On Saturday, March 11, 2023, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2023 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.
34 contestants, representing the winners of the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio regional speech contests, gathered in person at Rice University to demonstrate their Japanese language proficiency through the reciting of poetry and the presentation of original haiku and speeches.
All students were celebrated for their determination, devotion, and tenacity as language learners with special participation gifts, including Nintendo hanafuda cards, a tenugui, and a pin badge in the shape of the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest logo. Moreover, participants were given the opportunity to sample spring wagashi sweets — Ichigo Daifuku and Sakura Mochi — made by Oyatsu Aoi from Kyoto.
Special recognition and prizes were given to the top three contestants in each competition division.
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: $750 for 1st Place, $500 for 2nd Place and $250 for 3rd Place.
Winner of the OPEN DIVISION received a Kinokuniya Maido Box and a special Kinokuniya anniversary tote bag filled with specially selected stationary items.
It is JASH’s hope that the Contest will continue to inspire and motivate students to excel.
Please meet the 2023 Contest winners and supporters:
POETRY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Kim DOMENC William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region |
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| 2nd Place | Sarah ADEYEMI Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 3rd Place | Jacob DUKE Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Zaina KHATTARY LASA H.S. Austin Region |
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| 2nd Place | Selina YE Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 3rd Place | Zafir KHAN William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region |
H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Aidan SISNEROS "Anyone Can Become a Cultural Bridge" Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Muyao JIANG "My Opinion to Chinese Education System" Bellaire H.S. Houston Region | |
| 3rd Place | Narah MONREAL "My Ikigai" Churchill H.S. San Antonio Region |
FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Katherine JEOUNG "My Journey Up Until Now" University of Texas at Austin Austin Region |
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| 2nd Place | Sofia DOMINGUEZ "Japanese and Men and Women and…" University of North Texas Dallas Region |
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| 3rd Place | Ryan PARK "My Experience Getting Bullied in Middle School" Rice University Houston Region |
OPEN DIVISION WINNER
| 1st Place | Marie ROMANO "A World Without Tea is Not My Cup of Tea" Austin Region |
| 2nd Place | Ella UNDERWOOD "A Foreigner's Experience Living in Japan" Austin Region |
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:
Photos by night.sky.creative