Betty Fujita Shima Memorial Scholarship 


a JAVA Memorial Scholarship for High School Seniors

JAVA is profiling the sacrifices and contributions made by the men and women that our JAVA Memorial Scholarship program honors. Today's issue features the Betty Shima Scholarship in honor of Betty Fujita Shima, lifelong partner of 442nd veteran,Terry Shima. It is one of the $1,500 JAVA Memorial Scholarships that will be awarded to a high school senior who will be attending either a two or four-year college in the fall. Application information can be found at the end of the article as well as on the JAVA website.   

Betty Fujita Shima, lifelong partner of 442nd veteran, Terry Shima

Betty Shima was the devoted wife of Terry Shima, a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii, and worked at the Laupahoehoe Sugar Company and the Hilo Tax Office before marrying Terry. In 1946 they left Hawaii for Washington, DC, and raised their two children there and overseas.  

Betty was a recognized calligrapher and enjoyed ikebana and photography. She volunteered throughout her life, including several decades with the American Red Cross starting in WWII. She was an active member of Geneva Presbyterian Church in Potomac, MD, where she served as a deacon, treasurer of the women’s group, delivered Meals on Wheels, and did arts and craft work to raise funds for the church.

JAVA Scholarship Eligibility and Applications

Eligibility:

  • Descendants of those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, or other United States military unit, including the Women’s Army Corps or Army Nurses Corps are eligible and encouraged to apply. 
  • Current members of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2020, are eligible and encouraged to apply. Children of current JAVA members are also eligible and encouraged to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2020. 
  • Past or present members of the Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, ROTC, or U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship. Applicants should demonstrate their lifelong commitment to uniformed and public service leadership for the nation.

Applications:

  • Applicants should first review published rules and forms.
  • Applications and supporting documents must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022, to javascholarship222@gmail.com. Applications not received by that date or that fail to meet the submission requirements will NOT be considered. Applicants will be notified of a decision by early June 2022.


2022 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Program Overview here.

2022 U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship here.

2022 Ishio Founder's Scholarship here.

2022 Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship here.

2022 JAVA Memorial Scholarships here.


Questions or Suggestions: Please contact Neet Ford, at javapotomac@gmail.com.

Japanese American Veterans Association:  Address: P.O. Box 341198, Bethesda, MD 20827 I 

https://java-us.org