Nisei Week Queen 2015 Sara Kuniko Hutter, center, and courts. Photo by Toyo Miyatake Studio. Courtesy of the Nisei Week Foundation.
Sara Kuniko Hutter was crowned the 75th Nisei Week Queen Aug. 15 night at the coronation held at the Aratani Japan America Theater in Little Tokyo.
Hutter’s parents, Ralph and Joy Hutter, with her family, friends and sponsors, the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council, shook the full-house after masters of ceremonies KABC-TV anchor David Ono and actress Tamlyn Tomita announced her name.
Six other ladies also took center stage to compete for the title of the 2015 Nisei Week Queen including: First Princess Veronica Toyomi Ota, Miss Tomodachi Karen Nana Mizoguchi, Princess Michelle Kaori Hanabusa, Princess Kelsey Nakaji Kwong, Princess Camryn Michiko Rie Sugita, and Princess Tamara Mieko Teragawa.
Six judges selected Hutter, who in her two-minute speech talked about being selected captain of the high school basketball team – an experience where she learned that leadership isn’t about being the best but about empowering others and working as a team to meet their goals.
Hutter is 22 years old and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in communication, from the University of Southern California.
She currently works part-time on the production team at SockPrints, a company that manufactures custom socks. She plans to work in the public affairs or non-profit sector and find a career in which she can help others and make a difference in the community.
During her free time, she enjoys playing basketball, traveling, hiking, watching movies, and trying new restaurants. Hutter will support the National Psoriasis Foundation as her platform.