A premier partnership between IBM and the Asian Business Association:   The Launch of the eMentoring Program at Gardena High School

     On December 12, 2003, IBM and Asian Business Association (ABA) joined
       together to celebrate the "kick-off" of IBM MentorPlace at Gardena High
         School in Gardena, California. The program brings together the knowledge

          and enthusiasm
           of the Gardena
            High students
            and teachers
            with the
          dedication, 
         experience, and        volunteering spirit
   of the IBM and ABA  mentors. This event

The kick-off had an enthusiastic turn out of ABA and IBM mentors, Gardena High students, and IBM and ABA leadership. Attendees included IBM Corporate Community Relations Manager Bill Brown, the Principal of Gardena High Dr. David Almada, the sponsoring teacher Mrs. June Thompson, Assistant Principal Cheryl Nakata, ABA President Lily Chia Tsau, and the IBM Coordinator Rene Nakasone Hanada. Following the kick-off, the students will pose career-related questions to their mentors, obtain ideas on writing a better senior portfolio, and become more comfortable with using the Internet as a forum for professional communications.

The students are all part of a special group participating in a program called SCIBA, the Southern California International Business Academy. The students have a wide variety of future aspirations, ranging from pharmacy, entrepreneurial endeavors, military, nursing, forensics, fashion, education and racing.

The mentors, who have distinguished themselves as generous volunteers, come from an array of different corporations and organizations in Southern California, led by IBM. Other corporations include AEG Staples, Honda, Toyota, Mt. St. Mary's College, UCI, Pomona Colleges, Indyllic, Insight, LA World Airports, SCE, Asian Business Development, Acumen Pacific, Epage, Long Beach City College, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The mentors who plan to contribute their time and commitment to Gardena High School include Alma Robles Apodaca, Tasha Willis, Irene Kawai, Anita Jain, Michelle Smith-Ballard, Hojin Kim, Sunny Lee, Brad Waller, Glen Constantino, Antoinette Killam, Eva Lau, Michelle Tang, Lisa Sueki, Tommy Leung, Arnold Ng, Max Kawano, Grace Whitcomb, Mallinath Durgad, Michael DeGuzman Nobleza, J.J. Ahn, Dennis Huang, Bob Glickley, Debbie Giunta, Lily Chia Tsau, Rose Cote, Aaron Emi, John Arena, and Lynne Sueki.

The program with Gardena High School demonstrates IBM's and ABA's commitment to education and raising student achievement. It is their shared hope that this joint program will mark the beginning of a bright future that will provide inspiration to the next generation of young leaders.