Melissa Kastler, a senior foreign languages major at Hamilton, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study and conduct research in Japan next year. This is the second consecutive year that a Hamilton student has been chosen for the prestigious fellowship. Last year's award went to William Russell Jr. to study and conduct research at the National University of Singapore.

Kastler, who will receive her bachelor's degree during Hamilton College's Commencement on Sunday, May 19, will look at Japanese traditions and how they affect the current educational policies in that country. Her research will include a day-to-day analysis of the school systems. She has requested to be sent to Tokyo, but is still waiting for confirmation.

The Fulbright Program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1946 to foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchanges. U.S. Senator William Fulbright, the prime sponsor of the program, saw it as a step toward building an alternative to armed conflict.

Selection for participation in the highly regarded program is extremely competitive. The competition for college seniors is even more intense as many Fulbright scholars are master's and Ph.D. degree candidates.

Kastler, a native of Baldwinsville, attended Charles W. Baker High School.