Foothills Sentry Page 8 JULY 2025 E nj oy your S um m er! dan@ D anS later. com 7 1 4 - 7 4 4 - 2 2 1 9 1537 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 9286 6 DAN SLATER Museum features the JapaneseAmerican community of Tustin: before and during WWII By Guy Ball Prior to World War II, there were small Japanese communities throughout Southern California, including in Tustin, centered around Browning and Bryan Aves. Most of the families leased land from The Irvine Company and grew vegetables. The children attended local schools, including Tustin High School. But once the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, the families were uprooted and interned, primarily to the Colorado River Relocation Center in Poston, Arizona. Historical researcher Tim Zierer shares his research on the community and their lives in the decade leading up to the war at the Friday, July 25 meeting of the Tustin Area Historical Society. He will also look at the growing number of Japanese-Americans at Tustin High School and discuss their fate: particularly 13 former students, who despite being unjustly imprisoned along with their families, chose to serve their county in the U.S. Army during WWII. One of those was Yukito Murakami, THS Class of 1935, who served in the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of all Japanese-American soldiers. Murakami was wounded twice while fighting in Italy with his unit. This "Night at the Museum" meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tustin Area Museum, 345 El Camino Real. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 each for members. Due to the limited seating area, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. For more information and tickets visit TustinHistory.com or call the museum, (714) 731-5701. The 2025 Assisteens Medallion honorees are: front row, left to right, Ayden Santana, Kathleen Tighe, Norah Dome, Sam Malo, Amaya Patel, Annika Patel, Kaycen Kraft; middle row, from left, Hudson Kridle, Makenna Simpson, Amelia Gray, Claire von Ting, Alia Dadabhoy, Kaitlyn Helffrich, Kishan Master; and back row, left to right, Jonah Meis, Cassidy Christensen, Payton Kauffman, Emily Woodford, Taylor Yasuma, Hailey Gorton, Leila Wu, Audrey Romo and Cameron Scales. Not pictured: Ella Bonn, Ava Brobst, Landon Hogan, Valentine Lopez, Gwen Morrison and Kyla Snell. Graduating Assisteens lauded and applauded Graduating seniors gathered with family, friends and guests to be recognized for their service at the 58th annual Assisteens Medallion Ceremony. The Assisteens Auxiliary of Assistance League of Orange, comprised of students in seventh to 12th grade, serve the community through programs for children, families and senior citizens. The Medallion Ceremony, held at the Hotel Fera Anaheim, April 27, celebrated the culmination of high school for students representing Canyon, Crean Lutheran, El Modena, Fairmont, San Juan Capistrano, Foothill, Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Samueli Academy, Troy and Villa Park High Schools. The Chairman’s Award was presented to Sam Malo, who has served as chapter president for two years, bringing energy and leadership to the role. Most Spirited New Member was awarded to Santino Uriostegui; Outstanding New Member was Claire Mouw. Olivia Drapalski, Kaitlyn Helffrich, Gavin Cortes, Maddie Romo and Valentine Lopez were each recognized with Chairmanship Awards. Audrey Romo and Emily Woodford received the Above and Beyond Hours Award. The NORMA Award was presented to Cameron Scales and Celiana Eaton as members who live up to the motto “Nothing Overwhelms ‘R’ Magnificent Assisteens.” Amelia Gray and Claire von Ting received the Coveny Spirit Award; the Acts of Kindness Award was presented to Adria Eickhoff and Shrey Master. Leila Wu was recognized as Most Outstanding Assisteen of the Year. Parents of two Medallion recipients were honored with the Medallion Circle Award for their contributions to the Auxiliary: Kathleen Scales and Neena Master. Emblem Club welcomes holiday vendors The Orange Emblem Club #418 is teaming with the Garden Grove club to host a holiday craft fair in October. The clubs are inviting vendors of holiday fare and boutique items to participate. Those interested may contact Jan Genelle at (714) 235-5314 or Joyce Claussen at (714) 5044934. The cost is $50 per space; tables provided. The fair will be held Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge, 11551 Trask Ave. A last-minute gathering at Newport Avenue and Main Street in Tustin acknowledging No Kings Day, June 14, attracted an estimated 1,000 people. The rally was one of over 2,000 held nationwide. North Tustin and City of Orange residents participated in the event. Individuals from all walks of life attended the rally at La Palma Park. The No Kings rally in Anaheim brought together some 10,000 to 12,000 people from throughout Orange County. Locals join national rally Photos by Tony Richards Photo courtesy Turville Photography
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