Los Angeles-area Japanese language students had their first opportunity to vie for a local “Japan Bowl®” title. They did so March 9 at the Four Points Sheraton LAX, inaugurating what promises to be an exciting annual contest between California schools.
The competition was modeled on Japan Bowl® in Washington, DC. Ten three-student teams – in two levels corresponding to 3rd or 4th year Japanese – competed in a preliminary and championship round. They answered both individual and team questions; scored points for knowledge on history, culture and current events; searched their minds for kanji; and won “maru” or got “batsu” from a panel celebrity judges based on their use of Japanese phrases.
The teams in this inaugural tournament came from:
Campbell High School, North Hollywood
Cupertino High School, Cupertino – Level III champions, Level IV 2nd Place
International Studies Learning Center, South Gate
Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach – Level III 3rd Place
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles – Level IV 3rd Place
Stevenson School, Pebble Beach – Level IV champions, Level III 2nd Place
Venice High School, Venice
The Level IV championship team, Stevenson School from Pebble Beach, is rewarded with a trip to Washington, DC to compete in the National Japan Bowl® April 11-12, where the winners earn a trip to Japan. Students from local Long Beach Polytechnic, not discouraged, declared their intention to compete at the National and are now fund-raising to make the trip themselves.
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC’s President and CEO, Ambassador John R. Malott, flew in to observe the inaugural tournament and stepped in to help break a tie in the championship round. Consul General Niimi spoke to the participants and audience and presented trophies to the winning teams.
Japan Bowl® competitions have engaged thousands of students around the U.S. since their beginning in Washington, DC in 1992. Japan Bowl® in Los Angeles was organized by the Japan America Society of Southern California.
The Consulate General was impressed by the enthusiasm of Japanese language students and their teachers. The Consulate participated in Japan Bowl® in several ways and took the opportunity to promote the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and to give away “Delicious Japan,” the latest edition of Niponica Magazine, to students, parents and friends.
Learn more about participating in Japan Bowl® at http://jas-socal.org/JapanBowl . |
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