Image provided by National Veterans Network
The National Veterans Network (NVN) has announced the winner of its High School Video Contest, sponsored by global media and technology leader Comcast NBCUniversal, is Rina Iwata, a senior at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas.
As part of its mission to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry, the NVN invited high school students in the United States to research and share how the story of an American WWII soldier of Japanese ancestry impacted their own life.
Iwata utilized original illustrations, historical photos and an individual interview to depict how her personal life was impacted by the story of Japanese American World War II veteran George Fujimoto in her winning video submission.
As winner of the NVN High School Video Contest, Iwata and one family member will be awarded a trip to the National Museum of the United States Army, including airfare and travel accommodations in Washington DC/Virginia. Iwata and her family member will also be invited to a private event at the museum in August where she will screen her winning video. She will also be able to visit an exhibit on the Japanese American WWII soldier experience with artifacts from WWII soldiers donated by veterans and families.
"In recognition during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we are excited to select Rina as the winner of our video contest," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director at NVN. "The committee was impressed and moved with how she understood the importance of sharing the stories of the Japanese American WWII soldiers, while sharing her unique perspective of her own identity and struggle as an Asian American in this country. We hope her video will help to generate greater awareness of the contributions made by Japanese Americans and all Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. We are also extremely grateful to Comcast NBCUniversal for their sponsorship of our contest."
Iwata, born in Okayama, Japan, immigrated to California at three years old, and is currently residing in Texas. She chose to feature the life of Fujimoto, 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran and father of her mentor (Donna Cole), in her video and reflected upon her own identity as a Japanese American as she seeks to carry on the soldiers' legacy by working as a bridge to connect her ties to both the US and Japan.
"We must continue to share the narratives of the Japanese American World War II veterans, not only because they are critical chapters in the American struggle to achieve freedom, but also because they serve as reminders for all Americans that individuals of minority skin color, descent, walks of life – are just as American," said Iwata. "In fact, the American World War II soldiers of Japanese decent, often referred to as Nisei, exhibited the American spirit in the truest sense, for their faith of American values was strong even when their own homeland questioned and doubted them."
Iwata, who has a passion for literature, Asian American history as well is molecular and cellular biology, is actively involved in numerous activities at her high school, including her school's nationally ranked marching band, winter guard program (captain), Science National Honor Society (president and editor-in-chief), National Spanish Honor Society (senior officer and editor-in-chief) and National Honor Society. Iwata hopes to meld her diverse interests for her future pursuits after graduation.