Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

On Saturday, March 9th 2013, the Consulate-General of Japan and the Japan-America Society of Houston co-hosted the 24th Annual Texas State-Wide Japanese Language Speech Contest at Rice University’s Herring Hall. Winners of the regional contests held in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio gathered to compete in five divisions ranging from beginner poetry recitation to advanced college and adult level free speech.

First place winner Andrew Kim and second place winner Errol Phalo from the high school free speech division won eligibility to participate in the national competition, the Aurora Foundation All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest, which is annually held in Los Angeles. The representative from Texas has placed first at the national competition for the past two consecutive years.

The annual Texas State-Wide Japanese Language Speech Contest has enjoyed wide ranging community support and this year the supporters include the Japanese Association of Greater Houston, the Japan Business Association of Houston, the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas, the Japan Foundation, JTB USA, Inc., United Airlines, Rice University, Mrs. LaVerl Daily and Mr. Glen Gondo.

After the contest’s conclusion, participants, judges, teachers, and supporters were invited to an award ceremony and reception to honor the contestants. Deputy Consul-General Watabe gave brief remarks thanking supporters of the competition and praising the efforts of the participants. (→link to Deputy Consul-General’s remarks) Community supporters agreed to continue to support Japanese language education in Texas.

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