3) Greetings 2011

Good Afternoon everybody!

Welcome to the 14th Annual San Diego Region Japanese Speech Contest! お元気ですか！^_^

My name is Fumiko Tachibana. I am the director of the San Diego Japanese Speech Contest. This contest has been designed to encourage students who study the Japanese language in San Diego.

This event is independent from any organizations with the exception of the grant awarded by the Former Japan–US Center which hosted this event from 1996 until 2007. We have been fortunate to hold this special event since then till this year.

I'd like to thank the most wonderful group of judges who are willing to sacrifice their time for this event: Mr. Hirose from the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Dr. Ushida from School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at UCSD, and prof. Shoji from Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles.

I'd like to thank the local Japanese teachers who have sent their students to this contest.

I’d like to thank those volunteers who are here today to help us.

Most importantly, I’d like to thank you, the contestants, for participating. You are the bravest. I know that this was a lot of work but I am confident that you are happy you have come this far.

I’d like to like to thank the following organizations for their generous donations.

Cheng & Tsui, JPT America, San Francisco, SONY of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego - Japan Marketing Services, Ito Insurance, San Diego, IACE TRAVEL, San Diego Office, Classique Awards, Tachibana Language Center and the Speech Contest Committee 2011.

Thank you, again, for the generous donations awarded to the contestants.

Last but not least, today’s Master of Ceremony is Miss Holly Sinclair. She is the third place winner of our 2005 competition. Also today’s photographer is Mr. Lyle Hall, a photography major from UCSD.

Now it’s about time to start! みなさんがんばってください！

Fumiko Tachibana

President

San Diego Japanese Speech Contest