Students excel in speech contest

Students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) made a strong showing in the annual Japanese Speech Contest in Atlanta, Georgia, this spring. Four of them earned top-three recognition in their categories, with another garnering honorable mention.

UNG's award winners were:

Category 4 (advanced Japanese)

• Jacob Bennett, first place
• Matthew Sassack, second place

Category 2 (beginner Japanese)

• William Tarnecki, second place
• Jude Clay, third place
• Isabel Kennison, honorable mention

UNG also had three participants in Category 3: Kyo Estrella, Marrs Stewart and Gwen Marus.

Bennett is a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in Japanese. His speech focused on the idea of reviving "third spaces," places where people can connect outside of home and work.

He appreciated the chance to practice his language skills and experience cultural exchange this spring when 15 students from Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, visited UNG in March. Students also had a chance to work with Dr. Nanako Machida, a Fulbright scholar in residence from Japan who taught at UNG in the spring.

"All the students did an excellent job despite their busy schedules. I was particularly impressed by how even those who were initially nervous found the courage to take on the challenge," Machida said. "Their collaboration with the Nanzan students, together with the support from their peers and instructors, as well as the encouragement from the Nanzan students who came to cheer them on at the contest, seems to have been a significant source of strength."

Bennett was likewise grateful for the role Dr. Tomoe Nishio, associate professor of Japanese, played in his success.

"It's clear how meaningful the event is for all the participating universities' Japanese programs, and it's meaningful to me that I was selected and encouraged to participate," Bennett said. "It was not an individual effort either. Dr. Nishio put in a great deal of effort in coordinating the event, assisting everyone with their speeches and hosting practice sessions. My performance during the contest is in no small part due to dedicated effort from Dr. Nishio and Dr. Machida."

Kennison, a sophomore from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in history and a minor in Japanese, said UNG professors make learning Japanese fun. Taking those skills into a competition only accelerated her growth.

"It helped me learn better and made me more confident in my speaking," Kennison said.

Sawako Tsutsumi, lecturer of Japanese, teaches Tarnecki and Sassack.

"I am impressed with our students' dedication to the speech contest. They devoted extra hours outside class, revising scripts, practicing and refining their delivery, even over spring break," Tsutsumi said. "Watching their performances on stage was an absolute joy. I am extremely proud of them."