Ten Young People, Recipients of Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service, Remind us of the Meaning of Citizenship and Community; Recipients to be Honored in Washington, DC, October 18.

WASHINGTON -- From a young man who started a Cub Scout pack for homeless boys, to a young woman who successfully advocated for legislation creating educational opportunities for immigrant children, the recipients of the 2005 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community are changing America's communities. They aren't biding their time, waiting for someone to tell them it's time to lead - they are leading now.

"This generation of young people is volunteering and serving their community more than any other generation of youth preceding them," commented David Dodson, Board member of The Hitachi Foundation, which presents the awards annually, and Co-Chair of the Yoshiyama Award Selection Committee. "The recipients of the Yoshiyama Award go beyond community service. They are changing the very nature of their communities."

The Hitachi Foundation named 10 young people as recipients of the 2005 Yoshiyama Award. In addition, 5 nominees were named finalists and 23 others semifinalists for this prestigious award.

"Too often, we don't notice the men and women, families and children who remain on the fringes of economic opportunity in our communities or, for myriad reasons, are simply left out of our rich social fabric. The ten young people we are honoring with the 2005 Yoshiyama Award not only noticed, they've taken meaningful action to help their neighbors fully participate in economic and social life," said Barbara Dyer, president and CEO of The Hitachi Foundation.

The 2005 Yoshiyama Award recipients will participate in a leadership retreat and be honored at a luncheon to take place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on October 18, 2005. Each will receive a $5,000 gift.

Selected by a diverse committee from 203 nominations submitted by teachers, community leaders, and others directly affiliated with youth organizations, the 2005 Yoshiyama Award recipients are:

William "Chris" Campbell, Eastern Wayne High School, La Grange, NC: Chris galvanized his rural community around a shared objective - renovating the La Grange Recreation buildings and facilities - proving that they could overcome racial and economic barriers. He spent many years participating in community sporting events at the facility and recognized the needs of the recreation league. As an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, Chris involved the broader community speaking with parents, youth and officials and engaging all sectors of the community as volunteers. He received contributions of more than $1,400 worth of supplies and materials and facilitated more than 100 community volunteers. Chris met with public officials to ensure the renovations complied with state and local codes and also secured the assistance of local tradesmen.

Given Kachepa, Grapevine High School, Colleyville, TX: Given raises awareness and seeks to end human trafficking. Brought to the U.S. from Zambia at the age of 11, Given was abused, exploited, and enslaved and became one of the 18,000 people per year that are trafficked in the United States. Rescued by the INS in 2000, Given speaks out about his experience in an effort to help other victims and ultimately bring to an end human trafficking. He has testified on behalf of HB 869 - a state Anti-Trafficking Bill that provides justice for trafficking victims and prosecutes alleged traffickers. In order to raise public awareness of human trafficking, Given has granted interviews to both local and national media programs.

Jeffrey Lambin, Laurel Springs School, Minden, NV: Jeffrey brings joy to young people recovering in the hospital and, in the process, encourages them to make healthy choices. When he was 13, Jeffrey watched his brother in the hospital with nothing to do but look at television. In response, Jeffrey founded Kids Karts as a way to keep young hands and minds busy during their hospital stay. He built and delivered the Kids Kart, a rolling wooden cart with toys, games, books, and crafts, to a local hospital. Jeffrey secured $75,000 in product donations to both build and stock the Karts. Jeffrey has expanded the program and has built 15 Karts, delivering them throughout northern Nevada and California. He also created Kids Kart Express Yourself for families at Ronald McDonald Houses.

Cindy Perez, Olathe North High School, Olathe, KS: Cindy advocates for immigrant rights locally, statewide, and nationally. In 2004, Cindy's leadership with the Kansas legislature was instrumental in passing legislation opening higher education opportunities to immigrant students. In her capacity to promote the DREAM Act, Cindy organized a petition that was signed by thousands; testified at the capitol; was interviewed by the media; assisted in producing a documentary on the lives of immigrant students; and rallied parents, students, and educators to support the act. Cindy has also helped immigrants obtain drivers licenses, bank accounts, and access to health care, while intervening on their behalf when employers have denied wages.

Holly Poort, Malvern Community High School, Malvern, Iowa: To revitalize her small rural community through art and history, Holly designed an historical mural for a downtown building, engaging 24 local artists of varied backgrounds to contribute to the mural. Holly interviewed a 97-year old community member about the town's history and presented the concept to the City Council, which approved the project and donated the paint. Holly formed a committee and engaged city workers, fellow students, the Boy Scouts, and the Volunteer Fire Department. A local businessman donated time and materials for the site. Holly is currently working with a landscape architect, the local Betterment Association, and volunteers on converting the lot in front of the building into a community park.

Emilio Rosa, Claremont High School, Claremont, CA: In 2001, Emilio began organizing with the Community Wellness Partnership Institute and the Pomona Council of Youth. Two years later, Emilio spearheaded a campaign to reestablish a youth commission for the city of Pomona. In this capacity, he developed the application, conducted outreach, and interviewed and selected 15 candidates for the new Pomona Youth Commission - the voice that makes official recommendations to the Mayor and Council members on issues affecting young people. Emilio is currently developing a case study to teach other youth groups how to form commissions. Emilio also serves as a lead organizer for the Community Wellness Partnership, educating new youth organizers, preparing training sessions, and forming partnerships with adults.

