It is through your generosity that we are able to continue this annual tradition! Fusion food is an example I like to use because we are not diminishing either two things that are being brought together, but rather appreciating both worlds together., Creative Expression: Spoken word performed to a video of family photos, Hobbies: Baking, swimming, running, biking, strength training, oratory, poetry, writing, Education: Claremont McKenna College, 2017. We spun the bowl again and placed it in front of the next person in line. Thanks for attending the 2021 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival; we enjoyed celebrating two weekends of programming from our dear friends who supported us for many years! I have been raised with the perspective that I can be who I want, as long as I never forget the hard work my family put in to earn me that freedom. B.A. So with that lens, it helps me to make sure that our programming is really equity focused and serving all communities, but especially under-resourced and marginalized communities, she said. She is sponsored by Nihonmachi Street Fair. Every April during the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, a new court is selected to represent the local Japanese American community for a year as cultural . SAN FRANCISCO The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program officially announces its 2021 candidates: Akiko Jacqueline Bates, Ashlyn Sumiko Hom and Kelly Noelani Eshima. The Queen Program committee is dedicated to continuing this long continued tradition of almost 50 years. Applications; Sponsor an Event; Ways to Give; Royalty; Media Inquiries; Hit enter to search or ESC to close . Along with the crowning of Queen Asaki Osato, the programs longtime chairman, Benh Koreyoshi Nakajo, was also honored. The cherry . Drennan who is sponsored by the Kogura Company in San Jose, is a descendant of Kohei Kogura, who opened the store in 1928. Drennan said having a multicultural background helps in planning weddings for a diverse range of clients. With differing customs and values, there were times when I felt torn between my biculturalism. COURTESY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL SAN FRANCISCO The 2022 candidates for Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were recently announced. Your email address will not be published. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program was held on April 9 at the AMC Dine-in Kabuki 8 in San Francisco Japantown. Katy Akiko Drennan Katy Akiko Drennan, 26, is a Yonsei from San Jose. 2022 Schedule - Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. Your email address will not be published. Schedules are subject to change. She is sponsored by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program Committee (hereto forth referred to as "Queen Program . The first princess, Sydney Matsuko Kasson, 24, from Sunnyvale, is sponsored by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. What makes up a Japanese American is the blending of traditions and customs brought on by migration and historical events we have experienced. The program, to be held April 11, will select the new queen and court on the first [], The five candidates who will compete for the title of Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were introduced to the public for the first time on Saturday, March 16 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Franciscos Japantown. Having a Japanese mother and a Japanese American father. The festival will be held on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets. She works as a wedding and event sales manager for Wedgewood Weddings at The Ranch at Silver Creek. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a major break in tradition as the in-person festival was canceled in 2020. BS psychology, BA music, minor in communications. Every school that I went to, I got more involved with different styles of dance, including even Bollywood, but I knew that I wanted to be able to create my own, both for assignments, but both are just my personal passion.. A leadership program for young women becoming or already involved in the Northern California Japanese-American community The Queen Program focuses on community service, leadership, and cultural education. Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto, 19, is a Shin-Nisei and Gosei from Pleasanton, Calif. She is majoring in molecular cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley. To be Japanese American is to be a complex, tangled web of history, memory, emotion, and resilience. As part of her creative expression, Drennan will perform the song Hallelujah on the ukulele to a video of family photos, including images of her familys store. Since 1968, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program has been dedicated to mentoring young women to develop leadership skills and strong community connections. See more of Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival on Facebook A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, she works at SEI (Strategic Energy Innovations) and is active in community organizations, including Japantown for Justice and Buddhist Church of Stockton. