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.

2025 Themes

Poster Session: Japanese Songs
Beginner Level: Self-Introduction
Intermediate:  Japanese Songs
Advanced: Japanese Songs
Advanced Plus: Japanese Songs

Heritage: Japanese Songs

 2025 Sponsors

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

The Japan Foundation of Los Angeles

2025 Winners

Poster Session:

First Place: Varun Thangella (11th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School) 

Second Place: Shrey Kachhadiya (9th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Third Place: Eliot (Seohyeon) Kim (9th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Beginner Level:

First Place: Naum Vlahu (10th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Second Place: Ojasi Madhekar (11th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Third Place: Olivia Miller (10th Grade, Commonwealth Charter Academy)

Intermediate Level:

First Place: Chihiro Brentzel (11th Grade, Upper St. Clair High School)

Second Place: Peter Luft (10th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place: Alex Ai (11th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Advanced Level:

First Place: Braiden Bartkins (11th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Second and Third not awarded.

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

Second Place: Bella Minyo (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place Tie: Dylan Lescisin (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Third Place Tie: Madeleine Pintar (12th Grade, Shaler Area High School)

Heritage Level: 

First Place:   Yuzuki Watanabe (11th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Upper St. Clair High School)

Second Place: Hirai Shuda (11th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies) 

Third Place: Kotaro Yoshitomo (11th Grade, Pittsburgh Japanese School/Mars Area High School)

Middle School Art Contest Popular Vote: 

First Place: JJ Dao (Kyogen)

Second Place: John Minyo (Totoro)

Third Place: Blair Adkins (Sushi)