2022 Japanese Language Speech Contest

On March 12, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston, together with the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), co-hosted the 2022 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest online.  Support was provided by Japan Foundation Los Angels, the Japanese Association of Greater Houston (JAGH), the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH), the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT), and Kinokuniya.
 
With a 32 year history, the contest has long 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 hone their teaching methods.
 
Thirty-six contestants, made up from the winners of 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.
 
Besides hot competition by contestants, Canadian rakugo storyteller, a special guest, Katsura Sunshine performed a short rakugo story, and the representative of the JETAA TEXOMA Chapter (the alumni organization of JET Program participants in Texas and Oklahoma) introduced its experiences in Japan through the JET Program.
After careful consideration, the top three winners of each division (and one winner in the Open competition) received awards and prizes from the supporting organizations.  In addition, Adanuri ANAYIAM, the first place winner in the High School Free Speech division, won the opportunity to compete at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest in June of 2022. 
 
The top three winners in each division were as follows:
 
Poetry Division
1^st -　Joshua ZUNIGA, Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region
2^nd -　Qianyue LUO, William P. Clements H.S., Houston Region
3^rd -  Jerry ZHANG, William P. Clements H.S., Houston Region             
 
Haiku Division
1^st -　Narah MONREAL, Churchill H.S., San Antonio Region                  
2^nd -　Rebecca SCARAMUZZI, LASA H.S., Austin Region
3^rd -  Ghania EWELIKE, Richardson H.S. Dallas Region
 
H.S. Free Speech Division
1^st -　Adanuri ANAYIAM, “The Courage To Face Myself", L.V. Berkner H.S., Dallas Region
2^nd -　Elianna MOORE, "How to Fold Peace", Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region 
3^rd -　Camille KOUTRAS, "Life-Changing Fashion", Ronald Reagan H.S., San Antonio Region
 
College and University Free Speech Division
1^st -　Ella BARTON, "My Superpower: Synesthesia", University of Texas at Austin, Austin Region
2^nd -　James DALTON, "Wordplay", University of Texas at Austin, Austin Region                  
3^rd -　Jeilene FABI, "My Internship Experience", University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Region
 
Open Division
1^st -　Alisa NORO, "Arch Enemy: Ise-ben", College Park H.S., Houston Region
 
In addition, a new award - JTAT INSPIRATION AWARD went to Shaina Albert. This award celebrates Texas Japanese language learners whose efforts inspire and motivate others to excel in their own pursuits in the study of Japanese.
 
A video of the contest is available on the Japan-America Society of Houston's YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3phfOnLZvo