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Events
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2011 Nisei Week Queen Candidates
All photos courtesy Toyo Miyatake Studios
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Erika Mariko Olsen
2011 Nisei Week Queen
Erika Mariko Olsen is 22 years old and graduated cum laude from the Bob Cole Conservatory
of Music at California State University of Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in Music
Performance. Olsen is an aspiring performer of the arts and looks forward to playing in
leading musical and opera roles. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, playing the piano,
swimming, hiking, climbing, biking, knitting, dance, art, opera, musical theatre and being
a part of the Grateful Crane Youth Group Singers. This year Olsen will be supporting
Classroom Connections as her platform.
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Mimi Mitsuko Yang
First Princess
Mimi Mitsuko Yang is 22 years old and is recently graduated from the University of
California, Los Angeles where she double majored in International Economics and Japanese
and received her bachelor of arts degree. Yang's career goal is to become a healthcare
executive who creates affordable, quality care for the community. In her spare time,
Yang enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, snowboarding and making jewelry. This year Yang
will be supporting the International Medical Corps as her platform.
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Kay A. Yamaguchi
Miss Tomodachi
Kay A. Yamaguchi is 24 years old and graduated from the University of California,
Irvine, with a major in Economics and minor in Accounting. Yamaguchi currently works
for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and aspires to be promoted and transferred to their Tokyo,
Japan, office, to further her pursuit in international business. In her free time she
enjoys traveling, learning new languages, dancing and snowboarding. This year Yamaguchi
will be supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank as her platform.
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Leann Fumiko Fujinami
Princess
Leann Fumiko Fujinami is 21 years old and graduated from the University of California,
Irvine in 2011. Fujimani received her Bachelor of Arts degree in art history. Leann
would like to pursue a career in art administration. Her favorite pastimes include
running, swimming, art and shopping. This year Fujinami will be supporting the Be the
Match Donor Organization.
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Jessica Makiko Kanai
Princess
Jessica Makiko Kanai is 22 years old and graduated from San Diego State University in 2010
with a bachelor degree in Recreation and Tourism Management and an emphasis in Systems
Management. Kanai currently works at the Little Tokyo Service Center as a Service
Coordinator in the Senior Services Department. Kanai plans to continue working in the
Japanese American community to help preserve the Japanese culture and its' heritage.
In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, watching musicals, trying new
restaurants, going to Disneyland, and volunteering for Konnichiwa Little Tokyo.
This year, Kanai will be supporting Vista Del Mar as her platform.
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Michi Renee Lew
Princess
Michi Renee Lew is 22 years old and recently graduated from the California State University
of Los Angeles, where she received her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. Lew would
like to pursue a career in education and become a middle school teacher, student activities
director and to end her career as a school administrator. Her hobbies include playing and
coaching basketball, swimming, reading, hiking and making ribbon leis. The platform Lew
has decided to support this year is the Happy Hearts Fund (HHF).
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Melissa Ayumi Nishimura
Princess
Melissa Ayumi Nishimura is 23 years old and graduated from the University of California,
Los Angeles, where she received her bachelor of arts in Economics, with a double minor
Accounting and Asian American Studies. Her hobbies include basketball, Hawaiian and
Tahitian dance, trying new restaurants, taking care of her dog, Colbie, and watching
Friends re-runs on television. This year Nishimura will be supporting the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as her platform.
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Amber Akemi Piatt
Princess
Amber Akemi Piatt is 23 years old and graduated from the University of California,
Los Angeles, with a double major in Psychology and Spanish. Piatt's professional
career goal is to start a non-profit organization that addresses the needs of
bi-cultural families in order to help parents and their children to embrace their
roots, while teaching them ways to be competitive in American society. She currently
works for the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute doing research on treatment programs
for traumatized children. Her hobbies include photography, yoga, hiking, dancing,
going to concerts, traveling and baking. The platform Piatt chose to support this
year is Off the Mat and into the World.
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