Army civilian at Camp Zama makes lasting impact on local Japanese high school students

ZAMA, Japan - "The advice Mr. Mauricio gave me - not to be afraid of making mistakes when studying English - has truly been deeply engraved in my heart."

Shizuku Katsuma, a 10th grader at Zama High School, had that to say about John Mauricio, a U.S. Army employee at Camp Zama, Japan, who imparted the advice to her while he was at the school Jan. 27 serving as a volunteer judge for an English-language speech contest.

Mauricio, the airfield operations and safety manager assigned to the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, said engaging with one's neighboring community is important, particularly for U.S. government personnel working overseas. This year was his second time helping with the school's speech contest.

When Camp Zama Soldiers, civilians and family members interact with and get to know the citizens from the surrounding cities of Zama and Sagamihara, it helps to "share the spirit" of host-nation partnership that U.S. military installations overseas are meant to embody, Mauricio said.

"I really love promoting how great of a community that we have here at Camp Zama," he said.

Mauricio also shared a sentiment that surely resonates with many Americans living and working overseas.

He has Japanese friends and co-workers who have helped him learn the host language and navigate daily life in Japan, and he views the volunteering he does as a vital way to return the favor. And while he appreciates students like Katsuma expressing their gratitude for him, Mauricio said he ultimately gains more from them through his interactions.

"I was so moved and inspired by all the students today," he said. "They give me so much energy, and it makes me want to be better at my studies [and] be better at my job and everything I do."

Katsuma, who ultimately won second place in the contest, further expressed her gratitude to Mauricio and the other judges because she said she otherwise doesn't have many chances to talk and interact with native English speakers.

Because Camp Zama is so near her school, Katsuma said she often hears Americans speaking English. This motivated her to study the language and eventually enter the speech contest as a way to connect and communicate with them, she said.

"I hope today's exchange will be the start of me being able to speak with English-speaking people who live in the area."