2026 Travel Grant Recipients

Nathaly Morales, Everett Alvarez High School

“Being in Japan will change how I move through the world. Through homestays and school visits, I will see how community isn't created through big changes, but through consistency: showing up, paying attention, and caring without recognition. Just as I once learned the value of a quarter through experience rather than explanation, Japan would teach me lessons that can only be understood by living them. I want to take everything I’ve learned - my resilience, voice, and compassion - and place it into a new cultural landscape, where I can grow into the person I’ve always dreamed of becoming.”

Kimberly Zazueta-Vidal, North Salinas High School

“Traveling to Japan has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Now that I’ve been taking Japanese classes in high school, actually going to Japan will be a game changer for me and the next step towards my growth. I am very grateful for the opportunity to receive this grant.”

Nathaly and Kimberly will be traveling to Japan this summer with New Perspectives Japan