On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Japanese language learners from across the Houston region came together at the University of St. Thomas to compete in the 31st Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest.
Thirty-seven (37) contestants demonstrated their Japanese skills in the areas of (i) POETRY RECITATION, (ii) HAIKU, (iii) FREE SPEECH AURORA, and (iv) FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.
The contest coincided with National Language Advocacy Month, giving all participants the opportunity to join the national “LEAD WITH LANGUAGES” campaign and tell their own stories of Japanese language learning success.
"Otsukaresama" to all participants, and "omedetou gozaimasu" to all winners.
Thank you for your inspiring displays of courage, initiative, diligence and enthusiasm.
Winners are listed below by division. Those placing in the top two will move on to the TEXAS STATE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SPEECH CONTEST, which will be held on March 28, 2020.
POETRY
1. Guoming YUAN – 10th, William P. Clements High School
2. Sarah VU – 9th, William P. Clements High School
3. Charlotte LIN – 9th, William P. Clements High School
HAIKU
1. Hayagreev JAYARAM – 10th, Bellaire High School
2. Kameron MARTINEZ – 11th, Morton Ranch High School
3. Olanrewanju OLAOYE – 12th, William P. Clements High School
FREE SPEECH AURORA
1. Nallely SALINAS – 12th, Bellaire High School
2. Chaerin KIM – 11th, William P. Clements High School
3. Emily WONG – 12th, William P. Clements High School
FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
1. Hsinhui LI – Senior, Rice University
2. Marquita WALKER – Sophomore, Texas A&M University
3. Lyann KRAMER– Junior, Texas A&M University
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS:
Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
Grassroots Exchange Network-Japan (GEN-J)
Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT)
Hiroko Fukuhara Karch, JTAT Vice President
Diana Speaks, University of St. Thomas