On Saturday, March 9, 2024, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2024 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.
33 contestants, representing the winners of the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio regional speech contests, gathered at Rice University to demonstrate their Japanese language proficiency through the reciting of poetry and the presentation of original haiku and speeches.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s event, students were encouraged to channel the spirit of Godzilla and display their determination, devotion, and tenacity as language learners. Leading Godzilla Expert Dr. Bill Tsutsui even took the time to remind students:
There is no greater investment you can make in yourself or in the future of a free and prosperous world than learning a language like Japanese and building bridges of friendship and understanding and respect linking Houston and Texas and the United States with Japan and the larger world.
All contestants walked away with participation gifts, including the newly released translation of the original Godzilla novels courtesy of Japan Foundation and treats courtesy of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. The audience was also given opportunities to win Godzilla-themed prizes through trivia, shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and the mere completion of a survey!
Special recognition and prizes were presented by Consul General Hirofumi Murbayashi to the top three contestants in each competition division.
Winners of the POETRY DIVISION received Visa 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: $1,000 for 1st Place, $500 for 2nd Place and $250 for 3rd Place.
Winner of the OPEN DIVISION received Hulu gift cards, Amazon gifts from JASH and special propeller paper weights from All Nippon Airways (ANA).
It is JASH’s hope that the Contest will continue to inspire and motivate students to excel in their Japanese studies.
Please meet the 2024 Contest winners and supporters:
POETRY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Onyoo JUNG Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Wendy WANG Clements H.S. Houston Region |
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| 3rd Place | Andres BASABE LASA H.S. Austin Region |
HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Sarah ADEYEMI Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Caleb GIDDINGS Richardson H.S. Dallas Region |
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| 3rd Place | Estrella DIAZ-MENDOZA LASA H.S. Austin Region |
H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Lauren TIPPIN "My Experience in Japan" Boerne H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Ian BARKER "The Effectiveness of Propaganda in Film" Richardson H.S. Dallas Region | |
| 3rd Place | Zafir KHAN "Life Adventures Learned from the World of 'One Piece'" Clements H.S. Houston Region |
FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Bryson JUN "Japanese and Me" Rice University Houston Region |
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| 2nd Place | Navtej DHARMAPURI THIRUMALA "How We Should Approach Different Cultures" University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Region |
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| 3rd Place | Isabella TAN "Something I Want to Do for Life" University of North Texas Dallas Region |
OPEN DIVISION WINNER
| 1st Place | Andrew HAYNES "Panic in Meiji-Jingu" Houston Region |
| 2nd Place | Celeste TOLEDO-DAVALOS "The Sweetest Reward" San Antonio Region |
| 3rd Place | Mae READY "What We Can Do Together" Austin Region |
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:
Photos by night.sky.creative