On March 10th, 2012, the 14th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Seventeen students from the St. Mary's University Japanese Language Programme participated in all the category levels.
Out of the nine major awards in the four different categories, St. Mary's won eight of them (including all the top prizes)!
Two students from the university have been selected to represent the Atlantic region at the National Japanese Speech contest, which will be held in Vancouver on March 31st, 2012.
What a great accomplishment! Congratulations to you all and good luck to the two students who are on their way to the Nationals! Gambatte kudasai!
"The students’ speeches were creative, passionate and artistic. They raised important problems and introduced new places. Some were like paintings with words. It was a very long day but everyone enjoyed themselves. Many commented on how polite, thoughtful and supportive of each other our students were. I am happy to see how culture becomes part of their training and every day life." Dr. Alexandre Avdulov, Programme Coordinator
Photo courtesy of Dr. Alexandre Avdulov.