Main: 2024 Man, Woman of the Year show best of MH volunteers

Susan Hines and Brian Shiroyama will be honored at Chamber’s Celebrate gala

The 2024 Man of the Year, Brian Shiroyama, and Woman of the Year Susan Hines, in front of a portrait of El Toro at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center. Photo by Marty Cheek

By Marty Cheek

After decades spent guiding local students’ scientific curiosity and preserving the region’s Japanese-American legacy, Susan Hines and Brian Shiroyama will be honored this month by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce as impactful community volunteers.

Their decades-long commitments to local education and cultural understanding have made the South Valley a richer, more engaged place to live and learn. The two will be recognized as the 2024 Man and Woman of the Year at the annual Celebrate awards gala held Sunday March 24 at Guglielmo Winery.

A longtime scientist and chemistry teacher, Hines has fostered a love of science in mentoring the community’s youth by leading the South Valley Science and Engineering Fair as well as STEM workshops. A local legend in science education, she receives the honor for her decades of mentorship and STEM advocacy in the community.

“Susan’s dedication for our students to learn the importance of STEM and STEAM in their lives is inspiring,” said Peggy Martin, Hines’ fellow science fair organizer, in a nomination letter. “SVSEF is the inclusive, juried science competition for fifth to eighth graders in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy — providing students their first taste of science fairs thanks to Susan’s hard work.”

Hines’s volunteer service extends to the Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) where she’s organized STEM programs for high school girls like the Girls Engaged in Math and Science (GEMS) workshops and Tech Trek science camp.

As a former scientist at companies like Hughes Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas, Hines provided critical chemistry analysis during the investigation of the fatal 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. She holds three patents.

Her love of local history led her to also volunteer with the Morgan Hill Historical Society, serving on the board and helping school children learn about what life was like in the past.

“Susan brings integrity and an excellent work ethic to anything she takes on,” said Kathy Sullivan, past president of the MHHS where Hines served as education director for five years.

A retired Air Force colonel, at age 81 Shiroyama was surprised at a Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans meeting in January when Chamber ambassadors marched in to announce he is the 2024 Man of the Year. He received the honor for keeping Japanese-American history alive by creating local exhibits and spearheading cultural exchanges.

The Chamber recognizes Shiroyama preserving and sharing the history of the local Japanese-American community. His efforts have highlighted the many contributions this ethnic group has made, including the legacy of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service of the Nisei veterans. He created displays at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center and aboard the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda.

Shiroyama was honored in a special ceremony in 2022, with the presentation of a prestigious Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. He received this recognition for his many years helping the Nisei veterans and sharing their stories with the public.

Shiroyama was born June 3, 1942, at the Manzanar War Relocation Center. He believes it’s important to share with the public as a cautionary story of the U.S. government unjustly imprisoning more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.

Shiroyama served as a leader in establishing in 2006 a Sister Cities relationship between Morgan Hill and Mizuho, Japan. He exchanges frequent emails with Mizuho’s current Mayor Sugiura, who attended the signing of the Sister City Proclamation. His work led to an ongoing student exchange program that connects local youths with students overseas.

For years, Shiroyama helped coordinate popular events like the Haru Matsuri Festival and Takio Drum Expo at the Buddhist Center. The annual spring festival draws visitors from across the region to experience Japanese culture in art, music, dance and cuisine.

“Brian’s quiet dedication has preserved Japanese traditions and history in our community for future generations,” said Howard Watanabe, a fellow volunteer. “He truly deserves this recognition.”

Shiroyama’s devotion to establishing the exchange program has influenced and created lasting memories for many local youth, said his friend Mary Wakatsuki, chairperson of the program, in an email.

“It’s wonderful to recognize all the volunteering Brian has done” she said. “Through his diligence, perseverance, commitment, he has accomplished a lot that has taught, brought joy and closure for some and continues to keep the veterans’ stories alive. He has touched many lives and will continue to do so.”