Five Japanese-language students at Chapel Hill High School distinguished themselves at the 20th North Carolina Japanese Language Essay Contest For High School Students, held annually in the spring.
Junior Carolyn Shi finished in first place in the Level 3 competition, while juniors Mia Moto and Naree Ma finished in second and third place respectively. All three students are enrolled in the school’s Japanese III Honors course.
In the “Heritage” competition—which gives students who speak Japanese at home a chance to demonstrate their language skills—junior Yuuko Yamamoto and freshman Kyle Agano finished in second and third places respectively.
“[The students] have clear visions in their essays and speeches,” Japanese teacher Yoshimi Yamagata Aoyagi said. “It is very hard to express visions or opinions using a second language; however, they are doing very well.”
Moto said that her experience learning Japanese has been enjoyable and she is glad to expand her knowledge in the subject.
“Coming in second felt so good,” she said.
Ma, too, expressed satisfaction with her high placing.
“I feel honored and acknowledged. It felt good to compete because it was my chance to raise awareness,” Ma said.
