NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

On Nov. 7, Troop 611, from the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin awarded five of their scouts the highest rank in scouting, the Eagle Scout Award. Jeffrey Doi, Kenneth Matsumoto, Robert Sugano, Kyle Tan and Garrick Hirasawa join the more than one hundred Troop 611 Boy Scouts who became Eagle Scouts.

JEFFREY HIROSHI DOI

Jeffrey Hiroshi Doi, son of Steven G. and Janice Doi, is a senior at Willow Glen High School, in San Jose, California, where he is in the Bowling Club and does Wrestling. Jeffrey began his scouting career as a Tiger Scout in Pack 611 in 1998 and as a Cub Scout, earned his Metta Religious Award and Arrow of Light Award.

As a member of Boy Scout Troop 611, Jeffrey earned his Sangha Religious Award and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. He has been a Senior Patrol Leader, Scribe, Librarian, Troop Guide; Chaplain’s Aide, Patrol Leader and is a Den Chief for Pack 611. Jeffrey is at present a Troop Instructor and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Jeffrey made two large planter boxes at the Alzheimer’s Activity Center in San Jose, California, for his Eagle Project. He states, “I wanted to do something that would help the elderly because I watch my grandparents and I know how difficult it is for them to do things. So, I wanted to do something that would make it easier for elderly people.”

Jeffrey served as a Jr. YBA Community Service co-chairperson and is currently a member of Jr. YBA. He is has also participated in Muay Thai from 2008 to the present. He was in the Nisei Junior Bowling League, Sporting Clay Target Shooting, and a Dharma School Teacher’s Aide. Jeffrey volunteered at the Yu-Ai Kai Senior Day Care in the 2006 and 2007 summers.

Jeffrey is undecided about his college plans but would like to earn a Bachelor of Arts in the Administration of Justice.

KENNETH TAJIBEI DOOKA MATSUMOTO

Kenneth Tajibei Dooka Matsumoto is the son of Calvin and Karen Emi Matsumoto and the grandson of Akira and Michiko Dooka. Kenneth is a junior at Piedmont Hills High School, in San Jose, California. In 1999, Kenneth began his scouting career as a Tiger Scout in Pack 611, where he received his Metta Religious Award and the Arrow of Light Award.

As a member of Troop 611, Kenneth has served two non consecutive leadership terms as a Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Quartermaster, Patrol Cook, Patrol Grub Master, Troop Dharma Scribe and as a Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 611. He is currently a Troop Instructor and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Kenneth has also earned is Sangha Religious Award from the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.

Kenneth’s Eagle Project consisted of designing and constructing six portable signs for the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, under the advisement of Rinban Kenshin Fujimoto. Kenneth selected this project for this reason, “I chose this project as there was a great need for these signs to reserve and set aside specific parking spots for events and special church activities. My project benefited the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and the community of Japan Town by making parking spaces readily available for each Betsuin sponsored event or activity.”

At Piedmont Hills High School, Kenneth is an honor student, member of CSF-California Scholarship Federation, Interact Club, Eco Club, French Club, he has been served as a coordinator at the Children’s Discovery Museum Fair, Lake Cunningham Day at the Park, Martin Luther King Day Parade, and has been a Synopsis Science Fair Participant. In his school career, Kenneth has received academic Awards in History, Science and Mathematics.

Kenneth has also been a member of the San Jose Betsuin Jr. YBA, attends Dharma School, is a member of the US Judo Association and the Silicon Valley Judo Club, served as a volunteer at Yu-Ai Kai Mochi Tsuki, Sacred Heart Community Service and is a member of JACL (Japanese American Citizens League) San Jose Chapter. In October 2009, Kenneth organized a T-shirt collection for the victims of the Samoan earthquake and tsunami; he collected over 300 new T-shirts to send to American Samoa.

After Kenneth graduates from high school in two years, he would like to attend college and pursue a career in the medical field.

KYLE KENJI TAN

Kyle Kenji Tan is the son of Kenneth and Jayne Tan and the grandson of Reverend Junjo and Mrs. Tsumura. Kyle is a senior at Los Gatos High School and began his scouting career as a Tiger Scout in Pack 611 in 1998, where he received his Metta Religious Award and his Arrow of Light Award.

Kyle has held these leadership positions in Troop 611: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Librarian and he is currently a Troop Guide. Kyle also received his Sangha Religious Award.

At Los Gatos High School, Kyle participates in JV and Varsity Tennis and is a member in the Japanese Honor Society. He has received the LGHS Principal’s Scholar Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, Harvard University Book Award, American Mathematics Competition Award, World History Award, and World Languages Award and has been a representative to Close Up Washington, D.C. Program.

Kyle stained/sealed a fence and gate along the garden wall of the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. Kyle selected this Eagle Project because he states, “I wanted to do something that would benefit the San Jose Buddhist Church.”

Kyle is also a member of San Jose Jr. Taiko, a Good Samaritan Hospital Jr. Auxiliary volunteer, a Tennis Instructor at the Los Gatos Tennis Jr. Academy and Los Gatos Recreation Department. Kyle has his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and he also attended the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree.

Kyle is unsure about the college he plans to attend and is contemplating the possibility of pursuing a pre-med degree.

ROBERT MASATO SUGANO

Robert Masato Sugano is the son of Dennis and Irene Sugano; he is a junior at William C. Overfelt High School in San Jose, California. Robert began his scouting career in 1999 in Pack 611.

In Troop 611, Robert has held leadership positions as Historian, Librarian, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Cook and Grub Master. Robert is currently a Den Chief in Pack 611, a Troop Instructor and a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Robert has volunteered at Sacred Heart Community Service and has been a member of CYS (Japanese Community Youth Service).

Robert primed, painted and repaired five wooden pews for the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. He states that the reason he selected this Eagle Project was that, “The pews were in bad condition due to being outside. These pews from the 1930’s are historical; they were used in the first Buddhist temple. By refinishing the pews, this would preserve an important part of the church’s history.”

At William C. Overfelt High School, Robert is a member of AVID and Honors. In the future, Robert would like to receive a degree in Criminal Justice and he would like to become a police officer.

GARRICK TOSHIMITSU HIRASAWA

Garrick Toshimitsu Hirasawa is the son of Toshihiro and Patti Hirasawa. Garrick began his scouting career in 1998 as a cub scout in Pack 611. Garrick is currently attending Foothill College and plans to transfer to UCLA as a biology major. He plans to apply to graduate school and receive his PhD in medicine and become a specialist. Garrick feels passionate about reaching his goal of becoming a doctor.

In Troop 611, Garrick has held the position of Patrol Leader and Bugler. He has also received his Sangha Religious Award from the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.

At Fremont High School, Garrick participated as a District Secretary/Treasurer for JOOI and he has received the 80hr Community Service Award. Garrick also received the United States Marine Music Excellence Award and was a member of the Octagon Club and was an active member of the community service based, Key Club. He also was a winning member of the Fremont High School Track Team.

Garrick’s Eagle Project was planning and constructing a counter with shelves to hold non-instrumental materials. He says, “I wanted to give back to the band program (at Fremont High School) for everything they’ve done for me in the past four years.”