On June 13, Stony Brook University’s Japan Center held the Virtual 15th Annual Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Program sponsored and participated in by Canon USA. The virtual essay competition awarded seven students from across the New York metropolitan area who showcased awareness and understanding of Japanese culture in relation to their views and future goals.
There were 167 essays submitted by students from high school to college undergraduates, each focusing on one or more aspects of Japan including art, culture, tradition, history and society, which connected to their personal experiences, views, or future goals. Selected by a committee of judges, the seven winners received awards including a Canon EOS or PowerShot camera. Canon USA President and Chief Executive Officer Kazuto Ogawa spoke at the virtual awards ceremony and congratulated the winners.
The winners are:
High School Division Winners:
- First Place winner: Nathaniel Goodyear,Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
- Second Place winner: Rebecca L. Smith,The Brearley School
- Third Place winner:Jenny Huang, Stuyvesant High School
College Division Winner:
- First Place winner: Sailesh Srinivas, Stony Brook University
Uchida Memorial Award:
- Lynca Saito,Stuyvesant High School
Special A Award:
- Hannah Mirando, Cornell University
Special B Award:
- Kelly Su, Brooklyn Technical High School
The first Japan Center Essay Competition, organized by Stony Brook University in New York and supported by Canon U.S.A., was held during the 2005-2006 school year. Since its inaugural year, there have been 3,076 submissions from 243 schools. This educational program can promote inclusion and encourage people to appreciate different cultures and ideas.
Each of the winning essays can be found on the Japan Center’s website.
