Grassroots campaign launched for Nikkei candidate and educator.

By PAUL ISOZAKI and CINDY YEE

Supporters of a grassroots campaign for the first Japanese American candidate since flamboyant George Ige served on the City Council of Monterey Park from 1972 to 1978 were recently invited for breakfast at the corner of Highland and Ridgecrest at the home of Robert and Christine Wong.

Dawn Midori Rock first shared that she was of 100% Japanese ancestry. Her grandfather, Frank Mitsuru Gotanda, was born and raised on the island of Kauai, where he learned the love of fishing, hunting, and farming. As an adult and a farmer, Frank moved to Los Angeles with his brothers and opened a produce market on Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

During World War II, the Gotanda family was relocated to an internment camp for Japanese Americans in Rohwer, Ark. On her mother’s side, the Inouye family was relocated to Heart Mountain, Wyo. After the war, both families settled in Los Angeles.

Dawn is the daughter of Lionel and Rose Gotanda. Rose served as secretary to the Monterey Park chief of police, the infamous Jon Elder, and four more chiefs until she retired in 1994.

Dawn is a lifelong resident of Monterey Park who attended Hillcrest Elementary School, Garvey Intermediate School, and Mark Keppel High School. She swam for the Monterey Park Manta Rays and Mark Keppel High School swim teams. Her first job at 16 was as a junior lifeguard at the Barnes Park and Elder Park pools.

In 1987, Dawn was crowned Miss Monterey Park, which allowed her to connect with many businesses and organizations throughout the city.

In 1990, Dawn was crowned East Los Angeles Japanese American Citizens League Queen and represented ELA JACL on the 1990 Nisei Week Court during their 50th anniversary.
If elected, one of her goals is to improve the economic vitality of Monterey Park and foster opportunities for local businesses to thrive and grow.

As a first-generation college student, Dawn holds two master’s degrees from California State University, Los Angeles. In addition, Dawn holds a doctorate in social work from USC and has dedicated 31 years of education as a teacher, counselor, and principal.

While teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Dawn met her husband Nathaniel, another educator, and chose Monterey Park to raise their four children. Their oldest son continued his mother’s tradition by attending Hillcrest and Garvey Intermediate while his siblings attended Brightwood Elementary. All four children are attending or have graduated from MKHS.

With 30 years of experience as a public educator, Dawn has been deeply involved with the Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF) since 2014. She understands the importance of providing our youth with quality services and opportunities and is unwavering in her commitment to making this a reality for her community.

One of Dawn’s childhood memories was competing in the Manta Ray Swim Team events and spending countless hours at Barnes Park Pool, an Olympic-sized pool that played a role in the 1984 Summer Olympics and has been closed since 2021. As part of her campaign, Dawn is determined to find ways to preserve and improve the Barnes Pool because she understands its importance in promoting wellness and health for all generations in her community.

Her doctoral studies in social work at USC have given her a deeper understanding of the innovative solutions available to address social issues such as homelessness and services for the elderly. Dawn is committed to bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to Monterey Park to improve the quality of life for all, just as it was when she was growing up in her hometown.

You can reach Dawn Midori Rock at www.votefordawnrock.com for further information and outreach. Monterey Park residents living in District 2, please vote for and support Dawn Rock on Nov. 5.

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