The 41st Speech Contest, which was the very first Speech Contest that was hosted solely by the WATJ, was a huge success! Despite of the short amount of time and limited resources given, a few of the WATJ members have risen to the occasion, found the sponsors, trained the students and have them video tape their speeches! Then some of us volunteered to judge them, found the venue to present their speeches, prepared the awards and the ceremony! It was utterly amazing! The award ceremony took place during the Japanese Language Festival organized by the Japan America Society of State of Washington, at Chief Sealth International High School, which was possible because Joshua Hansel sensei generously hosted the festival at his high school. This allowed us to have an audience and a magnificent auditorium! These are the winners of the contest. 1st place of each level presented their speech on stage, with Takayuki Masai sensei's MC.   Participants all received goods from Japan Foundation and Temple University Japan Campus, winners received plaques provided by the Japan America Society of State of Washington, gift certificates from the Kinokuniya book store, and a nice award certificate made by Hiromi Pingry sensei. The 1st place of 4th level received a round trip ticket to Japan supported by the IACE Travel and funded by Japan Business Association of Seattle, East Asia Center at UW and Hyogo Business and Culture Center!  Please check out some pictures from the link, enjoy their speeches from the links below!

I want to thank again for the following people again: Takayuki Masai sensei for preparing all the paperwork, ballot and slides, Hiromi Pingry sensei for designing and printing all the certificates and picking up the plaques, Joshua Hansel sensei for hosting the JLF, Haruka Fujiwara sensei for containing many of our sponsors and reminding me what to do! All the judges and teachers who taught their students wonderfully so we can watch their excellent speeches.  Michiko Yoshino and Yoshie Pillips from the Japan America Society of the State of Washington for their generous support!

WATJ President Chikako Misener

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