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Mr. Sonoji Sakai was a first generation Japanese
American. He came from Japan to Bainbridge Island in 1915 and began farming in 1918. The Sakai family property along Madison Avenue is now the site of
Ordway Elementary and Commodore Center. Mr.
Sakai and his wife raised six children and instilled the value of education in
them. They all graduated from
Bainbridge High School. When
the U.S. declared war against Japan, Mr. Sakai and his family were interned in
relocation camps. After nearly four
years, the Sakai family was allowed to return to their Bainbridge Island home.
When new sites schools were needed, the Sakai family offered a portion of their land at a nominal cost.
Mr.
Sakai passed away in 1957. Through
all his struggles during his pioneering years and his relocation camp years, Mr.
Sakai remained a hard working person whose spirit and perseverance
instilled great values in his children. He
valued education and was grateful for the opportunities it opened for his
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This piece of art, created by stone sculptor Molly Greist, consists of a large rock being held up by many smaller stones. Hanging the cranes around the sculpture will remind the students that synergy means working together; we are stronger when we do. Hope, unity, strength, and heroes To symbolize hope for peace, wisdom and strength for the Sakai School community and our nation, Sakai students each made two paper cranes on Thursday, September 13. The idea came from teacher Kris Hotchkiss, who demonstrated the technique to students on Sakai Broadcasting's morning announcements.
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TOP In 1915, my grandfather left Japan to pursue a dream of a new and better life in America. Like your first day in school, I’m sure he felt some fear and yet excitement for what could be. After trying various types of work, he became a strawberry farmer. His first attempt at farming on Bainbridge Island was not successful. The soil was too rocky and dry and so he found land with richer soil and tried again, and grew plants that would thrive and support his wife and six children. Sonoji stressed to each of his children the value of education. He also knew the importance of community. We each have our strengths, but we are lucky to have a community of caring people who believe in education and have given you the rich soil of a wonderful school. Sometime when you are passing by the administration building on Madison Avenue, take a look at the four large trees planted in a row. Sonoji’s son, my father, had planted those trees long ago. Those four trees have grown over the years, and when I see them, I feel respect for the hard work my family and all Issei and Nissei, the first and second generation Japanese have put into our community. I see a parallel between these trees and each of your potential to grown. At times, difficult situations arise and allow us to
learn more about others and ourselves. During
World War II, the Sakai family was placed in an internment camp, but Sonoji
remained loyal to his country. He
told his children, “We are American citizens and are patriotic and support our
country.” As you venture into
your new school year, seeing old friends, making new ones, learning new
subjects, I hope you will remember that we cannot have these encounters without
experiencing challenges. The roots
of the four trees have pushed passed many rocks and hard soil, but they have
thrived. They have become stronger
because of that.
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9343 Sportsman Club Road Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 |
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