JACL National Youth/Student Council (NY/SC)
The National Youth/Student Council (NY/SC) represents local JACL youth members, including students and young professionals, at the national level of the organization. The NY/SC consists of an elected national chair and national representative, representatives from each of JACL’s seven districts, as well as four at-large members. The NY/SC chair and representative are voting members of the JACL National Board; the district youth/student representatives are voting members of their respective district councils. District youth/student representatives serve as the primary link between the NY/SC and youth in local JACL chapters and on college campuses.
NY/SC Vision
An empowered generation, defined by a broad sense of community and driven by a strong network of leaders, activists, and community organizers with the power to make change.
NY/SC Mission
To build a national network that engages the next generation through community organizing to create positive change for the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community.
NY/SC Goals
(1) Build a network of local groups based on local issues and interests consistent with the NY/SC
(2) Cultivate passion for the community through advocacy on unifying issues
(3) Develop sufficient resources and effective internal structures to meet our mission.
JACL NY/SC Members
- Jeff Moy, NY/SC Chair
- Mariko Newton, National Youth Representative
Mariko was born in Honolulu and raised in Japan, she Shin-Nisei who currently lives in Portland, OR. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from Pacific University of Oregon and currently works as a research technician in the Molecular & Medical Genetics Dept. at Oregon Health & Science University. She’s been a member of the Portland JACL chapter for the past 5 years and involved with the NY/SC for 3 years, serving as the PNW Co-Youth Representative as well as the Treasurer prior to her current role as the National Youth Representative. She enjoys outdoor activities, yoga, happy hours, languages, and traveling.
- Nick Hori, Northern Calif-Western Nevada-Pacific Youth Representative
Nick was born in San Jose and is currently a Junior at UC Davis for Mechanical Engineering. He’s been a member of the JACL since 2007 and is a board member with the Silicon Valley JACL, NY/SC. In his spare time Nick enjoys playing badminton, volleyball, reading, and video games.
- Lesli Hamamoto, Central California Youth Co-Representative
Born and raised in Fresno, CA, Lesli Hamamoto is 4th generation Japanese American. She became involved with the JACL while serving as the president of the J.A. Student Society at UC Davis, where she earned a BA in Communications and American Studies. Lesli currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area while exploring careers related to her passion of food and consumer culture.
- Kelly Honda, Central California Youth Co-Representative
Kelly is from Clovis, California. She is a proud graduate from the University of California, San Diego class of 2010. She is currently the Lead Coordinator at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in California. She’s a member of the JACL Clovis chapter. Her favorite hobby? Buying shoes!
- Micheala Ishino, Intermountain Youth Representative
- Kaila Yoshitomi, Pacific Northwest Youth Representative
Kaila is from Seattle, Washinton were she is a Junior at the University of Washington studying American Ethnic Studies. She’s a member of the Seattle JACL chapter board, and is the Puyallup Valley Chapter Youth Rep. Kaila loves playing volleyball and baking desserts.
- Kevin Mori, Pacific Southwest Youth Representative
- Matthew Teshima, Midwest Youth Representative
- Kaz Uyehara, Eastern Youth Representative
Kaz is from Philadephia, PA where he is currently a high school science teacher. He graduated from Swarthmore College with a BA in Biology. He’s a member of the Philadelphia JACL Chapter and loves to run, garden, and be active.
- Nicole Gaddie, Member-at-Large
- James Kirihara, Member-at-Large
Jim is from Bloomington, MN and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in Accounting. He currently works as a Corporate Finance consultant at Accenture. Jim is the newly appointed Treasurer for the NYSC and is part of the Minneapolis JACL Chapter. His hobbies include biking, video games, and mixed martial arts.
Nicole is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now resides in Seattle. She studies at Seattle University in Seattle, WA where she is the Student Body President. She’s been a member of the Salt Lake JACL for over eight years and is now part of the Seattle chapter. Nicole loves to golf and spends most of her time traveling with the Seattle University Women’s golf team!