Wade Utsunomiya, left end, and 2016 awardees of the Amy Utsunomiya Memorial Youth Community Service Award (Cultural News Photo)
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute Annual Luncheon
About Amy Utsunomiya:
Amy’s community service began when she was a teenager. Along with a group of friends, they raised money to pay for a bus to give the Pasadena Issei an opportunity to view flowers (hanami).
As a mother, she was served as a volunteer in different capacities for the Pasadena Bruins, the Pasadena Buddhist Temple, the First Presbyterian Church of Altadena, Marengo Elementary School in South Pasadena, Pasadena JCI and the Pasadena Nikkei Seniors.
Became a PJCI Board member in 1994.
In 1996, organized and led the PJCI Matsuri Kids Camp, a week long camp for elementary school kids that exposed them to a Japanese cultural experience, learning about festivals, games, and food.
1n 1999, became PJCI’s first woman President.
In the early 2000’s she battled and succumbed to cancer. To keep her memory alive, her parents, John and Itsy Ota, along with her husband, Wade, established the Amy Utsunomiya Memorial Youth Community Service Award to recognize students who have volunteered for Japanese American organizations in the Pasadena area.
2016 Awardees: Daniel Sugiyama, Hajime Araki, Maud O’Connor, and Nick Tomoyasu
