The 2025 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at the University of St. Thomas on February 8, 2025.
Twenty-five (25) contestants gathered to demonstrate their Japanese skills in the areas of (i) POETRY RECITATION, (ii) HAIKU, (iii) FREE SPEECH AURORA, and (iv) FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.
5 students competed in beginner level Poetry Recitation division.
3 students competed in the lower intermediate Haiku Presentation division.
14 students competed in the upper intermediate Free Speech High School division.
3 students competed in the advanced Free Speech University division.
Original speeches highlighted the love of Pokemon, Japanese fashion and even a Japan earthquake experience. NIIMI Nankichi’s poem “Ashita” was recited, original haikus were presented and free speeches were given covering topics ranging from “Pokémon” and Dazai Osamu to Japanese fashion and calligraphy.
"Otsukaresama" to all contest participants! We congratulate you for your hard work and commitment to learning Japanese.
Meet the winners of the 2025 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest!
Winners are listed below by category.
Those placing in the top two in each division will move on to compete in the TEXAS STATE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SPEECH CONTEST, which will be held at Rice University on March 8, 2025.
DIVISION 1 - POETRY
1. Arjun SUKHRANI – 9th, William P. Clements High School (not pictured)
2. Emma SUWAN – 8th, Garland McMeans Junior High School
3. Jewel UBOM – 9th, William P. Clements High School
DIVISION 2 - HAIKU
1. Wendy WANG – 11th, William P. Clements High School
2. Shayla PACHECO – 10th, Bellaire High School
3. Connie TAM – 11th, Morton Ranch High School
DIVISION 3 - FREE SPEECH HIGH SCHOOL AURORA
1. Dylan TING – Melancholic Expression – 11th, William P. Clements High School (not pictured)
2. Alexander Flores – The Event That Had a Big Influence on Me – 12th, Bellaire High School
3. Elizabeth HARTE – Learning Japanese Calligraphy – 12th, The Woodlands High School
DIVISION 4 - FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
1. Alexander WILSON – Like a Magikarp – Sophomore, Texas A&M University
2. Brennan FIGGINS – Success Through Effort – Freshman, Texas A&M University
3. Stefanie DAVIS – The Fish – Senior, Texas A&M University
Contest winners will receive the following prizes:
DIVISIONS I & II: POETRY and HAIKU (Beginner & Intermediate)
1st place: $25 gift card & a Glico Running Man T-shirt
2nd Place: $15 gift card
3rd Place: $10 gift card
DIVISIONS III & IV: FREE SPEECH High School and University
1st place: $50 gift card & a Glico Running Man T-shirt
2nd Place: $25 gift card
3rd Place: $15 gift card
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JUDGES:
Tomoko INOUE - JTAT
Yuko KUDO - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program
Kei KUON - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program
Hiromi RAYMER - Volunteer, JASH
Hiroko SATO - Board Member, JASH
Hiromi TAKAYAMA - Instructor, Rice University
Sho WATANABE - Volunteer, JASH
Yuko YAMADA - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program
Masato YAMAMURA - Consul, Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPATING JAPANESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN HOUSTON:
Tomoko INOUE
Adrian MCINTOSH
Yoshimi SHERIDAN
Satoko SHOU
Yuki WAUGH