JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP "AURORA" FOUNDATION:
AURORA CHALLENGE GRANT

The AURORA Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation (Dr. Akiko Agishi, Founder & President) is announcing that we were unable to select the right person from our applicants for the Aurora Challenge Grant who fulfill our requirements for this year.

However, one of the applicants, Charleen Fisher, the Principal/Teacher for Cruikshank School in Beaver, Alaska, will receive the Aurora Special Challenge Grant next year, commemorating the Aurora Foundation’s 10th anniversary. Being from Alaska, Ms. Fisher is not qualified for the Aurora Foundation Challenge Grant. But, the selection committee for the Challenge Grant saw great potential in Ms. Fisher's dream project and so they decided to offer her the special grant next year. Her project is to enrich historical heritage of Frank Yasuda, who was originally from Japan but ended his life in Alaska and left great treasure to a town called Beaver, Alaska. Fisher’s 2008 plan will be documenting the “Yasuda Celebration” project hosted in Beaver.

Another applicant, Kevin Senzaki, who seeks an opportunity to document a current Japanese music historical event, X-Japan’s reunion. Although he would not receive the Aurora Grant this year, he will be considered for next year’s grant when he has developed his project status further.

The Aurora Foundation is holding the Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship Benefit Dinner & Auction on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 5 p.m. at the New Otani Hotel & Garden Los Angeles followed by Aurora Benefit Concert on October 28, Sunday at Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College. The GOSPELLERS, Japanese music group, will attend the Dinner and Auction to show their support of the goals of the Aurora Foundation.

There will also be a benefit auction (live & silent) as a fundraiser for the Aurora Foundation on the 26th. The Aurora Foundation Benefit Dinner & Auction as well as the Aurora Benefit Concert will be open to the public. Admission is $100 per seat or $1,000 per table of 10 seats for the dinner. ($40 per seat is tax deductible) The tickets for the concerts will be $100 (Limited VIP) $75, $55, or $35. For reservations, sponsorship information, or donating auction items, please contact the Aurora Foundation at (323) 882-6545.

Ms. Fisher will receive her grant of $3000 in 2007 for the 2008 Aurora Special 10th Anniversary Challenge Grant and will start working on her project this year. She will attend the Aurora Foundation Benefit Dinner this year, and will announce her plan. She will also attend next year’s Aurora event to report on the results of her dream project.

For more information, including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please contact the Aurora Foundation at (323) 882-6545 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Website: http://www.jlsf-aurora.org