Local Students Excel at the 2021 High School Japanese Speech Contest
PITTSBURGH, PA – The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania (JASP) and the University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies Center jointly hosted the 24th Annual High School Japanese Speech Contest. The contest was held online the week of March 1, and the awards ceremony was broadcast to YouTube on Friday, March 12.
This year, 37 students from Western PA competed virtually in spite of the difficulties of the last school year. Japanese language students of all levels and students who are involved in Japan-related cultural activities participated in one of four speech levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and advanced plus) or the poster contest. Participating schools were Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, Shaler Area High School, and Upper St. Clair High School. Students from Shaler Area Middle School submitted artwork for a vote during the awards ceremony.
Margaret Rea from Shaler Area High School won the grand prize in Advanced level. Margaret received an iPad as the grand prize donated by the Consulate General of Japan in New York. First place in the Advanced category was tied between Zoe Babbit, Jaime Eichmiller, and Abby Sawa, all from Shaler Area High School. First place in the Intermediate category went to Stephanie Lu from Upper St. Clair High School. The first place in the Beginner category went to Elise Bertolet from Pittsburgh Allderdice High School. Finally, first place in the Poster competition went to Richard Alex Carlson from Upper St. Clair High School.
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Elliott Group, Perryman Company, Temple University Japan Campus, Japan Foundation Los Angeles, the Japanese Consulate General of New York, University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center, the Japan Iron & Steel Federation and Mitsubishi Endowments at the University of Pittsburgh, and all participating schools, students, and volunteers.
About The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania:
Established in 1986, The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania is an association of individuals, corporations and organizations that seek to promote local understanding of and mutually beneficial participation in the changing US-Japan relationship. The Society provides informative, innovative programming in order to encourage a better understanding of the business, cultural, social, educational and political practices and customs of Japan and the United States. More can be learned about the JASP at our website: http://japansocietypa.org/