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program presented its 2022 queen candidates during its inaugural virtual preview press conference March 9 over Zoom. One of the five young women will be chosen on Saturday, April 9, at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, 1881 Post St. in San Francisco Japantown. Doors open at 5 p.m. Being Japanese American has allowed me to not only celebrate Japanese culture, but to love and appreciate all cultures. Thats what Im trying to do now, right here in this program as well.. a mixed plate of Japanese American news and culture, QUEEN CANDIDATES Clockwise from top left: Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto, Katy Akiko Drennan, Stephanie Misa Doi, Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert and Sydney Matsuko Kasson.courtesy of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program. She works as a development associate manager at Strategic Energy Innovations, an education and workforce development organization. I owe this connection to my heritage to my maternal grandparents, who have raised me alongside my parents. Being of Japanese descent in America means that I have the honor to be the voice of a new generation. Expect Blooming Date in 2022. SAN FRANCISCO The 2022 candidates for Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen were recently announced. The event included a group dance number as well as individual talent segments. The A fun comparison on who a Japanese American is Spam musubi. Okagesama de: I live on the aching backs of my ancestors their labor allows me the privilege to dream. So I think with hospitality, and what I specifically do with weddings, I think it does tie back to my culture, because I think it helps to know your culture to respect other cultures and give people what they want and need in hospitality.. We fused new and old ideas together to make our own culture. The evening celebrated the presentation of the Commendation of the Minister for Foreign [], The 2012 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program took place on April 14 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Franciscos Japantown. The candidates are: Katy Akiko Drennan, Stephanie Misa Doi, Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert, Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto and Sydney Matsuko Kasson. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a major break in tradition as the in-person festival was canceled in 2020. It is there that I feel whole., Creative Expression: Original dance choreographed to original song, Hobbies: Songwriting, singing, dancing (modern, jazz, ballet, tap), traveling, Education: Santa Clara University, 2018. Phone: 661-270-0771. Saturday, April 9th. I hope to continue growing my skills in the hospitality industry as a professional fun maker.. March 17, 2022 by TOMO HIRAI, Nichi Bei Weekly Leave a Comment The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program presented its 2022 queen candidates during its inaugural virtual preview press conference March 9 over Zoom. MA songwriting, Employment: Research operations associate at Flexport, Nikkei Rising/The Yon-Say Podcast (Tadaima! Doors open at 5 p.m. To me, to be Japanese American is to be utterly confused, alighted with curiosity, giddy with pride, enamored by a culture of the past divorced from its present and attempting to be reclaimed for a future, and transfixed on being my ancestors wildest dreams. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture in San Francisco's Japantown! Aside from taking part in the annual Obon, she made friends playing basketball and got her first job in high school working at Minato Japanese Restaurant in the ethnic enclave. The Nichi Bei Foundation is an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The new queen, Stephanie Misa Doi, 27, from Pleasanton, is sponsored by Sho Chiku Bai, Takara Sake USA. The program, emceed by KTVU-TV reporter Jana Katsuyama and KGO-TV reporter David Louie, had Lauren Kieva Matsuno, Rachel Mika Kawawaki, Maya Hernandez, Nicole Tachiki and Emiri Sakurai vying for [], With the 48th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival a month away, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program introduced its four candidates for 2015 queen March 14 at the Union Bank Community Room in San Franciscos Japantown. I will continue to spread love to those around me, and celebrate the unique and beautiful cultures that grow, thrive, and fight to be heard. in molecular cell biology. For her creative expression, Takemoto will do a karate kata called Rohai. She is sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. Every April, a new group of women and Queen are selected to become the cultural ambassadors of the Northern California Japanese American community. With her family based out of the San Jose area, Drennan said San Joses Japantown played a major role growing up. The candidates, who were introduced to the media in a virtual press conference on March 9 by Queen Program Chair Maya Hernandez and Queen Program Director of PR Yuki Nishimura, are: Hobbies: Cooking, basketball, traveling, watching Disney movies, Creative Expression: Performing ukulele to a video of family photos, Education: CSU Chico, BS in recreation, hospitality and parks management, emphasis in event and hotel management; minor in sustainability, Employment: Wedding and event sales manager, The Ranch @ Silver Creek, Wedgewood Weddings, Silicon Valley Japanese American Citizens League, JACL Kakehashi Project, youth ambassador 2018, American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) Student Chapter, Chico State, International Festival and Events Association Student Chapter, Chico State, Alzheimers Association; Walk to End Alzheimers team leader, Professional Aspirations or Goals in Life: I aspire to organize festivals for cultural and social groups to educate the community about multicultural traditions. And as I grew older, I wanted to continue learning how I could keep their legacies alive. 