetts Hotstuff her entire basketball career under the instruction of Glenn Dott. She lettered as a Varsity player her freshman year and aided her team to three of four league titles, breaking the 1000 point mark. This year, she was named Team MVP, League Co-MVP, Second Team All-CIF, Tri-Athlete, and Senior Female Athlete of the Year. She plans to attend UC San Diego in the fall and pursue a career as a biology major.

Marissa Seika Ota graduates from Mark Keppel High School with a cumulative 3.5 G.P.A., 4.0 G.P.A. senior year. 12 year veteran playing with Jetts Vortex, then with Jetts Hotstuff.  Member of Mark Keppel Aztec Basketball 4 years, Almont League Champions 4 years.  Awarded Most Improved Player, Junior Year.  Part of Mark Keppel’s Key Club, Math Club, and Science Club Community involvement with Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, and Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Jr. YBA.  Helped out at MPCC Bazaar and Jetts Poster Party.  Plans to attend Pasadena City College and eventually major in pre-med at University of Southern California.

Kevin Wong graduated from Schurr High School where he received the Coaches Award in basketball and golf. He also received the Renaissance Superior and Spectacular Spartan Award. Kevin participated in the Boy’s Basketball Program for three year in which Schurr successfully won three Almont League Championships. As a four year member of the Schurr High Varsity Golf team, Kevin led the team to an Almont League Championship and also took 3rd, 4th, and 7th place respectively as an individual. Kevin is also a four year member of the Schurr High Marching Band. Kevin has played on the Jets Jam team for 9 years and his community involvement included participating in the CYC PeeWee Clinic, Montebello Plymouth Church Bazaar, Gedatsu Church Moon Festival, Craft Faire and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Kevin plans to attend Arizona State University majoring in Professional Golf Management

Bella Vista Optimist Memorial Award

Tim "Mowtown" Takeshita was the 2007 JetsJetts recipient of the Bella Vista Optimist Award for embodying the spirit, purpose, and philosophies of Optimist International through his dedication to the community service at the Orange County Buddhist Church, Diamond Bar High School, and various Japanese American youth organizations including Community Youth council (CYC) and South East Youth Organization (SEYO).  Tim made the Dean List for History and Chemistry, the National Honors Society, and the Principal's Honor Roll.  He attained a 22-2 record as the Coach of the Diamond Bar High School Freshman Basketball team.  He is a certified basketball referee, an instructor of basketball development camps, and organizes various tournaments for his church.  Tim will be attending UC Irvine majoring in Business Administration with a specialty in Sports Marketing.