The 2011 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival announced that applications are available for their 24th annual scholarship program for graduating seniors of Japanese descent in Northern California.

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 at an accredited high school. Applicants should be actively involved in her or his local community.

Students will be awarded scholarships on the basis of commitment to their community, written essays, academic achievement and personal character. Two winners will each receive $2,000 cash. Winners will participate in various Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival activities, including the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival opening ceremony on Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. at the Peace Plaza Stage in San Francisco’s Japantown.

Applications should be postmarked no later than Tuesday, March 15, 2011, and sent to the Cherry Blossom Festival Scholarship Committee, 2441 Farrol Ave., Union City, CA 94587-5258. Applicants may also hand deliver the application by the same date, to the National Japanese American Historical Society, located at 1684 Post St., in San Francisco’s Japantown.

For more information, contact Steven Hirabayashi at (510) 471-7324 or via e-mail at yshiraba@hotmail.com.

The Nikkei Lions Club of San Francisco administers the Cherry Blossom Festival Scholarship Program for the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.