2018 Telly award winner, 24hr Kpop-TV, is the first 24-hour South Korean Popular Culture News and Entertainment Terrestrial Broadcast Network in the United S. The program, a highlight of the citys annual Cherry Blossom Festival, will take place April 9 at the AMC Kabuki 8. It is my responsibility to keep traditions alive and be an advocate for challenges we face in the AAPI community. I can still acknowledge theother aspects of my identity being multiracial, being American, being a woman while leaning into my Japanese heritage. Meet the 2021 Queen Program Night Tri-Chairs: Yuka Walton, Asaki Osato, and Maya Hernandez in their Committee Member Spotlight blog. a mixed plate of Japanese American news and culture, The AMC Kabuki 8 in San Franciscos Japantown was packed for the 2022 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program April 9, signaling a return to form for the annual program for young professional Japanese American women. You can reach the committee using the Contact Us Form. April 9-17, 2022 Welcome to the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, one of California's most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the largest Cherry Blossom Festival on the West coast. I navigated Japanese American spaces lightly, as I still did not know the Japanese language or culture as much as I thought I should. Kassons connections to the San Jose Japanese American community traces back to her grandmother, who was born at the Kuwabara Hospital, now known as the Issei Memorial Building. I continued on through high school, through college. These experiences are why I continue to pass my bowl around to the community., Sponsor: Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Hobbies: Mountain biking, road biking, creating digital landscape art, running, hiking, Peloton, volunteering, listening to music, being a cat mom, Education: Bachelor of Science degree in graphic communication, concentration in UX/UI design, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Employment: Visual/ UX designer on the Experience Design Team at Cisco, Creative Marketing Team at Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Professional Aspirations or Goals in Life: I aspire to be a program manager for a user experience team that designs for consumer-facing products that can make life a little easier for its users.. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a major break in tradition as the in-person festival was canceled in 2020. She said her specialization helped her appreciate and understand todays political climate and her own role in society, including on the job. 2022 Court from left to right: Queen Stephanie Misa Doi, First Princess Sydney Matsuko Kasson, Princess Katy Akiko Drennan, Princess Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert, Princess Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto; Photo Credit: Mark Shigenaga Mission Statement: Every April, a group of young women is selected to represent the J See more 1,289 peoplelike this 1,354 people follow this 2011 Cherry Blossom Court 1st Princess Tamiko Escalante, Princess Richelle Chiemi Farley, Queen Jeddie Narumi Kawahatsu, Princess Lauren Sachi Kawawaki (T), Princess Kaori Saito. She is sponsored by Takara Sake USA, Inc. Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert, 25, is a Yonsei from Pacifica, Calif. She attended Santa Clara University and holds degrees in psychology and music with a minor in communications. I am proud to be Japanese American, and am excited to use my voice, art, and volunteer platforms to make a difference., For more information, go to: http://www.nccbfqueenprogram.org/, Your email address will not be published. However, for a while, I did not know if I was qualified to claim my identity as Japanese American. For her creative expression, Kasson will share footage demonstrating her mountain biking hobby. This tradition has become one of the main events during the annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. For more information, eligibility requirements, and to find the online application, visit www.nccbfqueenprogram.org/apply or follow @nccbfqp on social media. If you won a prize, please contact Kiyomi at ktakeda@nccbf.org " 2022 Raffle Winners Remembering Shogo Yamada She introduced her to many Japanese American traditions, such as making manju and Obon. in psychology, Human Rights, Genocide, and Holocaust Sequence, Employment: SEI (Strategic Energy Innovations): Building Leaders for a Resilient World, fundraising and development associate manager, Kase Nikkei Community Scholarship Program (Kase Program) alum, Japanese American Citizens League, Stockton Chapter, Friends of the Children, San Francisco Chapter, Claremont McKenna College Office of Annual Giving, University of San Francisco Masters Swim Team, Professional Aspirations or Goals in life: Personally and professionally, I aspire to build and empower others