On Saturday, March 12, 2022, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2022 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.
36 contestants, representing the winners of the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio regional speech contests, gathered on Zoom to demonstrate their Japanese language proficiency through the reciting of poetry and the presentation of original haiku and speeches.
The event, which was shared via livestream on the JASH YouTube channel, featured a creative display of student determination, devotion, and tenacity as language learners. We congratulate all contestants.
Special recognition was given to the top three contestants in each competition division. Winners from each division were gifted with prizes generously donated by our sponsors.
Winners of the POETRY DIVISION received Amazon gift certificates courtesy of the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT)
Winners of the HAIKU DIVISION received Kinokuniya gift certificates courtesy of the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH).
Winners of the H.S. FREE SPEECH AURORA DIVISION received scholarships from the Japanese Association of Greater Houston (JAGH): $500 for 1st Place, $300 for 2nd Place and $200 for 3rd Place.
Winners of the COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FREE SPEECH DIVISION received scholarships from JASH: $600 for 1st Place, $400 for 2nd Place and $200 for 3rd Place.
Winner of the OPEN DIVISION received a foundation pen, “Traveler’s notebook” courtesy of Kinokuniya Bookstore and two (2) tickets to the 2022 JASH Gala.
POETRY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Joshua ZUNIGA Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Qianyue LUO William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region |
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| 3rd Place | Jerry ZHANG William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region |
HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Narah MONREAL Churchill H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Rebecca SCARAMUZZI LASA H.S. Austin Region |
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| 3rd Place | Ghania EWELIKE Richardson H.S. Dallas Region |
H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Adanuri ANAYIAM "The Courage To Face Myself" L.V. Berkner H.S. Dallas Region |
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| 2nd Place | Elianna MOORE "How to Fold Peace" Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region | |
| 3rd Place | Camille KOUTRAS "Life-Changing Fashion" Ronald Reagan H.S. San Antonio Region |
FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Ella BARTON "My Superpower: Synesthesia" University of Texas at Austin Austin Region |
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| 2nd Place | James DALTON "Wordplay" University of Texas at Austin Austin Region |
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| 3rd Place | Jeilene FABI "My Internship Experience" University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Region |
OPEN DIVISION WINNER
| 1st Place | Alisa NORO "Arch Enemy: Ise-ben" College Park H.S. Houston Region |
JTAT INSPIRATION AWARD
In addition, the 2022 Contest saw the introduction of a new award - the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas INSPIRATION AWARD.
"Inspiration is the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions to a high level."
This newly created award celebrates Texas Japanese language learners whose efforts inspire and motivate others to excel in their own pursuits in the study of Japanese.
The recipient of the inaugural JTAT Inspiration Award went to Shaina Albert for her perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome challenges, and most importantly, for serving as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others.
Thank you, Albert-san for inspiring us all with your dedication to learning Japanese.
| Inspiration Award |
Shaina ALBERT "The Magic of Writing" Richardson H.S. Dallas Region |
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:
