The Blaine UMC Scholarship Committee Chair: Michelle Vaughan

Members: Collin Ikeda, Joey Ing, Lynne Onishi, Rachel Ono-Lim, Joan Sato Hernandez, Emi Suzuki, Rev. Karen Yokota Love and Christine Yorozu

Scholarship Benefactors

Blaine Memorial UMC wishes to thank the families for which the following scholarships are named and the continued support these scholarships give to the youth and families of the recipients.

The Vera Ing Scholarship

The Vera Ing Scholarship has been established to recognize Vera’s accomplishments and give a hand up to those with similar circumstances and passion.

Vera was a go-getter, a doer, always engaged in what she set her mind to. When her three children were in grade school, Vera started her college education to quench her thirst for learning more. She attended North Seattle Community College where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She then attended the University of Washington and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning. Vera served on the board of the North Seattle Community College Foundation from 1990 until 1999. She was the board chair from 1994-1997. Vera was the first distinguished alumna in 2002, when the annual award was created. Vera was a strong leader in her community and at Blaine Memorial UMC. She was active in Seattle’s International District and in the city since the 1960’s. It was important for Vera to give back to the community. This scholarship was awarded to an individual who exemplifies Vera’s passion of continuing education to give back and better the community they serve.

The Robert S. Sato Scholarship

The Robert S. Sato Scholarship was established in 2010 at the time of his passing.

The family presented the scholarship to Blaine Memorial UMC as a way to honor him and keep his memory alive. Bob was born in Puyallup, Washington; interned at Minidoka where he was drafted to serve in the 100th Battalion/442 RCT. A Civil Engineer by trade, he earned his degree at the University of Washington and spent a good portion of his career with the Army Corps of Engineers, rising to the position of Assistant Chief of Design. He was both a leader in the Seattle Japanese American community and at Blaine Memorial. He served on the Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, the Administrative Board as Chair, and as co-chair on the Building Committee. He was instrumental in establishing our current Blaine Church facility on 24th Ave South and South Hanford Street. Bob was a wonderful father and husband. He was always a beacon of light for his family, friends, the church and community. His focus on lifelong learning has been instilled in his children, grandchildren and through the scholarship awarded in his name.

Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship

Having arrived at a milestone in their lives – their retirement in 1987 – Ted and Margaret Yasuda established a scholarship at Blaine Memorial UMC, returning this gift to God in gratitude for all the blessings they have received in their lives.

It was their hope that in this way, others may be helped and encouraged as their children were. When the scholarship established, Ted and Margaret wrote, “Education has been very important to us. As our father said to us during World War II, education of Japanese Americans when we lost everything, ‘put education and knowledge into your head… no one can take that away from you.’” Margaret Yasuda graduated from Garfield High School and was interned at Minidoka Internment Camp during World War II. Leaving Minidoka to attend Seton Nursing School in Colorado, Mrs. Yasuda was a member of the Nisei Cadet Nurses of World War II. She received her Bachelors of Science in nursing from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Washington. Mrs. Yasuda was a nurse with the King County Public Health Department where she worked in the well-baby clinic, on travel immunizations and the visiting nurse division. She married Ted Yasuda in 1950 and they were blessed with 58 years of marriage. Mrs. Yasuda passed away in 2009. Ted Yasuda was interned at Minidoka and served in the 442nd RCT. Mr. Yasuda attended the University of Washington, graduating with a degree in Eastern Asian History and a Masters Degree in Librarianship. Mr. Yasuda worked for Boeing for over 30 years as a Technical Librarian. Mr. Yasuda enjoys gardening, photography, and coming to church. He served as Financial Secretary at Blaine for many years, was involved with Boy Scout Troop 55 and was instrumental in the building of Blaine Memorial UMC at our present site.

The William S. Yorozu Scholarship

William S. Yorozu was a Nisei member of Blaine Memorial UMC from his early youth.

He graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle and earned his degree in Horticulture/Landscape Design from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. After college, he was the owner of a full service landscape, maintenance and construction company, T. Yorozu Gardening Co., started by his father. During his summer months, he hired many Nisei and Sansei high school and college students. He was a firm believer in a good education and was proud that some student employees graduated to become doctors, attorneys and business leaders. The family of William S. Yorozu feels it is fitting to honor his name through scholarships at Blaine Memorial UMC. The scholarships promote a connection with God and help students to achieve their educational goals.

The Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship

The Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Educational Scholarships are designed to support the mission of the church through supporting a multitude of educational opportunities.

We are proud to have helped students in their pursuit of continuing education since 1968. We encourage all applicants, from those just entering their next phase of education to those returning to complete or pursue continued education, to apply.

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Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship Award Recipients 2023!

Congratulations to the 2023 Scholarship Award Recipients! Scholarships were awarded this year to six very deserving young people who are pursuing their higher education. Their awards were based on their demonstrated academic achievement as well as their commitment to church and community.

Kaylee Yokoyama

Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a William S. Yorozu Scholarship. Kaylee is the daughter of Jeff and Shelly Yokoyama.

Dear Blaine Congregation and Yorozu Family, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Blaine congregation and the Yorozu Family for their generous support towards my education. I will be heading into my Junior year at the University of Washington, pursuing a degree in psychology. I am planning on using this scholarship towards tuition and textbooks. I am grateful that Blaine’s support allows me to pursue my goals and passions in college, becoming a child clinical psychologist. I am super appreciative and take comfort in knowing I have a loving community within Blaine. Thank you again for awarding me these scholarships, and allowing me to pursue higher education. – Kaylee Yokoyama

Allison Hall

Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship.

Allison is the granddaughter of the late Rev. Ed Iwamoto and Betty Iwamoto. Hello, I’m Allison! I am attending Case Western Reserve University starting this fall, pursuing a degree in Nursing. I am so thankful towards the Blaine Memorial Congregation and to the Yasuda family for their generous support. I will put these Scholarships towards my tuition. Once again, I just wanted to share my gratitude for this support and investment in my higher education. Thank you very much! – Allison Hall

Kai Yamamoto

Awarded a William S. Yorozu Scholarship and a Robert S. Sato Scholarship.

Kai is the son of Dick and Susan Lee Yamamoto. Hello Blaine community, Thank you so much for your support as I continue my education at Bellevue College. I would also like to give a special thank you to both the Yorozu and Sato families for sponsoring the scholarships! Although I am entering my third year of college, I am also entering the final year of my program! This Spring, I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. I am very grateful to be able to experience college and take all the amazing classes I have been able to take so far! I can’t wait to continue classes this fall and graduate this year! – Kai Yamamoto

Joshua Santos

Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship.

Joshua is the son of Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos and Alma Santos. Hello Blaine Community, I would like to thank everybody at Blaine Memorial UMC for giving me the opportunity to go to the University of Washington and earn my Bachelors Degree. I will be pursuing a degree in Film. I hope to be able to work on Films and TV Shows after I graduate. I will also use the knowledge I learn to help other churches with video projects, equipment set up, etc. I would also like to thank you for treating us like family. I’m glad to be a part of Blaine and seeing what the future holds for us. – Joshua Santos

Kobe Yamamoto

Awarded a Blaine Memorial UMC Scholarship and a William S. Yorozu Scholarship.

Kobe is the son of Dick and Susan Lee Yamamoto. I would like to thank the Blaine congregation for their support over the many years in helping me pursue my dreams. I would also like to give a special thanks to the Yorozu family, for the financial support. Blaine has been instrumental to my growth as a student and as a person. Currently, I am a rising Junior at the University of Washington, majoring in Accounting and Information Systems, as well as minoring in Real Estate and the Jack and Ann Rhodes Professional Sales program. The scholarships I have received will go towards paying for tuition and textbooks. – Kobe Yamamoto

Michelle Yokoyama

Awarded a William S. Yorozu Scholarship.

Michelle is the daughter of Jeff and Shelly Yokoyama.

Dear Sato family and Blaine Congregation, I would like to extend my deep appreciation for always supporting me on my academic path to pursue higher education. Thank you to the Sato family for their generosity of the Robert S. Sato scholarship! I will be attending WSU Spokane’s location to achieve my degree in the Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology. I will use the money towards tuition, housing, and books. My career goals are to become a Registered Dietitian and acquire my American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certification. The pathway I am interested in is to become a clinical dietitian by using my knowledge of nutrition to assist clients. The ACSM Certification will allow me to utilize an exercise plan to help clients with chronic diseases to better their life through nutrition and exercise intervention. My desire is to be able to educate clients in a collaborative and compassionate manner so they can make healthy lifestyle choices. With sincere appreciation, thank you for the scholarship which will help me achieve my goals. I truly appreciate your support! – Michelle Yokoyama

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