From left to right, front to back: Christine Kimiko Ito, Kristi Yukiko Nakata, Aspasea Elina McKenna, and Izumi Kahokuhulaokekai. (Photo from JQSOW)
The 2013 Washington State Japanese Princesses have been announced. They are Izumi Kahokuhulaokekai Hansen, Christine Kimiko Ito, Aspasea Elina McKenna, and Kristi Yukiko Nakata. The 2013 Washington state Japanese Queen will be selected on May 4.
The Japanese Queen Scholarship program is open to young collegiate Japanese women from the state of Washington. Princesses receive scholarships, awards, and the opportunity to enhance their cultural and community awareness. A community panel selects a queen based on her academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement, personal accomplishments, creative expression, and communication skills. All 2013 participants represent the Japanese Queen Scholarship Organization of Washington at local events throughout their year of service.
Outside of Seattle, participants represent the local Japanese community at the Cherry Blossom Festivals in San Francisco and Honolulu, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in Los Angeles, and a goodwill tour Hyogo Prefecture in Japan — the sister-state of Washington. The organization also sends a participant to represent the Japanese community in the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women in July. The queen travels to attend the annual spring festival in Seattle’s Japanese sister city, Kobe. (end)