The High School Japanese Speech Contest is an opportunity for students in the region to show off their studies, meet other learners, and participate in cultural activities. Each year students research the theme and preparing their speech or presentation. Japanese language learners compete in the appropriate speech level, and new and non-language students compete in the English poster contest. Middle school language learners submit art pieces related to the theme for an online vote.  While students are waiting, they participate in a cultural fair staffed by JASP volunteers and other local organizations providing Japanese activities and college information. After lunch, there is a presentation on an aspect of Japanese culture, and prizes are awarded by a representative from the Consulate of Japan in New York.

If you are an individual student or a teacher who is interested in participating, and you live within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, please contact the Educational Outreach Coordinator, Katsuko Shellhammer, for more information. Registration is also available on the event page.

2026 Themes

Beginner Level: Self-Introduction
All Other Levels:  祭り (Festivals)

 2026 Sponsors

Ebara Elliott Energy
Temple University Japan Campus
Consulate General of Japan in New York

The Japan Foundation of Los Angeles

2026 Winners

Poster Session:

First Place: Vedant Naik (11th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Second Place: Annalee Sparico (12th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Third Place: Nuoxi Liang (12th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Beginner Level:

First Place: Tyler Messina (9th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Second Place: Freja Eisenacher (11th Grade, Commonwealth Charter Academy)

Third Place: Gabe Gracie (10th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Intermediate Level:

First Place: Lana Strojny (12th Grade, Commonwealth Charter Academy)

Second Place: Joshua Joscak (10th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place: Bailey Rhoads (11th Grade, Commonwealth Charter Academy)

Advanced Level:

First Place: Lauren Lowe (11th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Second Place: Ella-Jay Kopelic (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place: Abigail Maher (11th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Advanced Plus Level:
Grand Prize Winner: Nico Zanotelli (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Second Place: Alex Ai (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place: Daniel Tutek (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Heritage Level: 

First Place: Mayu Hanada (10th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Oakland Catholic High School)

Second Place Tie: Rino Terai (10th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Fox Chapel Area High School)

Second Place Tie: Akari Inada (10th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Fox Chapel Area High School)

Third Place: Megu Shima (9th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Fox Chapel Area High School)

Middle School Art Contest Popular Vote: 

First Place: Hadley Edgerton (Sapporo Snow Festival)

Second Place: Kinsey Parsons (Nebuta Matsuri)

Third Place: Max Dowell and Calvin Lanier (both Sapporo Snow Festival)