to create resilient, sovereign, sustainable, and equitable communities.. The AMC Kabuki 8 in San Francisco's Japantown was packed for the 2022 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program April 9, signaling a return to form for the annual program for young professional Japanese American women. She will perform two abridged poems she wrote about her grandparents for her creative expression. Through a series of programs involved with the Japanese American community, starting with the Nikkei Community Internship in San Franciscos Japantown, Heckert connected with the Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages and is currently a co-host to its Yon-Say Podcast, for which she composed the music. As a multiracial American woman, my journey of understanding my identity has not been linear. Application deadline: 11:59pm, Sunday, October 30th, 2022. Welcome Cherry Blossom Alumnae (CBA) is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of former court members of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program, whose mission is to give back to the Japanese American community through volunteerism, education, cultural appreciation, leadership and financial support. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Program starts at 6 p.m. This combination makes me unique, yet I have always gravitated toward my Japanese ancestry. 2022 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program accepting applications now Watch on Applications for the 2022 program are due on Friday, November 5, 2021. The ambassadors assist various local community events and make goodwill trips to the programs long-standing connections in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Japan. I started dance lessons when I was three years old. Takemoto hopes to contribute a Shin-Nisei perspective to the program. I learned about art, music, respect, history, and the love and pride of both communities. Its really just a place that brings me closer to my community, and its a really big part of my life, she said. Doors open at 5 p.m. Nor did I feel that I looked the part. Location Time Event; George Yamasaki Jr. . Rachel . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Rafu Shimpo is a bilingual Japanese-English language newspaper based in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California. Being Japanese American is simply that. All are welcome to join in the festivities as we celebrate Japanese and Japanese American culture with you, live and in Person again! Email: lviacherryfestival@yahoo.com . Leona Valley Cherry Parade and Festival - It is usually on the first Saturday in June; (eg, June 2, 2018) 8367 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Leona Valley, CA. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Aside from her job, she volunteers at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose as part of their marketing team. Welcome to the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, one of California's most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the largest Cherry Blossom Festival on the West coast. Checks should be made payable to Sakura Matsuri, Inc. and reference Queen Program Night Tickets.. Since 1968, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program has been dedicated to mentoring young women through community service, leadership, and cultural education. Heckert, who is half Japanese on her mothers side, said her family has roots in San Franciscos Japantown. I wrote the promo ad that aired on KPOP-TV's broadcast and a blog piece for the KPOP-TV website about the program, emphasize its importance in empowering Japanese We are proud to have served the Japanese American community from our Little Tokyo office in Downtown Los Angeles since 1903. Anticipated graduation year: 2024, Japanese Department and Language Coach-Volunteer Health Interpreters Organization, UC Berkeley, Trained emergency medical technician Disaster Health Volunteers Alameda County, Volunteer teachers assistant Nihongo Hoshuko San Jose Ko (San Jose Japanese Language School), Student Council member Nihongo Hoshuko San Jose Ko, Professional Aspiration or Goals in Life: I aspire to pursue a career in medicine focusing on emergency medicine or infectious diseases. Program Night On Queen Program Night, candidates showcase their speech, interview, and creative expression, as judges select them to represent the community. 2022 Cherry Blossom Queen Program Night: Paper Tree: 11:00 - 5:00: Origami Exhibit: National Japanese American Historical Society: Thank you so much to everyone for supporting our festival by purchasing tickets and thank you also to our wonderful sponsors and donors. She works as a visual/user experience designer at Cisco. As I continue to meet Japanese American community members, I have come to realize that there is no right way to be Japanese American. Nakano-Matsumoto Running for Re-election to School Board, Report: Japan Career Home Run Leader Oh Hospitalized, Bruin Spirit Celebrated at APA Gala; Cronin, Terasaki Honored, Political Mailer Claims Affirmative Action Harmful to Asian Americans, 3 Recent Fatalities Bring Takata Air Bag Death Toll to 32, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. There was a difference in their upbringing and then also the values and traditions that they passed down to me, she said. Nakano-Matsumoto Running for Re-election