Results of the 48th Annual Japanese Speech Contest for Elementary School Students
2020/3/4
On Sunday, March 1, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, the Japanese American Association of Northern California (Hokka Nichi Bei Kai), and the Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association, co-organized the 48th Japanese Speech Contest for Elementary School Students at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California.
30 elementary school students participated in this year’s contest, and demonstrated their achievement of Japanese language studies and preparation for this contest. Approximately 160 audience members, including students’ family, friends, and teachers, also attended in support of the contestants.
The Consulate would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all of this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
30 elementary school students participated in this year’s contest, and demonstrated their achievement of Japanese language studies and preparation for this contest. Approximately 160 audience members, including students’ family, friends, and teachers, also attended in support of the contestants.
The Consulate would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all of this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
Result: Group A (1st- 3rd Grade)
Group photo with Category 1 participants
Group photo with Category 2 participants
| Category 1 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is not spoken) | |
| 1st Place: | Ms. Clairbelle Senon Shiino (American International Montessori School) “My Hobby” |
| 2nd Place: | Ms. Alani Jeansuwan Sanith (Pine Japanese Language Afterschool) “Elephant in Thailand” |
| 3rd Place: | Mr. Aleph Pong (San Jose Betsuin Japanese Language School) “Pokemon Trips in Japan” |
| Category 2 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is spoken) | |
| 1st Place: | Ms. Mion Shimokawa Collins (American International Montessori School) “Taiko (Japanese Drum)” |
| 2nd Place: | Ms. Sara Schoeller (Pine Japanese Language Afterschool) “Grandma and the Contest” |
| 3rd Place: | Ms. Amelie Phipps (Sakura Gakuen) “The Magic of Fresh Pasta” |
| Special Recognition: | Mr. Haruki Ling (Sakura Gakuen) “Going for Ippon” |
| Special Recognition: | Ms. Momoka Arakawa (Sakura Gakuen) “My Little Sister” |
Result: Group B (4th Grade and above)
Group photo with Category 3 participants
Group photo with Category 4 participants
| Category 3 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is not spoken) | |
| 1st Place: | Mr. Leo B. Thomson (Clarendon JBBP Elementary School) “My Dog” |
| 2nd Place: | Mr. Selim H. Richards (Clarendon JBBP Elementary School) “The Person I Respect” |
| 3rd Place: | Ms. Mila M. Schuldt (Rosa Parks JBBP Elementary School) “Architecture” |
| Special Recognition: | Mr. Masao Li (Sakura Gakuen) “New Year in Japan” |
| Special Recognition: | Ms. Julie Top (Little Angels Nihongo Class) “Helping Ikebana” |
| Category 4 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is spoken) | |
| 1st Place: | Ms. Ayaka Kikuchi (Sakura Gakuen) “My Guinea Pigs, Stella and Nella” |
| 2nd Place: | Mr. Evan Yuzo Falconer (American International Montessori School) “Global Warming” |
| 3rd Place: | Mr. Milo Keita Bain (Clarendon JBBP Elementary School) “What It Takes to Speak: My Japanese and English Speech Development Story” |
| Special Recognition: | Ms. Mia Greenberg (San Mateo Nippon Gakuyen) “Is Gaming Harmful/Beneficial to Children?” |
| Special Recognition: | Ms. Sayuri Ling (Sakura Gakuen) “It is Okay to Slurp!” |
Judges
A contestant delivers his speech during the contest
Judges’ comments by Deputy Consul General Iryu
Mr. Kazuhiro Iryu
Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Mr. Kenichi Tsuji
Executive Director, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Dr. Tomoko Kozasa
College Representative, California Association of Japanese Language Teachers
Ms. Yu Higashisawa
Language Program Coordinator, Japan Society of Northern California
Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Mr. Kenichi Tsuji
Executive Director, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Dr. Tomoko Kozasa
College Representative, California Association of Japanese Language Teachers
Ms. Yu Higashisawa
Language Program Coordinator, Japan Society of Northern California
