Posted on May 8, 2026.
The Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation aka Aurora Foundation is pleased to announce that the 21st All-USA High School Japanese Speech Contest will be held in person on Sunday, May 24, 2026 from 12:30 pm at Miyako Hotel Los Angeles, 328 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
This contest provides non-native high school students studying Japanese in the United States with a valuable opportunity to present their speeches in Japanese at the national level. Through this experience, the contest promotes mutual learning among participants, enhances motivation for Japanese language study, and deepens their understanding of Japan and its culture.
The contest has been held continuously for over two decades in support of educational and cultural objectives.
10 contestants of this year are selected through a rigorous screening process from among students who have achieved outstanding results in regional competitions across the United States and have been recommended by their respective organizers. Selected students represent diverse regions, including New York, Texas, Chicago, Alaska, and other areas throughout the country.
Contestants:
Qi Chen キ・チェン 12th Grade
Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA,
「世界の見方を変えてくれた言語」
「The Language That Has Changed My Perspective on the World」
Isaac William Fallin アイザック・ファリン 12th Grade
Richardson High School, Richardson, TX,
「気剣体の一致」
「Ki Ken Tai No Icchi as a Way of Life」
Jeongwon Huh ジョンオン・ハー 9th Grade
Sunset High School, Portland, OR,
「私の願いが 世界を守れるなら」
「A Wish That Could Protect the World」
Onyoo Jung オンユー ・ジョング 11th Grade
Claudia Taylor & Lady Bird & Johnson High School, San Antonio, TX,
「言語によって広がる世界」
「A World Opened through Languages」
Minjun Kim ミンジュン・キム 12th Grade
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, New York, NY
「J-Popが私に教えてくれた日本語と文化」
「What J-Pop Taught Me About Japanese Language and Culture」
Landen Carbonel Lague ランデン・カルボネル・ラギー 12th Grade
Everett Alvarez High School, Salinas, CA
「飛び立つ蝶々」
「A Butterfly’s First Flight」
Ziling Liu リン・リュウ 12th Grade
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, New York, NY
「言葉の外にある世界」
「The World Beyond Words」
Amelie Jane Rennie アメリー・ジェーン・レニー 11th Grade
Deer-Creek Mackinaw High School, Mackinaw, IL
「“頑張る”とは」
「The Meaning of “Ganbaru”」
Emma Yoo Reznik エマ・ユ・レズニク 11th Grade
Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn Heights, NY
「儚さの痛み」
「The Ache of Transience」
Farishta Saeedy ファリシタ・サイーデイ 9th Grade
International school of Beaverton, Beaverton, OR
「平和のいみ」
「The Meaning of Peace」
Official Website: http://www.jlsf-aurora.org/eng http://www.jlsf-aurora.org/eng/page/speech-contest-1
Address: 3119 Nicholas Canyon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90046
aurorafoundation@usa.net