On Saturday, March 8, 2025, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2025 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.
35 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.
This year’s contest’s theme was the 2025 Osaka Expo, and following words of encouragement from Consul General Zentaro Naganuma, participants showed how they channeled the Osaka spirit of creativity, confidence, and innovation through their speeches and presentations.
All contestants walked away with participation gifts, including official Osaka Expo goods, baseball stress balls courtesy of Daikin Comfort Technologies North America Inc., and Glico brand treats courtesy of Daido Market. The audience was also given opportunities to win a 2025 World Expo stuffed mascot through the #EdamameChamp Chopstick Challenge and sample delicious cream puffs courtesy of Beard Papa’s Katy.
Winners of the POETRY DIVISION received Visa gift certificates courtesy of the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT) and gift certificates courtesy of Kinokuniya Books.
Winners of the HAIKU DIVISION received Osaka Expo goodie bags courtesy of the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH) and gift certificates courtesy of Kinokuniya Books.
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 and gift certificates courtesy of Kinokuniya Books.
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 and gift certificates courtesy of Kinokuniya Books.
Winners of the OPEN DIVISION received an XBox Series S for 1st Place and gift certificates courtesy of Kinokuniya Books for 2nd and 3rd Place.
It is JASH’s hope that the Contest will continue to inspire and motivate students to excel in their Japanese studies.
Please meet the 2025 Contest winners and supporters:
POETRY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Eliana ALEMAYEHU LASA H.S. Austin Region |
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| 2nd Place | William COOK Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 3rd Place | Henry GRAY Richardson H.S. Dallas Region |
HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Aaliyah ROMERO 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 | Aayan MITHANI Richardson H.S. Dallas Region |
H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Wai AUNG "Light of Hope" MacArthur H.S. San Antonio Region |
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| 2nd Place | Jacob DUKE "What I Learned From an Embarrassing Mistake" Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region | |
| 3rd Place | Alexander FLORES "The Event that had a Big Influence on Me" Bellaire H.S. Houston Region |
FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Gabriel CRUZ "The Dialect and I" University of Texas at Austin Austin Region |
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| 2nd Place | Liam DEWBERRY "The Benefits and Enjoyment of Language Learning" Dallas College Dallas Region |
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| 3rd Place | Vin EAMBORIBOON "V1 Speed" University of North Texas Dallas Region |
OPEN DIVISION WINNERS
| 1st Place | Rika FUKUDA "My Life Goal as a Japanese-American" Houston Region |
| 2nd Place | Michael BENNETT "Don't Limit the Minds of Children" Austin Region |
| 3rd Place | Ryotaro EKHAESE "Thoughts on Equality" Houston Region |
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:
Photos by night.sky.creative