The 25th Colorado Japanese Speech Contest
The annual Japanese Speech Contest was held at the Colorado Convention Center, November 5th 2011. Participants were cheered on by a crowd of nearly 100 family members, friends, classmates and teachers who filled the room.
Two elementary groups (from Dunn Elementary School and the Japanese Academy of the Rockies) presented noncompetitive creative skits. Their skits were amusing, with heartwarming stories.
Three groups from the high school level also presented competitive creative skits. Students from ten universities presented speeches.
Participants prepared and researched very well. This Japanese speech contest encourages students who are studying Japanese to deepen their interests in Japan, Japanese culture and language. It also makes clear the level of their achievement. It is motivating for students to listen to other students’ speeches. Such listening can spur them on. They can see themselves, a year from now, in the more advanced students’ speeches. Judges gave them feedback, pointing out the students’ good points and areas needing improvement. This Speech Contest gives teachers feedback and ideas for advancement, too.
Skit, Elementary School
Dunn Elementary School
Dunn Elementary School
Japanese Academy of the Rockies
Winners:
Skit, High School
1. Kelly Walsh High School: A
2. Kelly Walsh High School: B
Speech presentations — CollegeⅡ
1. Cameron, University of Colorado
2. Benjamin, Pikes Peak Community College
3. Mi-Hwan, Pikes Peak Community College
4. Kimberly, Colorado State University
5. Maria-Eugenia, Front Range CC
Speech Presentations — CollegeⅢ
1. Matt, University of Colorado at COS
2. David, Colorado State University
Speech presentations — CollegeⅣ
1. Julie, Colorado State University
Speech presentations — CollegeⅤ
1. Amber, Colorado State University
Special Award
Ilana, Colorado State University
We would like to thank Hiromoto Oyama, Deputy Consul General of Japan at Denver; Takeko Sakakura, Steering Committee Member and teacher at the Japanese Academy of the Rockies; and Shinobu Yoshitomi, President of the Japan America Society of Colorado for their services as judges.
Generous support was offered by: the Consulate General of Japan at Denver; the Japan Foundation Los Angeles; JTB; the Colorado State University Asian Studies Board and Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures; the Smoky Hill High School Japanese Club; and the Pacific Mercantile Company. We couldn’t have succeeded without their help. Thank you, again.
Lastly, we are pleased to report that a total of $403.40 was donated to the Japan Relief Fund on the speech contest day. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to donors for their generous contributions.Thank you, again.
