2024 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest
2024/3/21
On March 9, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston, together with the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), co-hosted the 2024 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest at Rice University’s Anderson-Clarke Center auditorium. Support was provided by the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles; the Japanese Association of Greater Houston (JAGH); the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH); the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT); Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.; All Nippon Airways; and Kinokuniya.
Over its 35-year history, 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 hone their teaching methods.
At the opening ceremony, JASH executive director Patsy Brown delivered opening remarks. Additional messages of encouragement were given to the contestants by Dr. Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor Ottawa University; Dr. Helade Scutti Santos, Director, Center for Languages & Intercultural Communications, School of Humanities, Rice University; and Ms. Elizabeth Hojo, JTAT President.
Thirty-three contestants consisting of the winners of the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston regional contests, demonstrated their Japanese language proficiency across five divisions: Poetry, Haiku, High School Free Speech, Free Speech College & University, and an Open division. Although they may have been nervous, the contestants showed the results of their daily studies as they responded to the cheers of their family and friends. The contestants enjoyed interacting with each other during the break time, and the event served as an opportunity for Japanese language learners to meet in person.
While awaiting the contest results, Japanese sweets and powdered green tea were served by Oyatsu aoi, a Japanese sweets shop from Kyoto City. Guests could also try their hands at calligraphy, providing an additional opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
At the closing ceremony, Consul General Murabayashi and Vice president of JASH, Mr. Ishikawa, issued awards and prizes from supporting organizations to the top three winners of each division. In addition, Lauren TIPPIN, the first-place winner of the High School Free Speech division, and Ian BARKER, the second-place winner of the High School Free Speech division, won the opportunity to compete at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest in the summer of 2024.
The top three winners in each division were:
Poetry Division
1st - Onyoo JUNG, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd - Wendy WANG, Clements H.S., Houston Region
3rd – Andres BASABE, LASA H.S., Austin Region
Haiku Division
1st- Sarah ADEYEMI, Jonson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Caleb GIDDINGS, Richardson H.S., San Dallas Region
3rd- Estrella DIAZ-MENDOZA, LASA H.S., Austin Region
H.S. Free Speech Division
1st- Lauren TIPPIN, "My Experience in Japan", Boerne H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Ian BARKER, "The Effectiveness of Propaganda in Film", Richardson H.S., Dallas Region
3rd – Zafir KHAN, "Life Adventures Learned from the World of 'One Piece'", Clements H.S., Houston Region
College and University Free Speech Division
1st- Bryson JUN, "Japanese and Me", Rice University, Houston Region
2nd- Navtej DHARMAPURI THIRUMALA, "How We Should Approach Different Cultures", University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Region
3rd- Isabella TAN, "Something I Want to Do for Life", University of North Texas, Dallas Region
Open Division
1st- Andrew HAYNES, "Panic in Meiji-Jingu", Houston Region
2nd- Celeste TOLEDO-DAVALOS, "The Sweetest Reward", San Antonio Region
3rd- Mae READY, "What We Can Do Together", Austin Region
Over its 35-year history, 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 hone their teaching methods.
At the opening ceremony, JASH executive director Patsy Brown delivered opening remarks. Additional messages of encouragement were given to the contestants by Dr. Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor Ottawa University; Dr. Helade Scutti Santos, Director, Center for Languages & Intercultural Communications, School of Humanities, Rice University; and Ms. Elizabeth Hojo, JTAT President.
Thirty-three contestants consisting of the winners of the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston regional contests, demonstrated their Japanese language proficiency across five divisions: Poetry, Haiku, High School Free Speech, Free Speech College & University, and an Open division. Although they may have been nervous, the contestants showed the results of their daily studies as they responded to the cheers of their family and friends. The contestants enjoyed interacting with each other during the break time, and the event served as an opportunity for Japanese language learners to meet in person.
While awaiting the contest results, Japanese sweets and powdered green tea were served by Oyatsu aoi, a Japanese sweets shop from Kyoto City. Guests could also try their hands at calligraphy, providing an additional opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
At the closing ceremony, Consul General Murabayashi and Vice president of JASH, Mr. Ishikawa, issued awards and prizes from supporting organizations to the top three winners of each division. In addition, Lauren TIPPIN, the first-place winner of the High School Free Speech division, and Ian BARKER, the second-place winner of the High School Free Speech division, won the opportunity to compete at the All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest in the summer of 2024.
The top three winners in each division were:
Poetry Division
1st - Onyoo JUNG, Johnson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd - Wendy WANG, Clements H.S., Houston Region
3rd – Andres BASABE, LASA H.S., Austin Region
Haiku Division
1st- Sarah ADEYEMI, Jonson H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Caleb GIDDINGS, Richardson H.S., San Dallas Region
3rd- Estrella DIAZ-MENDOZA, LASA H.S., Austin Region
H.S. Free Speech Division
1st- Lauren TIPPIN, "My Experience in Japan", Boerne H.S., San Antonio Region
2nd- Ian BARKER, "The Effectiveness of Propaganda in Film", Richardson H.S., Dallas Region
3rd – Zafir KHAN, "Life Adventures Learned from the World of 'One Piece'", Clements H.S., Houston Region
College and University Free Speech Division
1st- Bryson JUN, "Japanese and Me", Rice University, Houston Region
2nd- Navtej DHARMAPURI THIRUMALA, "How We Should Approach Different Cultures", University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Region
3rd- Isabella TAN, "Something I Want to Do for Life", University of North Texas, Dallas Region
Open Division
1st- Andrew HAYNES, "Panic in Meiji-Jingu", Houston Region
2nd- Celeste TOLEDO-DAVALOS, "The Sweetest Reward", San Antonio Region
3rd- Mae READY, "What We Can Do Together", Austin Region
