In early April, students from the Japanese 2 and 3 classes traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the 33rd National Japan Bowl, a prestigious quiz competition on Japanese language and culture for high school students. Led by teacher Yoko Eshita, the Level 2 team—Grace Ku, Aki Livingston, and Nuveena Sooriya—placed 11th in the nation, while the Level 3 team—Alyssa Gans, Michelle Idowu, and Rahmat Okegbenro—earned 12th place.
Beyond the competition, students had the chance to connect with peers from across the U.S., explore the city, learn about college opportunities in Japan, and meet with Mr. Hiroshi Ando, Education Counsellor from the Embassy of Japan. The trip concluded with a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.
This enriching experience was made possible by support from the Foundation. Below are reflections from two of our students:
“Participating in the 2025 National Japan Bowl was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my high school journey. I was surrounded by students from across the country who share the same love for Japanese language and culture. The questions were challenging, but the true highlight was the sense of community. Preparing with my teammates brought us closer together, and I left the experience more motivated than ever. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
-Alyssa Gans ’26
“As someone deeply fascinated by the Japanese language and culture, attending Japan Bowl was incredible. From studying to the competition and cultural workshops, the entire experience gave me even more motivation to continue my studies. I’m grateful to the Foundation for making this opportunity possible and highly encourage others to participate.”
-Rahmat Okegbenro ’25