to School Board, Report: Japan Career Home Run Leader Oh Hospitalized, Bruin Spirit Celebrated at APA Gala; Cronin, Terasaki Honored, Political Mailer Claims Affirmative Action Harmful to Asian Americans, 3 Recent Fatalities Bring Takata Air Bag Death Toll to 32, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program presented its 2022 queen candidates during its inaugural virtual preview press conference March 9 over Zoom. Program starts at 6 p.m. As a Yonsei and Gosei, I have the ability to create a life and a name for myself in a world that wouldnt necessarily accept me years ago. Once done, we set the bowl on the mat and wiped it clean with a cloth. Welcome Congratulations to the 2022 Court! Revisit the 2017 Queen Program Candidates press conference in this blog post. This past weekend the annual Queen Program Night was held at the AMC Kabuki Theater in San Francisco's Japantown. Our 54th annual Festival's theme is: Kizuna - Strength through Bonds of Community and Friendship. She works as a research operations associate at Flexport. The host instructed us to spin the bowl twice with our right hand before bringing it to our mouth. The program, a highlight of the city's annual Cherry Blossom Festival, will take place April 9 at the AMC Kabuki 8. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan bestowed on Nakajo a commendation for his years []. Growing up, I immersed myself in cultural opportunities, such as dancing hula for Halau Na Wai Ola, and volunteering for the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. It is in community, in the company of others of Japanese descent, that I find clarity, grace, familiarity, and hope. 2022 Queen Program applications are now open! It is now the longest running Japanese American daily newspaper in the United States. The Nichi Bei Foundation is an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Head Copywriter KPOP-TV partnered with The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program Organization to inform Bay Area Japanese-American women about the benefits of participating in the program. 2012 Court. I would like to blend my passions by serving the Asian American community through healthcare.. Established in 1903, the Rafu Shimpo has survived two world wars, a depression, and the forced evacuation of our entire community. We are proud to have served the Japanese American community from our Little Tokyo office in Downtown Los Angeles since 1903. Both encouraged me to be brave, creative, and authentically myself. - be of at least 50% Japanese ancestry. The 2022 court is, from left: Princess Katy Akiko Drennan, Princess Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert, Queen Stephanie Misa Doi, First Princess Sydney Matsuko Kasson, and Princess Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto. Though they had been forced to assimilate throughout their lives, they still kept a few Japanese traditions alive. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a major break in tradition as the in-person festival was canceled in 2020. Being involved in the Japanese American community, be it through schooling or volunteering, has allowed me to speak with my mother and her family. Learn how your comment data is processed. Michiko Marie Maggi, Jamie Sachiko Martyn, Tiffany Sieu Okimura, Kimberly Miya Sasaki and Kelly Yuka Walton will [], Dozens of community members associated with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival gathered at the official residence of Consul General of Japan in San Francisco Hiroshi Inomata on the evening of May 30 to honor the work of the festivals General Committee. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program was held on April 9 at the AMC Dine-in Kabuki 8 in San Francisco Japantown. My mothers ancestors lived in the temples of Hiroshima, while my fathers ancestors worked in the fields of Watsonville. The 2022 court is, from left: Princess Katy Akiko Drennan, Princess Michelle Chieko Catherine Heckert, Queen Stephanie Misa Doi, First Princess Sydney Matsuko Kasson, and Princess Ashleigh Suzu Takemoto. Im an artist and a designer at heart, and I think something so important about spreading the message about our history and big important things, is through storytelling, Kasson said. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 9-10 and April 16-17, 2022. Admission is free. Every April, a new group of women and Queen are selected to become the cultural ambassadors of the Northern California Japanese American community. She hopes to pursue a career in emergency medicine or infectious diseases. The queen program will be held April 9 at the AMC Kabuki 8 at 1881 Post St. (at Fillmore) in San Franciscos Japantown. Doi attended Claremont McKenna College and has a degree in psychology with a human rights, genocide and Holocaust sequence. COURTESY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL. I can enjoy Japanese novels and films, all with a greater understanding of the depth and beauty of Japans culture. We are American and we are Japanese. Established in 1903, the Rafu Shimpo has survived two world wars, a depression, and the forced evacuation of our entire community. Id like to welcome (post-war immigrants from Japan), as well as other people who have struggled with their identity, just to say that Japantown can be their home too..
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