SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Proving that community service has far-reaching benefits, Hitachi, Ltd. identified and rewarded Anthony Emilio Valdez and four other Bay Area students for their commitment to improving the safety of their community. Reflecting President Bush's clarion call for service, the five high school seniors -- selected on the merits of a written application for the 2002 Hitachi Safety Scholarship -- delivered a final-round oral presentation on their community service efforts before a panel of local business and community leaders. The grand-prize winner received $5,000 in scholarship money, while the remaining four finalists each received $1,000.
Valdez delivered the winning presentation on his efforts to improve the conditions for San Francisco's homeless youth and to improve pedestrian safety. As Chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, he works on a variety of issues to advance the lives of local teenagers in the city by creating and improving legislation.
"When one commits themselves to community service it has the power to touch numerous lives. Everyone here's a winner -- I admire all that they've done," Valdez said.
"Mr. Valdez gave a fantastic presentation today on his outstanding efforts to make our community a safer place," said Tetsuo Saito, senior representative for Hitachi, Ltd. "After seeing how hard all of these young men and women work to make a difference, I'm proud to be able to be a part of Hitachi's recognition of their success and community spirit at such a young age. I wish all of our participants the best as they enter college years undoubtedly filled with excitement."
The runner's up included Yvonne Sze Chan from Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco; Anne Lei from Alameda High School in Alameda; George Lew from Galileo Acadamey in San Francisco; and Shannon Ong from Woodside High School in Woodside.
In addition to their prize money, Hitachi surprised each participant with a new VCR to help outfit his or her dorm room. Hitachi, Ltd. also awarded California Safety Scholarships in Orange County/San Diego and Los Angeles County.
For more than 15 years, Hitachi, Ltd. has been a demonstrated leader in the practice of corporate philanthropy and citizenship in California. Long on the cutting edge of new technologies and applications in many areas, including electronics, electrical equipment and systems technologies, Hitachi has 64 group companies operating in North America employing more than 13,000 people, including 4,000 in California.