CJAAA Awards Lisa Masai 2002-03 Sponsorship The California Japanese American Alumni Association sponsored Lisa Masai in the Nikkei Community Internship Program (NCIP) in 2002. The NCIP is a statewide program that offers college students an opportunity to obtain experience supporting the work of various community organizations and increasing their understanding of contemporary issues affecting Japanese Americans. The California Japanese American Community Leadership Council (CJACLC) created the NCIP in response to the need to foster the leadership potential among Japanese American students. The eight-week summer internship provided training on leadership development topics, visits to a number of local Japanese American organizations, and meetings with community leaders. It was coordinated by the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) and the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC). Lisa Masai, is pursuing a double major in mass communications and Asian American Studies at UC Berkeley. Raised in the Stockton-Lodi area, Masai has been active in the Japanese American community since she was a child, participating in Buddhist church and YBA activities for as long as she can remember. She has trained for many years in karate, Japanese classical dance and taiko as well as recently studying Japanese tea ceremony. In Lisa's words, "The arts are not merely pleasurable activities, (but) instill self-discipline and pride in my heritage and culture… I feel that the arts are universal mediums that bring those of different backgrounds (generations) together and instill a sense of cohesiveness and pride within the Japanese American community." Masai also thanked the membership of CJAAA for their support in a letter to the Board of Trustees: "I felt honored to find out that the CJAAA was the organization that sponsored my internship. This summer was a truly rewarding and an eye opening experience as well. Although I regret not being able to thank everyone in person, I want to express my gratitude for being given the opportunity to work in the Japanese American community. This summer's (intern) program has helped me to establish relationships with those helping to keep our community alive, and I still try to remain involved, whether it be by myself, or through the activities with the Nikkei Student Union (NSU)." CJAAA is proud to have sponsored Lisa Masai in this community-building project and congratulates CJACLC on their success with the Nikkei Community Internship Program in 2002.