National Education Center
Student Scholarships
2025 High School & College
Go For Broke Legacy Scholarships
The Go For Broke National Education Center’s (GFBNEC) Legacy Scholarship and Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship program invites high school and college students to apply for this opportunity to support their service and education endeavors. We are excited to have students explore and analyze the legacy of the Japanese American soldiers of World War II (WWII) and its impact on contemporary themes (e.g., social justice, discrimination, civil liberties, and democracy), as it reflects the challenges faced by minority groups during times of conflict.
This year’s theme, “Carrying Forward the Go For Broke Spirit,” challenges students to consider how the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII can inspire us to address today’s social challenges through community service and personal action.
In addition to the scholarships, winners will be recognized at GFBNEC public programs, and all winning entries will be published on the GFBNEC website.
Applications for the 2025 Go For Broke Legacy Scholarships are now open.
Award Categories
High School Division
Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship
Go For Broke Legacy Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship
College Division
Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship
Go For Broke Legacy Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship
How to Apply
TO ENTER: Submit an ESSAY (400–500 words) on the following prompt.
Carrying Forward the Go For Broke Spirit: How can the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII inspire us to address today’s social challenges through community service and personal action?
DEADLINE: Submit entries by Sunday, October 19, 2025 11:59 PDT. Only completed submissions will be considered for the scholarships. If there are issues with the submission form, please contact [email protected].
The application can be accessed at: tinyurl.com/2025gfb-scholarship.
Eligibility
- Contest is open to all high school (9th through 12th grades) and college (undergraduate and graduate) students.
- Prior winners are ineligible for entry.
- Applicants to the Go For Broke Legacy Scholarships can also apply for the Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship. Students can win either the GFB Legacy Scholarship or the Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship, but not both. To be considered for the Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship, please complete the additional section in the application.
Note: All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by GFBNEC. Winners will be notified by late November 2025. In order to stay informed on GFBNEC news and updates, all participants will be added to the eTorch online newsletter subscriber list.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
- Hear the first-person perspectives in GFBNEC’s Hanashi Oral History Collection of over 1,200 audio-visual interviews that provide valuable insight on the veterans experience. Visit goforbroke.org/hanashi, or our affiliated website, the Japanese American Military History Collective at ndajams.omeka.net.
- Additional narratives, stories and impacts of the Go For Broke legacy can be found on the GFBNEC YouTube channel.
- Please see additional resources about the GFBNEC story and its connection to contemporary issues at goforbroke.org.
Scholarship Honorees
Thank you to the following sponsors for their continued generous support: Pacific Global Investment Management Company in memory of WWII veteran Manabi Hirasaki and Sig Kagawa; Ken and June Shimabukuro; and Anonymous in memory of WWII veteran Masao “Mas” Takahashi.
Manabi Hirasaki
522nd Field Artillery Battalion, C Battery
“I just figured I was doing my share… I was proud to be with the 442nd.”
Sig Kagawa
Community Philanthropist and Business Leader
A strong leader with a lasting mission – getting others involved and invested.
Mas Takahashi
100th Infantry Battalion, C Company
Keeping his buddies’ memories alive.
Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship
GFBNEC is pleased to organize the 4th Annual Lawson Iichiro Sakai Memorial Scholarship, a part of the annual Go For Broke scholarship, established by family and friends of the Nisei WWII veteran to recognize students with outstanding community service. One high school student and one college (undergraduate or graduate) student will be selected based on active participation and support of their community.
About Lawson Iichiro Sakai
Born in Los Angeles in 1923, Lawson fully embodied the spirit of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist in the military service but was classified as an “ineligible alien.” When the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit of Japanese Americans, was formed in 1943, Lawson immediately volunteered. During his service he participated in the liberation of Bruyeres, France, and the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” in 1944, receiving a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge. After the war, Lawson founded the “Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans” group and generously shared his WWII experience as a way of honoring those he fought alongside with. A dedicated member of the GFBNEC family, Lawson’s commitment to community serves as a driving force of this scholarship.
GFBNEC is honored to administer this scholarship on behalf of the generous family and friends of Lawson Sakai.
This program is not affiliated with nor endorsed by any school or school district.
Go For Broke National Education Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.