Amber Solino, Tri-City Christian School, Hickory, NC: When she was 16, Amber realized that young women with special needs had limited opportunities for social interaction, to develop problem-solving skills, and for physical fitness. In response, Amber created the Catawba Cats competitive cheerleading team for girls with disabilities ages 7-25 in her community. She researched methods for interacting with special needs children and adults as well as medical and emotional needs of this population; obtained the rules for competitive cheerleading; secured a practice facility; created registration, permission, and medical forms; and obtained funding for the team by utilizing the local media and speaking at school board meetings. She has also convinced national competitions to start a special needs category. There are now comparable squads in 16 states.

Greg Sweeney, Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE: When he was 12 and volunteering at a homeless shelter, Greg learned that homeless children often lack stable friendships and positive male role models. In response, Greg founded Cub Scout Pack 506, the first scout pack exclusively for homeless children on the East Coast. He met with scouting officials, contacted shelter directors, and placed ads to recruit volunteers. Greg created scholarships for the Cub Scouts to go to summer camp, and when he learned that the boys were often required to attend summer school, he started a free tutoring service. Greg secured funds from a foundation to rent a van and organized a pack library so scouts could have access to reading materials. Cub Scout Pack 506 now has 17 volunteers and more than 85 homeless boys have become Cub Scouts.

Elizabeth Victor, Aiken High School, Aiken, SC: In middle school, Elizabeth was the victim of bullying. As a high school junior, she mentored a young woman being bullied. These experiences prompted Elizabeth to found Girls Against Bullying (GAB) to help elementary and middle school children understand, identify, and denounce bullying behavior. Elizabeth contacted professionals to research the causes and possible solutions for bullying and created a four-week program that utilizes personal testimonies, television programs, and role-playing to teach girls how to identify bullying and feel empowered to seek help. More than 500 students have completed the GAB course. The County School board is currently expanding the program to all middle schools in the District.

Shadia Wood, West Canada Valley High School, Newport, NY: Shadia protects the environment in her rural community. Her town was sited for a regional landfill and incinerator when Shadia was two years old. At the age of seven, Shadia joined the Kids Against Pollution environmental group and learned about the Superfund program to clean up toxic waste sites in New York state. Shadia began attending the Earth Day Lobby Day in the state capital at age 10. Although the Superfund bill was repeatedly rejected, Shadia persisted, attending Earth Day at the capital for seven years, each year petitioning to restore the failing Superfund. She lobbied for the bill using creative methods including a "toxic dump" cake. She also held a lemonade sale outside the capital and donated the funds raised to the governor to help finance the Superfund. Shadia's efforts garnered local and national media attention, and in 2003, the Governor signed the Superfund bill.

Named as finalists for the 2005 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community, and each receiving a gift of $1,000, are:

Liliana Cabrera, Mission High School, San Francisco, CA

Cheutney Ellerton, Mesa Ridge High School, Colorado Springs, CO

Alycia Kender, Germantown High School, Germantown, WI

Vanessa Saba, Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, Cherry Valley, NY

Xinghua Wu, Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn, NY

And as semi-finalists:

Laura Corlin, Coe Brown Northwood Academy, Strafford, NH

Victor Cross, Central High School, Phenix, AL

Benjamin Cumbo, Bishop McNamara Catholic High School, Upper Marlboro, MD

Jeremy Feigenbaum, Southampton High School, Bridgehampton, NY

Jenna Goldstein, Nova High School, Plantation, FL

Alex Hill, Luke M. Powers Catholic High School, Grand Blanc, MI

Kristin Hollingsworth, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, IN

Michael Kay, Wilmington High School, Wilmington, IL

Theodore Kwong, Desert Vista High School, Phoenix, AZ

Margo Lang, Westmont High School, Saratoga, CA

Sierra Lopez, Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor, MI

Alexander Menenberg, Newport High School, Bellevue, WA

Rebecca Miolen, Newnan High School, Newnan, GA

Chi Nguyen, California High School, San Ramon, CA

Cayley Pater, Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC

JoAnna Reiter, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School, Miller, NE

Jennifer "Jeis" Renderos, Sequoia High School, Redwood City, CA

Virginia Roby, Assumption High School, Louisville, KY

Josh Sommer, Western Guilford High School, Greensboro, NC

Joshua Spiro, Stuyvesant High School, Forest Hills, NY

Megan Srinivas, Fort Dodge High School, Fort Dodge, IA

Carter Wallace, Brookstone School, Columbus, GA

Caileigh Warren, Worcester Academy, Auburn, MA

The Hitachi Foundation was established as an independent nonprofit philanthropic organization by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1985. Governed by a Board of Directors composed of highly accomplished Americans, the Foundation's broad purpose is to enhance the wellbeing of economically and socially isolated people throughout the United States. The Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community was established in 1987 with a generous gift from Hirokichi Yoshiyama, former president and chairman of Hitachi, Ltd., in Tokyo, Japan, upon his retirement. For additional information about the Yoshiyama Award or The Hitachi Foundation, visit the Foundation's web site at www.hitachifoundation.org.