Craig Ishii helps RS21 students understand Team Dynamics—how to work together in groups

RS21 students taking a selfie in front of Toyo Miyatake's replica camera outside of the Go For Broke National Education Center for the Little Tokyo Scavenger Hunt

Kurt Ikeda helps RS21 students understand Japanese American cultural values with the Peeling the Orange exercise

Schedule

The RS22 Program will be held on one or two Saturdays per month from October 2025 through April 2026 at the Union Church of Los Angeles in Little Tokyo as follows:

2025
- October 11: “Team Dynamics” workshop
- October 25: Beach Outing
- November 15: “Assertiveness” workshop
- December 13: "Speak to Inspire" workshop

2026
- January 10: "Cultural Awareness" workshop
- January 24: “Japanese American Heritage” workshop
- February 7: "Networking" workshop
- February 21: Group Project & College Life 101
- March 7: Final Group Project Event
- March 21: Review Session & Social Outing
- April 11: Culmination
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Sessions generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Program

The Risings Stars Youth Leadership Program presents a series of fun and interactive workshops that provide leadership training and cultural education, led by professional trainers. Topics include:

Team Dynamics—understanding who we are and how to work in groups with those different from us
Speak to Inspire—how to do powerful and persuasive public speaking
Cultural Awareness—how Japanese values influence us and how we lead
Assertiveness—how to be assertive, not passive or aggressive, in various real-life situations
Networking—how to introduce ourselves to new people, talk with them, and develop a network
Japanese American Heritage— understanding the history, culture, and community of Japanese Americans

Participants will have an opportunity to apply their skills by completing a group project—the annual Rising Stars Miniature Golf Tournament at Camelot Golfland in Anaheim

They will also participate in such cultural activities as a Little Tokyo Scavenger Hunt and a tour of the Go For Broke National Education Center and the Japanese American National Museum

RS21 students, after an afternoon of bonding through various group activities, pause for a group picture at the Annual Beach Outing at Huntington Beach

RS21 students test out their newly acquired networking skills with guests who are professionals in the working world, at the Networking Luncheon

How To Apply

Applications for our 2025-2026 program are now being accepted...click here to apply
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Applicants for the program must be enrolled in high school during the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment will be limited to a maximum of 24 students.

What Past Participants Are Saying About Rising Stars

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"Before Rising Stars, I thought I knew anything and everything there was to know about leadership. But after attending workshops...I can honestly and humbly say ‘What was I thinking?' I realized that I had plenty to learn...."
- Kendall, Rising Stars 2 graduate


"The speakers we had taught us practical skills as well as a better understanding of our culture. I especially gained from the sessions about how to work in groups and the importance of networking. I’ve already implemented the networking skills which really helped me with a school project!”
- Nicole, Rising Stars 5 graduate ​

Winston Chang takes RS21 students through an interactive workshop to help them learn how to be assertive

RS21 students have fun bowling together at X-Lanes in Little Tokyo

Mitch Maki interacts with RS21 students at the Go For Broke National Education Center for the workshop on Japanese American Heritage