IMPACT Showcase

インパクト展

This website showcases the work of Japanese language students of the Salinas Union High School District and Monterey High School. Through their "IMPACT Project," students took learning into their own hands and explored their individual passions for the Japanese language and culture. These projects are a shining reflection of the impact that Japanese has had on their lives, as well as the impact that they are capable of making through their hard work and perseverance. The work you see on this website is proof that nothing can stop their learning, even during these unprecedented times.

On May 26th, 2020, we held a YouTube Premiere event, "IMPACT Showcase: A Celebration of Learning" via our SUHSD Japanese Youtube channel. Viewers from all around the world, including Japan, joined us to celebrate our students' hard work and resilience. Check out the video below to see the event, and don't forget to subscribe to our the SUHSD Japanese YouTube Channel!

生徒の声 Student Voices

Emmanuel Manalac

Alisal High School

"My project is about the size, cost, and various other differences Japanese apartments have compared to American apartments. I aimed to show people the differences of the two cultures' daily life."

Alicia Guillen

Everett Alvarez High School

"I wrote about my mom’s immigration story from Mexico to the US. It was nice to hear my mom’s story because she doesn’t really talk about herself. I think that family is really important."

Judeann Lapena

Monterey High School

"For my topic, I focused on ways to stay healthy during this crisis. I enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone, trying out all the ideas I had, and putting something fun together to inspire people to stay healthy."

Richard Tambo

North Salinas High School

"I chose to research the history of the Japanese Language. During my research, there was so much history that I didn't know where to begin at first. I hope that others can gain knowledge on how unique and interesting the history of the language is."

Alondra Rodriguez

Rancho San Juan High School

"I chose the topic of esports in Japan. During this project I learned that professional esports bring people to work as a team. I want to correctly inform people about esports so it gets the respect and status it deserves."

Gabriel Guzman

Salinas High School

"In the process of making my story, I especially enjoyed drawing each of the pictures. I hope my story reassures those going through the same level of stress as I am through this trying time that we aren't as doomed as we may think we are."

High School Japanese Teachers of monterey county

Cameron Chien, Yo Azama (District Lead Instructional Coach), Hiroko Ikeda, Erica Hashiba, Michelle Lupisan, Clayton Frederick, Minako Kamimura, Mio Nishimura, Courtney Roe, and Tomoki Kuwana (not pictured)

#DREAMTEAM

Collaborative IMPACT: うちで踊ろう

"Dancing on the Inside" Music Video

The song うちで踊ろう "Dancing on the Inside" is a hit song created by Japanese singer Gen Hoshino since the stay-at-home orders began. This is a version by high school Japanese students and teachers at Alisal High, Everett Alvarez High, Monterey High, North Salinas High, Rancho San Juan High School, and Salinas High. We hope that this video will inspire people that even during this time apart, we can indeed come together as a team and create something special. Big arigato to everyone who participated!!