The Larry Ragle Scholarship
The Larry Ragle Scholarship was established in 2024 by Nina Ragle and her family, who donated the bonsai tree and pot collection Larry had built over many years as an active bonsai artist and teacher in Southern California.
Long time friend, member of the San Diego Bonsai Club and teacher, Fred Miyahara, along with his student Mathew Gelacio, moved the entire collection from Larry and Nina’s home in Laguna Beach to Fred’s garden in San Diego, had the pot collection evaluated by the American Japanese bonsai pot expert Michael Ryan Bell and worked to improve the health of the collection in preparation for the sale of all items which would then provide funding for the scholarship. Additional funds were donated in his name with the news of Larry’s passing.
Together, Nina and Fred determined the first round of 2024 scholarships of $250 which were awarded to four Southern California bonsai students with less than 10 years of bonsai experience. In 2025 the amount was raised to $500, given how well-endowed the Scholarship had become, and the less than ten-year requirement was also removed. The only requirement of the award is for the previous winners to return to the Club, on the anniversary of the award, to explain how the award benefited their bonsai practice.
The San Diego Bonsai Club holds the funds under their 501(c)(3). Fred Miyahara of SDBC and Doyle Saito of Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai call for applications in June of each year from all Southern California Clubs, holding a drawing each September when 4 lucky winners receive the awards to help further their bonsai knowledge.
Susan Ronan, SDBC President
January, 2025
Long time friend, member of the San Diego Bonsai Club and teacher, Fred Miyahara, along with his student Mathew Gelacio, moved the entire collection from Larry and Nina’s home in Laguna Beach to Fred’s garden in San Diego, had the pot collection evaluated by the American Japanese bonsai pot expert Michael Ryan Bell and worked to improve the health of the collection in preparation for the sale of all items which would then provide funding for the scholarship. Additional funds were donated in his name with the news of Larry’s passing.
Together, Nina and Fred determined the first round of 2024 scholarships of $250 which were awarded to four Southern California bonsai students with less than 10 years of bonsai experience. In 2025 the amount was raised to $500, given how well-endowed the Scholarship had become, and the less than ten-year requirement was also removed. The only requirement of the award is for the previous winners to return to the Club, on the anniversary of the award, to explain how the award benefited their bonsai practice.
The San Diego Bonsai Club holds the funds under their 501(c)(3). Fred Miyahara of SDBC and Doyle Saito of Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai call for applications in June of each year from all Southern California Clubs, holding a drawing each September when 4 lucky winners receive the awards to help further their bonsai knowledge.
Susan Ronan, SDBC President
January, 2025