2023Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest
2023/3/16
On March 11, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston, together with the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), co-hosted the 2023 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest at the Rice University’s Hudspeth Auditorium. Support was provided by the Japanese Association of Greater Houston (JAGH), the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH), the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT), Rice University Center for Languages & Intercultural Communications (CLIC), All Nippon Airlines, Kinokuniya, Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the TEXOMA JET Alumni Association.
For more than 30 years, the contest has provided an opportunity for Japanese language learners to showcase their learning achievements and test their Japanese abilities. It is also an opportunity for Japanese language teachers to further refine their teaching methods. The contest had shifted to a virtual format during the pandemic and this was the first in-person competition since 2019.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Consul General Masaya Sagawa and JASH executive director Patsy Brown delivered opening remarks, and Dr. Hélade Scutti Santos, Director of the CLIC, gave a message of encouragement to the contestants.
Thirty-four contestants, comprising winners from the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio regional contests, demonstrated their Japanese language proficiency across five divisions: Poetry, Haiku, High School Free Speech, Free Speech College & University, and an Open division. With cheers and applause from their families and friends, the contestants overcame the stress of competition and calmly demonstrated the results of their diligent study. The participants enjoyed interacting with one another during breaks, and the contest percolated with the benefits of a face-to-face event.
While the judges deliberated, a presentation on Japanese sweets (wagashi) was given by Aoi Tsuchida, the founder of ‘Oyatsu aoi’ -- a wagashi shop in Kyoto City. Wagashi and matcha were also provided, creating an opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
During closing ceremony, JTAT President Elizabeth Hojo commended the contestants' efforts, and the top three winners from each division (including the two winners of the Open competition) received awards and prizes from supporting organizations. In addition, Aiden Sisneros and Muyao Jiang, the top two winners of the High School Free Speech division, won the opportunity to compete at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest to take place on June 4, 2023.
The top three winners of each division were:
Poetry Division
1st - Kim DOMENG, William P. Clemet H.S. Houston Region
2nd - Sarah ADEYEMI, Johnson H.S, San Antonio Region
3rd – Jacob DUKE, Jhonson H.S., San Antonio Region
Haiku Division
1st- Zaina KHATTARY, LASA H.S., Austin Region
2nd- Selina YE, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
3rd- Zafir KHAN, William P. Celement H.S., Houston Region
H.S. Free Speech Division
1st- Aidan SISNEROS “Anyone Can Become a Cultural Bridge”, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Muyao JIANG, "My Opinion to Chinese Education System ", Bellaire H.S., Houston Region
3rd – Narah MONREAL, "My Ikigai”, Churchill H.S., San Antonio Region
College and University Free Speech Division
1st- Katherine JEOUNG, "My Journey Up Until Now”, University of Texas at Austin, Austin Region
2nd- Sofia DOMINGUEZ, "Japanese and Men and Women and…", University of North Texas, Dallas Region
3rd- Ryan PARK, "My Experience Getting Bullied in Middle School”, Rice University, Houston Region
Open Division
1st – Marie ROMANO, “A World Without Tea is Not My Cup of Tea”, Austin Region
For more than 30 years, the contest has provided an opportunity for Japanese language learners to showcase their learning achievements and test their Japanese abilities. It is also an opportunity for Japanese language teachers to further refine their teaching methods. The contest had shifted to a virtual format during the pandemic and this was the first in-person competition since 2019.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Consul General Masaya Sagawa and JASH executive director Patsy Brown delivered opening remarks, and Dr. Hélade Scutti Santos, Director of the CLIC, gave a message of encouragement to the contestants.
Thirty-four contestants, comprising winners from the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio regional contests, demonstrated their Japanese language proficiency across five divisions: Poetry, Haiku, High School Free Speech, Free Speech College & University, and an Open division. With cheers and applause from their families and friends, the contestants overcame the stress of competition and calmly demonstrated the results of their diligent study. The participants enjoyed interacting with one another during breaks, and the contest percolated with the benefits of a face-to-face event.
While the judges deliberated, a presentation on Japanese sweets (wagashi) was given by Aoi Tsuchida, the founder of ‘Oyatsu aoi’ -- a wagashi shop in Kyoto City. Wagashi and matcha were also provided, creating an opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
During closing ceremony, JTAT President Elizabeth Hojo commended the contestants' efforts, and the top three winners from each division (including the two winners of the Open competition) received awards and prizes from supporting organizations. In addition, Aiden Sisneros and Muyao Jiang, the top two winners of the High School Free Speech division, won the opportunity to compete at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest to take place on June 4, 2023.
The top three winners of each division were:
Poetry Division
1st - Kim DOMENG, William P. Clemet H.S. Houston Region
2nd - Sarah ADEYEMI, Johnson H.S, San Antonio Region
3rd – Jacob DUKE, Jhonson H.S., San Antonio Region
Haiku Division
1st- Zaina KHATTARY, LASA H.S., Austin Region
2nd- Selina YE, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
3rd- Zafir KHAN, William P. Celement H.S., Houston Region
H.S. Free Speech Division
1st- Aidan SISNEROS “Anyone Can Become a Cultural Bridge”, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Muyao JIANG, "My Opinion to Chinese Education System ", Bellaire H.S., Houston Region
3rd – Narah MONREAL, "My Ikigai”, Churchill H.S., San Antonio Region
College and University Free Speech Division
1st- Katherine JEOUNG, "My Journey Up Until Now”, University of Texas at Austin, Austin Region
2nd- Sofia DOMINGUEZ, "Japanese and Men and Women and…", University of North Texas, Dallas Region
3rd- Ryan PARK, "My Experience Getting Bullied in Middle School”, Rice University, Houston Region
Open Division
1st – Marie ROMANO, “A World Without Tea is Not My Cup of Tea”, Austin Region