The annual Ontario Japanese Speech Contest (OJSC) was held at the University of Toronto on March 5. Nine students from the York University Japanese Studies Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professionals Studies participated in the three categories and took home the top prizes for their efforts.
All the contestants from York University exhibited excellence in the content and performance of their speeches, said Professor Norio Ota, coordinator of the Japanese Studies Program.
The group competed in the beginner, intermediate and senior categories and dominated the intermediate category, competing with the 10 other contestants. York University took home the first prize and the Canon Humor Prize in the advanced category.
In the intermediate category, Lily McDermott took home first prize, Matthew (He) Zhang placed second, and Yong Kim took third.
In the advanced category, Paul Lee placed first and Rong (Tracy) Chen won the Canon Humor Prize.
The first prize winners participated in the National Japanese Speech Contest on March 19.
Coaching the students were Professors Noriko Yabuki-Soh, Kumiko Inutsuka and Akiko Mitsui. The group also worked on the organizing committee. Two students, Bobby Kim and Laina Tsurusaki, who were former prize winners, also assisted these participants.
For further information, visit http://buna.yorku.ca/ojsc/.